Customer Reviews

Uppers & Downers

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4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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Upon receiving "Uppers and Downers," I sat down with a book and listened to both CDs back to back. It was two hours incredibly well spent - and here I go again, listening to them once more.

The album entitled "Uppers" does not pretend that life is all puppies and roses. Instead, the songs remind us that love and happiness can come in many forms. "Different Kind of Wonderful" kicks off the album with an upbeat punch, happily reminding me of singer Jessica Riddle. From the all-too-true "Oblivious" (Mr. Oblivious / Love can so easily be found / Just turn around) to the perky "Don't Wanna Love You" (I don't wanna love you / No, I don't wanna love you / 'Cause if I go on and love you / And you go / What then?) the full music surrounds you and makes you tap your toes. "Dirty Girl" has an undeniably catchy melody coupled with dark lyrics. The cover of Aerosmith's "Dream On" is its own piece, not attempting to compete with the original but instead Fisher's own take on the powerful anthem. Television watchers will recognize this version of "L-O-V-E" from the Chrysler car commercial. Most powerful of all is "Closer," a heartwrenching track that builds and builds as it progresses, the type of tune that surround sound was created for.

"Uppers" gives you something to wake up to; "Downers" gives you something to sleep to. This second album is not depressing, but rather raw pain played out for all to see. "Downers" offers piano accompanyment where the other CD had electric guitars. We meet a wide cast of characters - the seductive "Miss Ophelia," Karl, who is "Missing," the hesitant "Rianna," the thoughtful "Miss Kathleen," and others. It also has a great deal of yearning, but without being overdramatic and sappy, on songs like "Believe in Something" (If I could just believe in something / If I could just believe in anything at all / If I could just believe in anyone / I'd be happy). "Rianna" is a beautiful waltz; the word striking comes to mind.

Prepare yourself for a different kind of storytelling. Expect melodies that will stick in your head and lyrics that will haunt you. I highly recommend both of these albums. I applaud Fisher for creating and sharing 23 new tracks with the world in this day and age when CDs seem to be getting shorter and more commercial. "Uppers + Downers" is an amazing double disc release that I cannot recommend highly enough.

If a great voice, lyrics and music automatically made one popular, Fisher would be at the top of the charts; such is not always the case, unfortunately. With True North, I was a worm on a Fish(er) hook and now more so with the release of Uppers and Downers. At first play the Uppers CD grabs you with great pop sensibility, introspective words and that voice that just doesn't let go. I couldn't pull the disk from my player after just one spin, it was that good, but I just had to hear the second CD; the Downers. How anyone could have called such heartfelt beautiful music "Downers" boggles my mind. Sure lost love can put a damper on one's mood but the enlightenment that can come from reflection can never be depressing.
I couldn't have asked for more with this release, it's the best Fisher has ever offered and lots more.

These albums have been the best purchase I have made all year.The lyrics,melodies and production are fantastic.These artist really love what they do and it shows.

This is one of those CDs you listen to and realize why you love music so much! The emotion roller coaster you evoke upon is brilliant! The music of Uppers is an exciting and interesting. Not my favorite disc but still worthy. "Dream On" is the best song on that CD Followed close by the sexy and seductive "Mrs.Ophelia"!! Downers is amazingly beautiful and painful. By far the best CD Ive ever purchased!! "Ordinary Moment" is a nice song, gets alil sappy towards the end but still good. "Missing" Theres nothing to say that will do this song justice, I cryed the first time I heard its soo painful and honest. The best song on the CD. Other amazing tracks include "Something To Believe In" Happy playful but still honest. "Too Late" My second favorite. Again you feel the heart breaking pain she feels. Her voice and musical arrangement is amazing! I wish this CD was more popular than it is..or does it make it that much more personal? Hmm you decide...

