Violince

Oppera

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 6, 2004)
• Original Release Date: July 6, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Dunda Chief Records
• ASIN: B0002EP33I
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #425,937 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

OPPERA consists of former Columbia Recording artist 'Martika', who scored numerous hits, culminating with the Billboard topping, number one smash 'Toy Soldiers'. Martika was one of the first female Latin artists to hit it big on the pop scene and for years afterwards, many followed in the footsteps of her meteoric rise to stardom. Martika created a name for herself early on her career by starring as 'Gloria' in the hit Disney television show 'Kids Incoporated'. She then moved on to appear in many television shows and movies. Martika's love for music, and the chance to control her destiny, led her back into the studio to repeat her success story, but this time with a partner in crime. That partner in particular, is virtuoso guitarist and producer Michael Mozart. Michael Mozart has been on the music scene, but has been quietly helping others become successful. Creating a trademark style and sound that are evident on their debut CD 'Violince', Mozart has garnered years of experience from working with some of the most influential, Hall of Fame Musicians in the field of Rock, Pop, and R&B music. Classically trained, and formally trained in the School of Rock, Mozart has excelled at mixing the two seemingly opposing lifestyles together to form a brilliantly faceted production which sounds as hard as diamonds. Mozart's unbelievably prodigious talent on the guitar, almost overshadows the fact that he has played every single instrument on OPPERA's debut CD.

OPPERA is the best of two worlds that have collided together to form the nexus of a potentially landmark new act.

OPPERA's name definitely fits these two talented individuals.

Product Description

'Violince',the Dunda Chief Records debut CD of OPPERA,is a stunningingly intricate journey through a beautifully crafted musical landscape that includes many elements from classic rock,classical music,and a heavy dose of pure radio friendly pop tied together in a way that is extremely fresh and innovative.

Singing like an angry angel and looking better than ever is none other than former Columbia Recording Artist 'Martika'. Martika had several hits during the late 80's and early 90's, culminating in the Billboard Charts number one smash 'Toy Soldiers'. 'Violince's heart wrenching ballads and epic rock songs definitely showcase the former 'pop diva' in her full glory! Martika has lost none of her hauntingly pure talent that catapulted her into the spotlight and to the top of the charts. With an army of alt-rock bands goose stepping to the same beat, OPPERA has side-stepped the pitfalls of sounding like everyone else, and created a wonderfully detailed world of their own that you really must hear to believe.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars esperando su turno., January 4, 2005

By	Yiannis Psaroudis "divastation.com" (soho, ny) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

like most of her fans, i have anxiously awaited the return of martika to the music scene. though i suffer no dillusions that the music produced on her first--and, to some extent, second--album(s)was the type of bubblegum pop that we current associate with the likes of britney spears, christina aguilera and jessican simpson, i do sincerely believe that martika is an extremely talented vocalist and songwriter. with regard to oppera's violince, i'm of two minds. martika sounds great. it's obvious, as one of the songs suggests, she's spent her time out of the spotlight honing her craft, resulting in her using her voice as an instrument, tool and even weapon in ways we've never heard. on the other hand, some of the music does seem a little too heavily produced, recalling late '80s/early '90s pop. i fear that this, as well as the artistic direction of the band/album, is the influence of her collaborator, michael mozart. then again, maybe i'm just bitter and don't want miss 'tika sharing the spotlight with anybody. at any rate, it's GREAT to have martika back. i'm really enjoying the album.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars So the Oppera's begun, huh?, July 16, 2004

By	Maria Aguilar (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews

As a teen in the late 80's, I was always into the big three of the time. Debbie, Tiffany and Martika. Martika always kinda played third to Debbie's Britney, Tiffany's Christina. So I guess you could say Martika was the Jessica Simpson. It's been years since I've seen or read the name Martika, but I saw a link on amazon and what a surprise I had! Martika's back after, what like 13 years?!!! Wow. Time sure has passed. She sounds better than ever, check out tracks like "All Alone", "Upside Down" or "Destiny". These tracks really let her voice shine! BUT listen to some other songs on VIOLINCE and you'll hear how drowned out she is. This is my biggest complaint. While I commend Mr. Mozart for tackling all the instruments here (I just read this above), it's kinda hard to hear Martika on certain tracks. Such as "My Life" or "Fade Away". There was a track missing here that I heard on the duo's site that I was really looking forward to called "Goodbye". It's nowhere to be found. I only heard a short clip, but girl was wailing like there was no tomorrow! Why wasn't it on here. As far as the musical style. Hmmm...it may be just me, but it kinda gets a little Evanescense-esque. That might not be a bad thing, as that sound is in right now. Besides Martika can outsing Amy Lee any day! But this style of music is not really my cup of tea.

So the good points are Martika's back; she sounds better than ever; music is contemporary enough. Bad points: Martika's voice gets drowned out in too many songs, thus not letting her vocals shine; a little too Eveanescene for my tastes and lastly the omission of "Goodbye". I give the album 3 stars.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars The return of Martika? in what form?, July 15, 2004

By	Bruno Zeri (San Jose, CA) - See all my reviews

Martika has returned to music, after a searing 13 year abscence. Always revered by myself as one of the most under-rated pop singers of the 80's, so it is safe to say that I was nothing short of hysteric when I was made aware that she was returning. Sadly, this would be my high point of enthusiasm for this possibility.

Written and produced by Michael Mozart, who is apparently known and sought-after in the industry, this project sounds like a blender full of sounds, where there are many good ideas and NO direction. Anyone who has listened to music in the last 3 years knows that there is a panic in attempting to find its' saviour. Mozart clearly is attempting this, but fails in ultimately sounding lifeless and over-produced. All this strikes me as unfortunate, because amidst this wall of noise lies the faint voice on an angel, Martika. Anyone who posseses or has such amazing talent at their disposition, would cleary utilize it as a weapon, but instead, here she is treated a s a supporting tool. She became second rate to a synthezier guitar.

The songs that clearly state what I am referring to the best are the electric guitar driven "Say Anything" and the embarrassingly "teen pop" sounding "Why" Her voice is hardly present, which really makes me sad.

If it were up to me, I would release an a cappella version of this entire Cd and call it "No Distractions", because really that's all that this "music" does. WHY would anyone want to detter someone away from an incredibly emoting singer that can sell anything? Poor Martika, returning to the music scene with such a sub-par CD. All anyone ever wanted was to hear her voice, but not drowned out in this way.

I have hopes that perhaps one day Martika will release some solo material, and really let her voice SHINE! She has the capability and the poise to become a revered vocalist, in any genre. The emotional tone to her voice can transcend to any genre, whether it is RnB, Rock or traditional Cuban rhythms (where I think she would sound utterly amazing in this style of music). Until then, I shall anticipate her return to "Real" music, where once again I shall hear that amazing instrument soar once more.