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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Buy "Quixotic" rather than "Anything" - it's worth it!!!, March 2, 2005
The only three stars here are for what Anything deserves *relative to Quixotic*. Once you listen to both, you'll see what I mean. Quixotic deserves an unequivocal 5, and I suppose if Anything were the only version of this album and I weren't comparing it to its far superior sister, I'd give it a 4.5. But anyway, you can see Quixotic is far superior.
Okay, if you absolutely cannot find Quixotic (it's available here on Amazon as an import; even if it's pricier you'll be glad you paid the extra)then you should buy Anything, it's better than nothing. (No pun intended).
But really, just buy Quixotic. It has three songs that Anything doesn't, among which are the haunting, beautiful "Stevie's (Days of a Gun" which took a while to grow on me but really layer vocals, strings, and remixing in an amazing, unprecented way. And it has "Lying" which is also vocally haunting and one of the more lyrically interesting songs on the album. It also has "I Wanna Be There" which isn't as enjoyable in my opinion but it definitely shows off one of Martina's greatest strengths: her ability to pair trip-hop, rock, soul, and something else entirely, and end up with something much much greater than the sum of its parts.
Also, for reasons that make no sense to me, the Anything version of "Soul Food" is different and inferior to the Quixotic version - the vocals are re-recorded and flatter, and other stuff is missing. (I don't have both albums with me to compare, but I remember being struck by how some of what makes Soul Food so wonderful was somehow gone on the Anything version.)
So yeah, just buy Quixotic already.
Of course, most albums have what makes both so amazing. This music is beautiful, complex, eerie in parts, rich, melodic. It's also incredibly complex musically, and it's one of those albums that is challenging and has something to teach musicians and music afficionados, while still being utterly accessible and fun to listen to.
Some songs (Soul Food, Lullaby, Anything for example) are perfect for a romantic evening; Ilya's music makes me think of a good song to play at a hipster art gallery opening, and its lyrics are good for the bitter aftermath of a failed relationship ("Thought i was in love/tell me was i wrong/You know we were wrong together"). The string section of Ilya alone almost makes the whole damn album worth it: I want someone to write an entire string piece based on those few seconds.
Her lyrics might be said to be the one weakness; it's not that they are bad or awkward in any way. In fact, there are plenty of gems:
"Seven states away they're doin', doin'
the Strange Fruit swing
when they come down
you have to leave town" ("Too Tough to Die")
or
"I went down to the house in your girlfriend's clothes
They fit me better than I would have supposed"
(Lying)
It's just that for someone who so beautifully does things never before achieved in music, I would have thought her lyrics would do the same; instead they can be somewhat .... conventional.
("I don't want anything but you/I don't need anything but you" from "Anything"; plus "Soul Food"'s lyrics are relatively tame for such a seductive, marvelous song.) It's a minor quibble, really, in an overall wonderful album.
So yes, buy this; if you're me, it'll actually take you a minute to warm to it (I didn't like it at first, to be honest, but then i couldn't find most of my CDs and so had to listen to this one; I was hooked.) Others will immediately love it.
My Discman has already given it one of the Top 5 Most played CDs of 2004, and it'll be a top contender for that prize in 2005 too.
Plus, being a Martina Topley-Bird fan will impress all your music snob friends. Admit it, that's a pull. But you get the greatest benefit: This kick-ass album.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Buy Quixotic instead-- it's worth it, August 12, 2004
I find myself both puzzled and disappointed that Martina Topley-Bird's brilliant debut CD is being released in America in this form (three tracks left off, a different title, 'sexed-up' album art, rearranged track listing). The songs which have been left by the wayside-- 'Lying', 'Stevie's (Day's of a Gun)' [sic], and 'I Wanna Be There'-- have been cut for no reason I can fathom, as they are equal to every other piece on the album (and 'Stevie's' is gloriously lovely); and I have a sinking feeling that the beautiful vocal 'Intro', which was such a perfect and appropriate opening on the UK release, has somehow been flipped to become the 'Outro' on the US version. If so, this is, again, puzzling and disappointing (to say the least). If buying this CD is the only way that you can hear this record, with all its lush and languid grandeur, then that's better than nothing. But if you can, I would say that you would be far better off buying the import, and hearing the album the way it was originally released. Your ears will thank you.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great voice, cool mix of styles!, November 10, 2004
(Note: I haven't heard the original British release of this album called QUIXOTIC which sounds like the real one to get, but I'll go ahead and review this American version since it's all I've heard)
Not as deeply "trip-hop" as I would've wanted or was led to believe by music publications like Blender (always, always take a critic's opinion with a grain of salt), this album is none-the-less deeply soulful and a highly enjoyable and diverse set of songs. Martina stretches out and sings more than I've ever heard her sing before. She hits some really high notes and takes her voice in surprisingly different directions. There's not a bad apple in the bunch.
"Anything" - instantly grabs you with its beautiful subtlty and sensuousness. Martina's voice, gorgeously double-tracked here, is naked and honest.
"Ragga" - prime Martina/Tricky track. A hungry, addictive melting pot of playfulness and lust.
"Need One" - Anthem rock meets electonic sensibilities and a swaggering beat. Somehow, she pulls it off brilliantly. Mark Lanegan and Josh Homme guest star. Only grudge: I keep searching for my cell phone whenever I hear the beeping at the end of the song.
"Soul Food" - The title says it all. This should please nearly any Motown or Stax record fan. "I'm gonna let you/ Take all the time you need." Baby!
"Ilya" - the second and last collaboration with Tricky on the album. Excellent - one of the most hypnotic tracks with enough trippy touches to keep you mesmerized over and over.
"I Still Feel" - electronic pop of the first order. "I still feel high/ And so low."
"Sandpaper Kisses" - totally lush and watery. Probably the most sensuous track even though it's about a girl getting stepped on emotionally.
"Too Tough To Die" - Electronic Blues shuffle. Oh yes! So good.
"Lullaby" - a strange piano, sweetly strummed guitar, then the brief sound of a rocking chair rocking set this gentle, melancholy tune in motion. A stunningly beautiful vocal with a ghostly fade out, this may be the best cut on the album.
"Outro" - According to the liner notes, Martina recorded this one at her home. Sounds sorta like a doo-wop blues/jazz number from the '30s. But it's all Martina.
Despite the disappointment some have expressed about the condition of this re-release, I completely love ANYTHING. It currently holds the top spot in my CD collection for chill out/sexy/romantic/get yer groove on album of the year.
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~ Martina Topley-Bird
~ Tricky
~ Tricky
~ Supreme Beings Of Leisure
~ Portishead
by Martina Topley-Bird 