A two record set from a label-less band with only one prior release to its credit, and even that gorgeous record with little or no airplay beyond the haunting ballad " I Will Love You"? Are they crazy? Thankfully for those of who still think of good music as art and not commerce, "crazy" can be terribly rewarding. Fisher has held nothing back in this dynamic and unpredictable set. The music speaks many languages, and lyrically the album hones in on the full spectrum of human emotion. Though distinctly styled "uppers" and "downers", neither disc can nor need be relegated to a particular frame of mind. Kathy Fisher's full throated whisper is evocative of many moods in even a single song! The lament "Ordinary Moment", at the heart of the "downers" record, somehow seems so hopeful in her hands, while the rapturous "Temptations" is almost scandalous on any record with the title "uppers". Other highlights from "downers" include "My Fantasy", "Missing" and "February 1994", while "uppers" features two stirring covers, "Dream On" and "L-O-V-E", ( The latter of which is used to sell cars by Chrysler{nothing wrong with a little commerce to pay the bills!}) and several wonderful new songs, including "Dirty Girl" and "Closer". Of course, as spectacular as Kathy Fisher's voice is, The composition and production quality on this record stands out as well. Ron Wasserman's patience with a song and attention to the most particular production detail on the record leaves repeat listeners with rewards that single spinners might miss.
"Uppers & Downers" is truly a music lovers record, and Fisher is a band that music lovers must support so that they may survive in the franchised world of corporate rock.

I have been a Fisher fan for almost 2 years now and didn't think that UPPERS & DOWNERS could compare to TRUE NORTH but I WAS WRONG!
The first CD, UPPERS, is incredible! With tracks like NOTHING IS REAL, DIRTY GIRL and a great cover of Aerosmith's DREAM ON, you can put this cd is and just let it repeat! and repeat! and repeat!
The second CD, DOWNERS is a wonderful mix of smooth songs that are perfect for a night in front of the fire with that special someone!
Kathy Fisher has an AMAZING voice! The best way that I can describe it is VELVET! It is smooth and sultry and can make you melt!
Fisher has come through again!...

Uppers and Downers is a self-contained gauntlet of emotion. This collection of songs moves from scratching the surface of perkiness and joy, to quirky frank commentaries, to the ache of the hungry soul. There wasn't a single track that I felt the need to skip past; each one was a delight. Kathy Fisher possesses the amazing ability to mold her voice to fit the mood. She seldom repeats the tone or the nuance of the song. The music will echo in your mind long after both discs end, begging you to hit play again.

You can't go wrong with this two-disc set.
Uppers has the melodies and lyrics that stick in your head and won't let go. A favorite, 'Dirty Girl' will have you singing(or as in my case, humming) along to the chorus, while 'Temptation' eerily floats around the room.
Downers is actually my favorite of the two discs. The music mesmerizes while Kathy's voice soothes the soul. 'My Fantasy' and 'Miss Ophelia' give just a hint into Fisher's world.
Kathy and Ron have done it again with this set. The only thing better were if they came over to play the music for you. One can 'Dream On'!

This is actually a review of a song that I know only a brief piece of, that is, "Beautiful Life" the song in a Toyota T.V. commerical - the one where a tire rolls through all the scenes. The lyrics are "It's a beautiful day, it's a beautiful world, it's a beautiful time to be here." I searched the internet to find what this song was and the enthusiasm is HUGE. I hope this song in it's entirety ends up on a future album - please Kathy Fisher. What a great voice and I LOVE this song.

Most of today's popular music should end up flushed down the toilet. Thankfully, that is where this CD started and has ended up somewhere we haven't been, but are happy to go again and again.

Kathy Fisher came up with the idea for this double CD in the bathroom of a German delicatessen. She thought an up-tempo beat would disillusion the downtrodden masses that flocked to her break out CD, "True North". True that! So, she plotted a course for out of miseryland and back again. With two CDs, you choose your mood, but there are still some worthy surprises.

The biggest shocker was "Dream On". Bostonians take as much pride in Steven and Joe as we do Paul Revere and telling the British where to shove thier tea. The reason so few covers work is that they are done by bands that already sound like Aerosmith. Kathy updates this classic with great reverence and originality.

Another cool surprise is the song "L-O-V-E"! You know, that hot girl who steals that guys car in the Chrysler add...Yup that song! The full-length version makes me want to do a full monty number. I don't expect anyone would want to see me do it, but that's my fantasy.

P@

Pat Keating
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