Customer Reviews

Yann Tiersen & Shannon Wright

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

 

 

This is nothing short of a beatuiful album. The combination of Yann Tiersen's awe inspiring instrumentation and Shannon Wright's gut wrenchingly emotional lyrics is a one of a kind masterpiece. It helps if you're already a fan of either one's work, but that certainly isn't a prerequisite to enjoy this album. There are 10 songs here and none of them disappoint in the least bit. They take turns with the instruments, but because they work so well together, it's often hard to tell who is responsible for which parts of the songs. The moods range from somber, to hopeful, to lashing out at the world, and then back to peacefulness again. There are streaming versions of all the songs on the wonderfully designed website www.yanntiersen-shannonwright.com, as well as lots of photos and a short movie. I hope this album gets as much exposure as i think it deserves, because whoever doesn't hear this is really missing out.

Shannon Wright's recorded output has grown more and more interesting since her solo debut Flight Safety. From Maps of Tacit up through Over the Sun, her lyrics and music have just gotten more powerful. But I was very surprised to hear about this project and intrigued to get it when it came out. What we have is at least up there with the best of Shannon's solo work. The album is softer than Wright's recent releases, but very interesting. Tiersen's musical arrangements are at the forefront, but Wright also contributes to the instrumentation. I find track 6, right now anyhow, "While You Sleep" to be the best intertwining of their separate styles, both come across strongly and the result is very interesting. This is not Tiersen's more upbeat style that some may remember from what was compiled for the Amelie score. Still, those who were introduced to his work through that may still find much to like here as well.

some would consider this an unlikely combination. but not if you actually listen
to either artist. yann's excellent 'le phare' is quite close to this collaboration....
i had to pick up my copy in paris, not being able to snag one in store- i like to support stores that go this exrta length. but back to the music. i dont think a
piece of work has given me such joy in afew years, and believe me, i listen to almost
everything. i cant even single out fave tracks- it becomes one lovely opera to me.
if you liked pj harvey's last (uh-huh-her) or marianne faithfull's latest, youll love this.
cant recommend it highly enough. stephen spera

I had read mixed reviews of this CD, and so I had it lower on the priority list of CD's to buy. But it really is a beautiful CD. Yann does a wonderful job with the compositions that really tap into a pleasing aesthetic. Shannon's voice, which I have always enjoyed, is not the primal rocker that comes out on CD's like Maps of Tacit; instead, it's delicate and touching. This CD is very good for a relaxing, calming, reflection and remembering good things.

I wasn't disappointed.

Words can not describe the beauty of this work. Yann Tiersen is really one of the most important artist of our time. He is a genius with melody and dynamics.

Shannon Wright gives a spooky yet touching feel to the music. The interlock of musical ideas and deep feeling of love, loss, and isolation make this one of my top albums of the past 10 years.

I bought this when it came out in 2004 and it is still in heavy rotation as with all of Tiersen's work.

Wright's vocal do little but frustrate Tiersen's melody. She is consistently off-pitch, consistently over dramatic and breathy, and the lyrics read like something out a highschool journal, one with READ OR DIE poured over it in black sharpie. I was hopeful - after the first 4 tracks, which are the best on the record, I was hopeful that they would be able to tie it all together. The mood was lush and interesting - Yann has done a nice job, but still I cringe with every listen.
Maybe I will grow to appreciate Wright's vocals, but I don't think so. Tiersen may not be good enough to make this good enough to buy.