Customer Reviews

O.U.T. (On Ultimate Things)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I found Kirsty Hawkshaw, as many have, through her vocals with the now-defunct band Opus III. While I love the music on Opus III's two albums ("Mind Fruit" and "Guru Mother"), I was most struck by the etheral, subtly powerful voice that sang for almost every song. I made a mental note of her name, and in the intervening time I heard her vocals sampled for music by Orbital, as well as two new songs for the band Delerium.

Her work on her solo album, "O.U.T." (On Ultimate Things), is some of her best. Where before she was always singing someone else's songs, I get the distinct sense from this album that it is her music and nobody else's. It has a strong variety and a unique sound, and much of it is dramatically different from what we've heard from her elsewhere.

The lead track, "Leafy Lane," is the perfect way to set the tone for the whole album. It's a sexy, smooth song, Kirsty as I know and love her... but better. Her singing here is soft and sultry, ideally suited to the instrumentation. It's one of the strongest songs on the whole CD, which is filled with some really excellent work.

My personal favorite song, because it seems to tell an mysterious story, is "Chapter 8." Kirsty alternates between soft and powerful vocals here, and the lyrics suggest a story deeper than what they literally reveal. Listening to the song, I never fail to find myself imagining what it's talking about. Though it's never said with clarity, I find my self imagining "the meaning behind Chapter 8."

"Sci-Clone" is probably the biggest surprise on the whole album. If you've heard Kirsty Hawkshaw before, you probably recognize her for her breathy vocal style. She abandons that completely for this song, adopting a powerful, loud voice to scream out the lyrics against a fuzzy, technological beat. It's not at all what I expected from her when I bought the album, but it was delightful nonetheless.

I don't need to go through each song, but will only conclude by saying that each song on "O.U.T." has its own unique flavor and sound, and they're all good in their own way. Though the album is only available as an import, and is thus fairly pricey, it's one of the best single CD's I own, and it was worth everything I spent on it and then some. It has my highest recommendation, and I find myself looking forward anxiously to new solo work from Ms. Hawkshaw.

Kirsty Hawkshaw is the voice behind the band Opus III, a band that became extremely popular in Europe in 1992 with their hit "It's a Fine Day" and later on in 1994 with their songs "When You Made The Mountain", "Dreaming Of Now" and "Hand In Hand". Well this album isn't in the style of Opus III, musically, so you won't find any club anthems here, just the pure crystal clear voice of Kirsty, in some very emotional, esoteric, thoughtful songs. Kirsty's voice is SO unique, one could compare her to many well known singers such as Sinead O'Connor (on "Chapter 8"), Bjork (on "Cyclone"), Dido or Portishead. The CD is jazzy at times, and at times very mellow with beautiful etherial piano compositions. I absolutely love the acappella bonus track, where it showcases Kirsty's high note hitting voice. She is definitely an artist that deserves more fame and recognition. I must say I find the song "Mercury" very emotional. This album is full of feeling, experimentation, and overall a good listen for all fans of modern music. I loved her in Opus III ever since I lived in Greece and I love her now solo, hopefully we'll hear more from her in the future, in any form of music, electronica or pop. Her collaboration with BT on the song "Dreaming" is also noteworthy, but if you'd like a more mellow listen I strongly suggest this album.

This is a beautiful album. It takes me away to a dreary day in London, walking through the fog, being depressed about something and only finding solace in the sky just because it seems to scream "freedom."

WHY IS THIS NOT READILY AVAILABLE? Come on, record company people... get your acts together and promote things like this. You do it for Dido and Enya, you do it for Sarah and Tori and Fiona... and this is on par with all of them and still has its own personality. Brilliance, diversity, poetry, emotion, it's all here. People would eat this up if they knew about it.

I dare you to find a song as heartstopping as Orange or as insane as Sci-Clone. I dare you to find lyrics as thought-provoking as those on Chapter 8 or melodies as melancholy as those on River.

Kirsty is a true goddess of music and there is something otherworldly about her that I have yet to put into words.

First time I have heard Kirsty it was with the video of "sci-clone". My mental things were like in a earthquake. UNBELIEVABLE. In france it's very hard to find her cd "O-U-T", but i have it now. This album is so pure, full of feelings (often sads), with a eternal dimension who come through your brain and stay for the life. "Mercury" is the most beautiful song never released by an artist. Note the other ones fabulous songs : "Sci-Clone" , "On Ultimate Things" and "Orange". In one word , the album "O-U-T" is THE album of all time. Kirsty we love you , your voice is a medic for this poor earth so sick.

Kirsty Hawkshaw's debut album is not easy to find in stores and anyone who checks this out on amazon[.com] should definetely buy it . The music is ethereal , the voice is beautifull , the lyrics too . " Leafy Lane " , " Sciclone " and " Chapter eight " are all amazing electronica gems yet do focus more on tracks like " Orange " or " The Bigger Picture " whose sensitivity brings tears .

It's beyond dispute that OUT is an exquisite album. Kirst Hawkshaw merges manifold emotions with mesmerizing melodies that are able to enthrall you for more than one hour uninterruptedly. Not only Kirsty's ethereal voice but also her song-writing captivate the listener right at the first track "Leafy Lane". "Chapter 8", "Sci-Clone", "On Ultimate Things", "For You" and "Dis-Affected" are moving and much intense, other songs such as "River", "Mercury" and "Smile" are more down-tempo and blue. So it's a relaxing and romantic album, don't listen to it everywhere but when you're alone or with your lover. It can serve as a perfect musical background for the most romantic moments.
However, beware that this album is a deep one!

As you listen to Kirsty's silky voice you start a green trip through the most interesting shades of vocalizations and flavors an album can give you. It's really a masterpiece. Let's wait for her next one. OUT is perfect.

Broad-ranging, intelligent, sweet-sounding, this seeming return to innocence (the piping at the end of Orange (and the album) reminiscent of that beginning Blake's Songs of Innocence) is lyrically fresh, covering both old and new ground. She is clearly influenced by Blake, with Smile resonating all those allegorical Blakian truths.

Sensitivity was never an easy thing to express by music.Geniun
sensitivity that is.Ex-Opus III lead singer Kirtsy Hawkshaw seems not
to have any trouble doing so though.Already by the first track
"Leafy Lane" the listener finds Hawkshaw alieneted in her own
dreamy world.She seems to be fascinated by the beauty of nature's
elements.She sings about "the world of life which goes by
everyday","the life with no ending" and "the
fearless love in there".Gifted with an angelic voice which at
times brings Tori Amos in mind,Kirsty doesn't really need to try too
hard to express her different moods.She sounds sweetly vulnerable on
"One Moment",then angry and passioned on
"Sciclone",calm and gentle on "River".It's the
originallity and innocence of "On Ultimate things" that
makes it as unique as it is.

This was the best album I purchased in 1998. Kirsty has a lovely, emotional voice. Looking forward to her new material with Delerium and the other artists she is working with.