The Big Room [Enhanced]

M2M

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 5, 2002)
• Original Release Date: February 26, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Atlantic / Wea
• ASIN: B00005Y4OZ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (82 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #133,638 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This Norwegian duo transcended the glossy teen-pop sound of their debut Shades of Purple through sincere performances and good songwriting. With their sophomore set, Marion Raven (vocals/keyboards) and Marit Larsen (vocals/guitars) take an organic, live approach to their music as they enlist the support of rock veterans including drummer Kenny Aronoff, bassist T-Bone Wolk, and guitarist Jimmy Bones. The results range from tender ballads to energetic pop-rockers. M2M continue to distinguish themselves not only by their catchy vocal harmonies and songwriting talent but by shirking clichés. They don't serenade boys with cutesy ballads, nor do they flaunt sexual innuendoes. This is teen-pop with a genuine sense of romanticism and innocence lacking from the Britneys, Mandys, and Christinas of the world. Marion and Marit's well-crafted songs don't just deal with being and falling in love, they deal with hurt and disappointment. They even get downright catty on "Jennifer," their ode to female jealousy, and give "Miss Popular" a taste of exclusion. Although they may not yet have achieved the multiplatinum American status of other teen singers, the women of M2M should prove to have a much longer career. --Bryan Reesman

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!! JUST COMPLETELY AMAZING!!, March 6, 2002

By	Tam (Garden Grove, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Ok, let see... Im one of those type of guys who dislike Pop music. I usually go to Virgin Megastore and pick out albums I have never even heard of. When I was there looking at albums, I ran into this one M2M "The Big Room"! The thing that appealed to me was the album cover. The two girls are very beautiful. At first I was skeptical... I was like blah! Another Pop group. But it's not, it's a duo! (A Talented one too) SO I bought it (I like experimenting with albums) I got home and popped it in... and my JAWS TOTALLY DROPPED! My money was well spent, I am telling you! THINK ABOUT IT!! These young girls play and write their own music! When was the last time you have ever came upon artists like that?? I mean WOW!! This album is AMAZING! I cannot stop saying it! I bet all of you would LOVE this album! I love Punk music and New Rock... and me listening to this? HAH! But PLEASE DON'T mistake M2M as just dumb POP! They are soooo acoustic and drums its really UNBELIEVABLE!! You want to know how their sound is like? Its almost like DAVE MATTHEWS BAND with a mix of MICHELLE BRANCH! And its just amazing. This album is full of ballads and hardcore rock! I played this album like 10 times all the wat through yesterday and I'm stopping! Trust Me!

Here is my review!

1. Everything - This is their single right now in the US! Very Very Very energetic and fun! This song can lure you in JUST LIKE THAT! The best part of this song is the chorus! VERY CATCHY! Its like a very FUN version of Natalie Imbruglia and Michelle Branch! 4 Stars

2. Jennifer - This is by far my second favorite song on the album! I mean who writes a song about jealousy??? At least these girls admit they are JEALOUS of Jennifer... Its so ironic and thats the good thing about this song! The sound is mellow with guitar strings at first, and the chorus becomes really powerful and upbeat! GREAT SONG!! I AM TELLING YOU THE TRUTH!!! 5 Stars

3. Don't - Super DOOPER SONG!!! Very pushy and angry! The lyrics dont go with the beat of the song but when they sing the chorus, it seems very emotional... it actually seems real.. but its still very acoustic with the guitar!! 4 Stars

4. Payphone - Whats so bad about this song? People don't like this song but its like SOOOO GOOD! Its a little slow but still upbeat with the piano and drums, just everything like that! To tell you the truth, almost all the chorus of EACH SONG ON THIS ALBUM is good! LIKE I MEAN GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD! 4 Stars

5. What Do You About Me - This is one DEMANDING SONG.. meaning hte lyrics are soo enticing it scares me! These girls write the most coolest HIPPEST yet mature lyrics EVER! They speak their heart and it just makes me feel week in the knees! This song is as upbeat and OUT THERE like "Everything"! Wonderful song! 4 Stars

6. Love Left For Me - WOW!! Really nice ballad!! The verses are hte best of this song!! Nice breathing technic!! 5 Stars

7. Miss Popular - ... This SONG IS SOOOOOOO POWERFUL ITS MY MOOOOOOOST FAVORITE SONG ON THIS ALBUM!! I AM TELLING YOU!! IF YOU WANT SOME DISSING OF SOME DITSY POPULAR GIRL THEN LISTEN TO THIS SONG!!... here is an example of the lyrics from this song... "everybody hates you, poor miss popular, no one feels a bit sorry for you" 10,000 STARS!!

