Hear My Cry

Sonique

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 15, 2000)
• Original Release Date: February 15, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Umvd Labels
• ASIN: B00004NKBF
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #98,475 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A pair of uptempo, minor-key tunes kick off this Brit diva's debut CD. The catchy opener, "It Feels So Good," recalls both '80s freestyle and Cher's wildly successful hit single "Believe." The next track, "I Put a Spell on You," is "inspired by" (as the CD's sleeve puts it) Screamin' Jay Hawkins's classic R&B gem of the same name. The new version has none of the 1956 original's over-the-top sense of absurdity and abandon; Sonique's "Spell" is a lean machine fueled by a disco bass throb, festooned by strings, and graced by Sonique's stylish vocals. Hear My Cry covers a lot of dance territory, from the dressed-up funk of "Are You Ready?" to the techno-tinged house of "Love Is on Our Side." The album also includes an R&B slow jam ("Drama"), gloomy trip-hop ("Empty [Hideaway]"), and a piano ballad ("Learn to Forget"). A fair amount of the disc's tracks are pedestrian, but what makes just about any of them worth checking out is Sonique's distinctive voice, an instrument with an unusual grain to it. --Fred Cisterna

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The first track is brillant..., February 19, 2000

By	njaya (Midwest City, OK United States) - See all my reviews

For everyone hoping this CD is going to be eleven more songs like "It Feels So Good," be warned. It is not. This CD is more of an R&B/Soul influenced release and not a dance-oriented CD. Don't get me wrong, the CD is good. It's just not what mostly everyone is expecting if they're fans of the first track. It is almost an experimentation of styles ranging from ballad(#12), Chaka Khan-ish 80's sounding dance music(#3), to current Thunderpuss 2000 remixed dance music(#10 and #11). For those fans of track #1, you'll love "Move Closer." It's an erotic dance tune that's not too quick and not too slow. "I want to touch you, so move a little closer" Very cool. "Empty(Hideaway)" is a Massive Attack-ish sounding song on desperate love "I have this thought in my head, and it's about being noticed" It's very elegant and soothing with an electronic sensuousness to it...beautiful. "Love Is On Our Side" is a smash waiting to happen. It is produced by Thunderpuss 2000(responsible for Whitney Houston's latest dance mixes and Amber's "Sexual" club mix). Pure dance music is the only way to describe it. "Sky" is good, but never goes anywhere. You would expect more from the mixers of "Sexual" combining with one of its co-writers(Rick Nowels). Same for #2. It opens with this spinning, orchestral synth line that just grabs you and the chorus has a bubbling undercurrent that suggests it's going to explode any second...it doesn't. Just an average dance song. Track #5 is a duet, but you can't really tell it. Their voices sound so much alike and Sonique doesn't come in until way into the song. She is almost a backup singer and not an equal duet partner. I honestly wouldn't have known it was a duet if I hadn't have looked at the song credits. If you're looking for a euro-soul type of CD, kind of like M People, go for it. If you're looking for dance, be warned. You might want to wait and go for the remixes which will probably be more to your taste.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sonique Pushes Dance back to airwaves where it belongs!, May 10, 2000

By	Andy McRill (USA) - See all my reviews

Even stubborn radio programmers, who usually say NO to dance music, could not resist this sweet sensation! I remember this singer from a group back in the early 90s called S'Express. I loved that album and I am glad that Sonique was able to get a recording contract with Republic/Universal, because she has such a different, interesting voice. And speaking of Republic, you gotta give them props for introducing all of these new dance acts to the U.S., like Sonique, Alice Deejay and Tina Cousins!

"Hear My Cry" is a masterful blend of mostly dance beats with a couple R&B pleasures thrown in for good measure. Lead single "It Feels So Good" is cutting-edge dance music with its electronic syncopated rhythms, not just your average house beat. "Move Closer" and "Can't Get Enough" are slammin' house songs!

A surprise on the album is "Drama" which actually might make it onto R&B radio airwaves. Its a nice R&B ballad duet with an unknown male singer. Very impressive and it shows Sonique's versatility.

I would say the main attraction on this CD is Sonique's unique voice which can at times be very captivating. I hope to hear more from her in the future. Also, this CD can be played at home as well as in the clubs. Thoroughly satisfying.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fall Under Sonique's Spell, May 14, 2000

By	"d-moonshadow" (MA, United States) - See all my reviews

"It Feels So Good" begins what might be one of the most interesting dance releases of 2000. With her unique voice, Sonique captivates her audience with her blend of electronica/dance/r&b. "I Put A Spell On You" is a throbbing house track, while "Are You Ready" is 70s soul funk. "Move Closer" is a sensual journey into late night clubbing. The reggae-tinged "Can't Get Enough" is another winner on the CD, which could be a single soon. "Love Is On Our Side", produced by the famous Thunderpuss 2000 team, is really a hit waiting to happen. The end of the CD slows it down, with "Sky", a great pop song which could also be a hit, and "Learn To Forget", a piano-based ballad which I can also see as a single. This is a solid packaging of songs that show off Sonique's great original voice.