Eye to the Telescope [IMPORT]

KT Tunstall

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 25, 2005)
• Original Release Date: January 25, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: EMI Import
• ASIN: B0006FMBWY
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #164,598 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Other Side of the World

2. Another Place to Fall

3. Under the Weather

4. Suddenly I See

5. Miniature Disasters

6. Silent Sea

7. Universe & U

8. False Alarm

9. Heal Over

10. Stoppin' the Love

11. Through the Dark

12. Black Horse and the Cherry Tree [Live][*]

Editorial Reviews

From Amazon.co.uk

If the art of the female singer-songwriter revolves around coffee-table soliloquies then Eye to the Telescope--the debut album from Edinburgh-born chanteuse/guitarist KT Tunstall--is a pleasing mediation between the traditional demands of brooding egocentricity (espresso) and frothy commerciality (cappuccino). KT Tunstall has star quality. "Suddenly I See" is an effortlessly liberating pop fillip while, conversely, "False Alarm" redresses ABBA's "The Winner Takes It All" for losers who had nothing to lose to begin with. However, Tunstall isn't entirely convinced by the compromise ("I'm struggling to cater for the space I'm meant to fill" she sings) and "Miniature Disasters"--one of several strong numbers showcasing her aptitude for wrapping up pop tunes in either folky bluesiness or ponderous jazz--catalogues her desires for unfettered self-expression. The opening cut "Other Side Of The World" might sound like Dido without the giftwrapped grief (she's none too flattered with the comparisons) but Eye to the Telescope is spiritually closer to Carole King and Elvis Costello than Katie Melua. And that's no bad thing. --Kevin Maidment

Product Description

KT Tunstall is a sparkling new songwriter with Chinese blood, a Scottish heart, great legwarmers & a cool name. KT celebrates classic singer-songwriting in the tradition of Rikki Lee Jones, Carol King & Fleetwood Mac with an articulate, accessible, immediate brew of rootsy sass, wistful quandary & after-hours atmosphere. The latest in a line of outstanding contemporary Scottish songwriters including Texas, Fran Healy, Teenage Fanclub & The Beta Band, KT's unique perspective offers a rare emotionally connecting intensity through it's gripping lyrical bite & heartfelt melody. Her debut album 'Eye To The Telescope' is the creative consequence of an inquiring imagination with production duties supplied by Steve Osborne (U2, New Order, Doves). Includes one bonus track 'Black Horse & The Cherry Tree' (Performed On Later With Jools Holland). Includes the bonus track 'Black Horse And The Cherry Tree' (live on Later With Jools Holland). EMI. 2004.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One Of The Year's Best New Talents, May 1, 2005

By	Busy Body (London, England) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Eye to the Telescope (Audio CD)

One of 2005's most promising new talents is KT Tunstall, the fresh Scottish songstress who has made a big impression upon Radio 1 and Radio 2 listeners. Her brand of pop and rock music, with traces of folk, is something interesting amidst an ocean of bland R'n'B radio filler. Her debut album "Eye To The Telescope" is an impressive piece of work, but Miss Tunstall still needs to fully impress the public over here in Britain. She's been on a promotional blitz for this album, and it hasn't exactly sold amazingly well yet, but I think this album will be a slow burner throughout 2005 and will see KT achieve big success by the end of the year.

The album opens with the second single, the gorgeous "Other Side Of The World." This song has received a great reception and I hope it does really well on the charts. This is probably one of the strongest songs of the year so far, sounding a little bit like Dido - musically - and Fiona Apple - vocally. So as you can see, it's a melting pot of musical styles! "Another Place To Fall" shows that KT can rock with the best of them on a uptempo pop rock piece with a fiery chorus and punchy verses. The guitar is an ever-present force in this album, and this song showcases that. "Under The Weather" is the first ballad of the album, and it's almost lullaby in style. KT's vocals here are soft and lucious working wonderfully with the guitars and gentle humming in the background. A great song, very visual with images of water and submersion created in your mind. The song picks up pace towards the end. "Black Horse And The Cherry Tree" is the most well-known song from this album and was the first single KT ever released. This song really caught my attention because it's unlike anything else out there! There's elements of pop, rock, folk and perhaps even country. KT works that echo pedal like a pro here, and the catchiness of the verses is incredible. This song only made the Top 30 in the UK but should have done so much better.