8. Wanna Be Wheere You Are - This is by far the slowest song on this album... Its with the piano, how cool is that?? Marion's voice is like the light of this song... her voice stands out so much, the beats dont even exist... really great song.. 3 Stars

9.Leave Me Alone - Isnt that one BAD ...title?? WOW I mean, WOW!! The song is really infomartive! If you want someone to leave you alone, dedicate this song to them!! 4 Stars

10. Sometimes - Wow very strong beats and melodies... The guitar stings sound so angry and violent! This song TELLS ALL ABOUT A GIRLS LIFE!! Girls, take a listen to this song nad I KNOW YOU WILL AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THEY SAY!! This is my third favorite song on this album!! WOW!! 5 Stars

11. Eventually - OK THIS SONG IS TIED BETWEEN BEING NUMBER 1 with me! But i dunno yet... this is song is real slow, really heartfelt.. but its good, it espresses her feelings well! love this song! 10,000 Stars

IM TELLING YOU GUYS!! THIS CD IS A MUST!! DON"T BUY THOSE BRINTEY CDS (unless you are a hardcore fan) BUT GIVE THESE GIRLS A CHANCE!! THEY DESERVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IF YOU WANT A TASE OF GIRL VERSIONS OF INCUBUS, DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, COLDPLAY THEN GET THIS ALBUM!! TRUST ME YOU WILL LOOOOOOOOOOOVE IT!!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Big Change!, March 6, 2002

By	"jmorales110" (Newark, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

Whoa, what a difference 2 years can make on a bands sound! If your expecting to hear the same cheerful glossy M2M as on Shades Of Purple then you will be very dissapointed! Not this fan though! I think that this album is even better than their first! The songs are much better written on this trek than on SOP and they have a higher level of maturity to them. No more sweet candy-coated Pretty Boy's here! Instead you'll find songs like Leave Me Alone which boasts the sour-hearted lyrics "I'm not your girl/Not even your friend/What makes you think I wanna try again?".Once again, M2M manage to break the mold of traditionally ... pop albums with a stand-out CD! One listen and you'll know what I'm talking about! Don't get me wrong the album is still very pop and very M2M, but the sound is more rock-based(which is probably why I like it this much!). The only complaint I have is that they've censored the word ... on the song Sometimes!So, if you like M2M, but have grown past such cutesy songs as Don't Say You Love Me and Pretty Boy then I definately recommend this album!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is how pop should sound., April 7, 2005

By	music_man_2k5 (USA) - See all my reviews

First off, I'm nearing 20 years old, and my music collection consists mainly of rock-based music, although I do listen to a little bit of pop in the form of John Mayer, Jack Johnson, and other singers/songwriters. I heard a few tracks from Shades of Purple, and I was like, "Eh, just another pop group." But after hearing "Everything" for the first time, my reaction was, "Wow, these girls are for real." Now, I'm not a big pop fan, but in trying to expand my music collection, I decided to give this album a whirl. So I decided to pick up The Big Room after sampling a few more songs and liking what I heard. I had trouble finding it in stores so I bought a copy off Amazon. I was impressed with the songwriting abilities of Marit and Marion, especially because of their age when this came out. Here's my take on the songs:

1 - Everything - Catchy tune and chorus, not to mention that addicting guitar riff throughout the song.

2 - Jennifer - Nothing special about this song, but the guitar solo is very good, and the girls' vocals harmonize very well in this song.

3 - Don't - Very good acoustic song.

4 - Payphone - Again, nothing special, but Marit's guitar and Marion's piano go together well.

5 - What You Do About Me - One of my favorites. I am still trying to figure out how to play that guitar riff.

6 - Love Left For Me - Maybe my least favorite song on the album. No comment.

7 - Miss Popular - Energetic and catchy pop rock at its finest.

8 - Wanna Be Where You Are - Marion delivers a beautiful piano and vocal performance, and that electric guitar solo is just phenomenal.

9 - Leave Me Alone - A slow song. The instrumental break reminds me of "Let It Be" for some odd reason.

10 - Sometimes - A nice fast-paced acoustic song with a rocking guitar solo. Did they have to mute the "S"-word in the lyrics, though?

11 - Eventually - Slow acoustic song, a great pick to end the album.

It's a bummer that M2M isn't around anymore; I think they would have had a lot more success had this album gotten some more publicity. This album was very under-rated. It's a great album, it just wasn't given a chance to really make an impact.