White Lilies Island

Natalie Imbruglia

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 5, 2002)
• Original Release Date: November 27, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B00005YX34
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (159 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #57,548 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The sophomore slump is tough for any artist, but it's got to be daunting when your worldwide smash debut four years ago (1998's Left of the Middle) dominated the charts based on someone else's song (Ednaswap's "Torn"). For her second album, pop singer Natalie Imbruglia allies herself with big-name producers/collaborators but takes a slower, moodier direction. While the singer/songwriter has maintained the key elements of her first album--a mixture of pop rock, acoustic and electronic embellishments, and gritty guitars--there's a greater sense of emotional turbulence here. The best moments on this effort are the edgier ones: the anxious opener, "That Day," with its nervous guitar and tumbling lyrics; the yearning space-pop of "Sunlight"; and the sparkling electro-acoustic rock of "Wrong Impression." Not all the tracks are keepers, but there is an appealing honesty and understated quality to White Lilies Island that makes it sound refreshing. After all, sadness can be catchy too. --Bryan Reesman

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars White Lilies Island, May 14, 2002

By	Clarissa "MoonGoddess" (Ontario, California) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

I couldn't believe my eyes when I first saw the video for "Wrong Impression". The voice sounded so familiar yet I couldn't put a name to the face. I was even late to school because I had to catch the name. She's done a complete turnaround on her sophmore release and I give her a thousand props for it. This is truly a remarkable comback after the unexpected success of her first album, Left Of The Middle, which dims in comparison to this. She hasn't just matured with her features but her music has definitely grown as well. I was especially impressed with the Cardigan-esque "Goodbye" and "Do You Love Me?" where her voice resembles that of Nina Persson, particularly on the verses. This is hands down one of the best Pop Rock albums (so far) of 2002. Never before has Natalie Imbruglia sounded so spectacular. "Hurricane" evokes deep emotions with incredible lyrics that were obviously thought-provoking while "Sunlight" is absolutely splendid with its altering from piercing guitar to sometimes subtle rhythms. I especially like the part where she briefly laughs. Another personal favorite, though, would have to be "Talk In Tongues" where she croons softer than usual without the drowning of instruments. So if you're reading this right now than I advise you to give me a helpful vote and then to buy the record if you haven't already. It's honestly that good . . . I promise.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Over a Year Later, and Still No Recognition, March 25, 2003

By	Rudy Palma "The Writing Fiend" (NJ) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

The fact is, WHITE LILIES ISLAND was one of 2002's best albums, and yet it nor Natalie Imbruglia were nominated for any Grammy awards this past year. Clearly, the US Music Industry has no use for talent like that of Natalie. Talent no longer matters.

People take a look at her gorgeous body on the front cover and think that's all that could be there, but there is more to her than just that. The album's standout tracks are the catchy, beautifully saddening WRONG IMPRESSION (the only US single off the album), the showstopping DO YOU LOVE?, the simple but affecting HURRICANE and EVERYTHING GOES, the space-age poppy SATELLITE, SUNLIGHT, which is the perfect mixture of electronic pop and gripping lyrics that will makes you "feel the sunlight on your face, taste clouds, and touch space". Thanks to Natalie, we can all feel the sunlight on our face. Last but not least in importance are BEAUTY ON THE FIRE and THAT DAY, the former of which is an excellent single that will give you "sensory pleasure" while also making goosebumps go up your spine.

Anyone who is a fan of excellent, thought-provoking modern-day pop will love WHITE LILIES ISLAND. It is a different type of album than her first outing, 1998's LEFT OF THE MIDDLE (actually a different album period), but that doesn't mean it's not as good. They are both totally different albums, and yet, at the same time, the listener can easily tell Natalie is IN those lyrics, that she is not simply selling a CD. She is selling pure talent and excellent artistry. Isn't that what she should be selling?

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fun, Interesting and Enjoyable Listen, March 6, 2002

By	Larry Diamond (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I had been reading the strong reviews of the import and listening and watching the Wrong Impression video on the internet and decided to buy the CD. I am very glad I did. There are many, many gems on this disc that go way beyond Wrong Impression in many areas.

Wrong Impression is a good pop song, I enjoy the tempo, singing, and lyrics. But songs like Hurricane, Talk in Tongues, and Goodbye are much stronger emotionally and vocally and have stronger guitar work. Goodbye in particular has an excellent build to a robust chorus with good guitar backing. Hurricane is one of the strongest vocal tracks and Natalie has a very strong and enjoyable voice. That Day has grown on me.

At first I thought Everything Goes was a weak track but I was wrong, and that is why I gave the CD a considered 5 stars, there are no weak tracks on this CD. Any CD that can go from Sunlight to Satellite is no small feat. Natalie maybe very beautiful but this CD has a lot of 'meat' to it and it should not be dismissed because she was a soap star or what not. It is highly polished and produced but not over-produced. After listening to it you will get the sense that Natalie would do wonderful 'unplugged' as well, her voice is that good. In fact the one weakness is that some of her vocals are, in fact, overproduced at times despite my comment that the CD as a whole is not overproduced. Let the girl sing!

Speaking of Satellite, great track, probably the next most 'popish' after Wrong Impression but a great listen. If you are considering this CD because of Wrong Impression, you will be blown away by it. It has so much more depth then you would guess from Wrong Impression. Highly recommended, impressive song collection.