"Miniature Disasters" is an off-kilter, murky little number which may take a while to grow on you. I didn't really like it to begin with, but after a while it will win you over. "Silent Sea" is one of the best songs on the album and probably the most relaxing. Here, KT sounds like a mix of Norah Jones and Fiona Apple! Her voice is brilliant as it gently purrs over the gently flowing bass, representative of this silent sea. The chorus is beautiful and uplifting - a great piece of work. "Universe & U" is another album highlight because it features slight uses of electronics in this song's background. The verses are particularly strong, and a perfect set up for the choruses where KT really belts them out, making the most of her powerful vocals. The best part of the song is about 2:20 into the song where things just come together and KT's vocals have never sounded as amazing in the last minute. "False Alarm" is another song which may take a while to grow on you, but it is a great piece that sparkles. It has a clunky beat that plods along, but isn't really a memorable song when you consider some of the other better songs on offer.

"Suddenly I See" is a great, uptempo piece that has a heavy bass and a catchy melody. It's quite a peppy piece with quite corny verses, but great choruses. It tells the story of a girl who everyone is in awe of because of the qualities she projects, and suddenly, KT sees that's the kind of person she wants to be! Corny, yes, but too sweet to dismiss. "Stoppin' The Love" is a clunky song with a clap-beat but doesn't really make much of an impression on me. "Heal Over" is a rather mid-tempo song that serves as more of a showcase of KT's vocals than anything else. Her voice does indeed purr all over the guitar and the addition of backing vocals is a fine touch. The album closes with "Through The Dark," which is different to the other songs because it features a piano. This works well with the bass and the drums, and KT's vocals control them all perfectly. This is quite a good song, but I don't find it very memorable.

OVERALL GRADE: 8/10

I was very impressed with this album, even though it does have high points and low points. The best material is contained within the first half of the album in my opinion, but there's some fine moments towards the end as well. KT is popular because of her voice first and foremost, and this will be the tool that carries her through her career. It has the jazzy tone of Norah Jones, but with a raw rock edge that will appeal to fans of Dido, Natalie Imbruglia and Texas. This isn't a perfect debut album and I've heard better this year, but it's still a promising start to what could be - and rightfully should be - a very long career.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the best new artists, March 15, 2006

By	Amanda Richards "Modest to the extreme" (Georgetown, Guyana) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Eye to the Telescope (Audio CD)

This Scottish-raised singer/songwriter of Chinese ancestry debuts with a delightful album as mixed as her background. One of the most popular tracks is the fun-country live rendition of the foot-stompin' "Black Horse & the Cherry Tree", but my personal favorite is the first single "Other Side of the World". These two songs alone make the album worth buying, the only problem being that it's too darn short.

The album begins on a high note with the aforementioned "Other Side of the World", an excellent, thoroughly enjoyable, first rate song with great lyrics:

"The fire fades away
Most of every day
Is full of tired excuses
But it's too hard to say
I wish it were simple
But we give up easily
You're close enough to see that
You're the other side of the world"

Most of the other songs come close to the brilliance of the two I've already mentioned, and every song is worth listening to, with traces of Sheryl Crow and Dido popping up from time to time. Other good tracks are "Another Place to Fall" with its Coldplay type musical hooks and swelling chorus; the folksy "Under the Weather"; the Simon & Garfunkel-like guitar strumming "Suddenly I See"; the retro `80s rock ballad "False Alarm"; and the heart pounding "Stoppin' the Love".

One of the best new artists on the scene

Amanda Richards, March 15, 2006

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Definitely a contender, September 1, 2005

By	Amanda Richards "Modest to the extreme" (Georgetown, Guyana) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This Scottish-raised singer/songwriter of Chinese ancestry debuts with a delightful album as mixed as her background. One of the most popular tracks is the fun-country live rendition of the foot-stompin' "Black Horse & the Cherry Tree", but my personal favorite is the first single "Other Side of the World". These two songs alone make the album worth buying, the only problem being that it's too darn short.

The album begins on a high note with the aforementioned "Other Side of the World", an excellent, thoroughly enjoyable, first rate song with great lyrics:

"The fire fades away
Most of every day
Is full of tired excuses
But it's too hard to say
I wish it were simple
But we give up easily
You're close enough to see that
You're the other side of the world"

Most of the other songs come close to the brilliance of the two I've already mentioned, and every song is worth listening to, with traces of Sheryl Crow and Dido popping up from time to time. Other good tracks are "Another Place to Fall" with its Coldplay type musical hooks and swelling chorus; the folksy "Under the Weather"; the Simon & Garfunkel-like guitar strumming "Suddenly I See"; the retro `80s rock ballad "False Alarm"; and the heart pounding "Stoppin' the Love".

Definitely a contender for best new artist of 2005.


Amanda Richards, September 2, 2005