Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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30 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well Worth the Wait, August 1, 2002
Wonderful Beth is something of an enigma. On first listen, her collections always sound bland. Nice, sweet, haunting, even--but bland. But somehow, the listener always wants to hear the CD "just one more time."And one more time after that. And each time, the subtle poetry of Beth Orton, her unique voice, her use of music as a key to unlocking her (and our) most private thought just grows and grows.A friend of mine bought this CD the first day it was available (as did I). We both thought it was nice, but ordinary. Yesterday we discussed it again. I admitted I can't stop listening, and that I find something new every time I do. My friend agreed entirely, and gave what has to be the most understated compliment of all: "This one's a grower." And so it is. Give it a listen and be enchanted.
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20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Between a Rock and a hard place?, August 8, 2002
I usually come to a review wanting it to answer one simple question for me: should I buy this CD or not? The trouble is, while the question is simple, the answer is not. Let's try to deconstruct the reasons why you might consider buying this album:
1: Beth Orton fan with both her previous albums? Buy it. If you're looking for the lyrical splendour of 'Blood Red River' or 'Devil Song' from the Central Reservation album, you may be disappointed: this collection doen't have Beth reaching deep into your soul and tugging it inside out in that way. But, having not played it for several days, I awoke this morning to find 'anywhere' buzzing around in my head and demanding to be played.
2: Ryan Adams fan, looking for a Ryan fix before his next album (I thought he was going to release four this year - what happened to that?). Hesitate. He backs Beth on a couple of songs, (and sounds eerily like a young Elton John in places on Concrete Sky), and wrote one of the songs in the collection exclusively for her (this one's gonna bruise). But it doesn't sound like a Ryan Adams song as delivered by Beth. God Song comes closest to any alt Country heritage, but that's more Emmylou Harris influenced than Ryan influenced.
3: Chemical Bros fan/Everything but the Girl Fan, wanting more of that oeuvre? Depends. If you've heard Beth's voice on CB recordings and love it, go ahead. But you won't find a lot of their brand of music here - she's got a very distinctive place, and it's far away from theirs.
4: Simply curious about an artist you don't know who has a top-selling album out. Buy it. Then go out and buy Central Reservation and Trailer Park. But only if you like great melodies, beautiful lyrics, and a heart-rending voice. Otherwise leave it alone.
Some have commented on the version of Carmella on the album, and pointed out that it's not as good as the version on the EP. I tend to agree - I can't decide if that's because I heard the four tet remix first or not. Which brings me to the final point. Beth seems to by trying to shake off her 'downbeat' image - especially in concert. She's definitely blasting out the songs on this album on tour at the moment - and doing some rock chick posturing on stage. Which might put her in the no-man's land between true rock chick, and lyrical songstress in which people tend to get ignored or torn apart. I'd vote she stays with the songstress.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Jaw-droppingly beautiful!!, October 14, 2005
I had never heard anything by British singer/songwriter Beth Orton before this CD. My introduction to Beth was on the inflight entertainment of a British Airways flight where 3 cuts off this CD were featured; `Concrete sky', `Paris train' and the title track `Daybreaker'. Those were enough to convince me to get the CD.
Melancholic and atmospheric soft acoustic folk/rock with a dash of electronica best describes this beautiful CD, a #40 hit on the billboard album charts. Like a number of reviewers have mentioned, repeated play reveals more subtleties of this stark serene beauty.
`Paris train' is a lilting ballad with gently jangling guitars and forlorn strings. In a similar vein is `Mount Washington'. `Concrete sky' is more upbeat (but still delicate) with Ryan Adams harmonizing on the chorus.
One of my favourites is the horn drenched delicate `Anywhere' with a faint jazzy/Caribbean atmosphere and swirling strings. Jaw-droppingly beautiful!! The upbeat `Daybreaker' filled with pulsing and haunting jerky synthesizer effects, and hollow beats is another highlight. A trip hop delight!
`Ted's waltz' is a delicate ballad with faint shuffling percussion, shimmery guitars, and a wistful vocal performance from Beth.
Introspective, serene and beautiful. I'll be looking out for more of her music.
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