Some People Have Real Problems [ENHANCED]

Sia

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 8, 2008)
• Original Release Date: January 8, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Hear Music
• ASIN: B0010DJ1VA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,657 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > World Music > Australia & New Zealand

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
After a smattering of success surrounding her inclusion in the Six Feet Under series finale with the song "Breathe Me," and collaborations with electronic stars Massive Attack and Zero 7, Sia (Furler) returns with a pop record that's witty and touching, alternately funny and achingly melancholy. Shades of Fiona Apple cross with Joss Stone's blue-eyed soul. Sia shines on a terrifically sung take on the Kinks' (by way of the Pretenders cover) "I Go To Sleep" and her own deeply felt "Lentil." Many of these songs shimmer with a radio-friendly gloss, but the show belongs to this eccentric Australian, who bravely subverts the accessible production through winking and sometimes sinister lyrics. Beck guests on the metaphor-packed "Academia," book-ending lines like "you're a difficult equation with a knack for heart evasion" with a mournful chorus that strips away the lyrical cleverness to plumb the broken-hearted depths of a ruined relationship. Check your enhanced CD for a truly strange video for the hidden bonus track, "Buttons," in which Sia distorts her face using a wide variety of objects, including scotch tape, fishnet hose, and a condom, to name a few. If this playing with her own image is Sia's warning shot across the bow of a popular music industry obsessed with the visual, it'll make you think twice about what you're seeing, but can't distract from the intoxicating soundscape she delivers. --Ben Heege

Product Description
In addition to her successful solo career, Sia has also worked extensively with ZERO 7; She provided the vocals for the hit singles "Destiny" and "Distractions" from their debut album Simple Things, as well as tracks on their subsequent albums, When It Falls and Garden. She also collaborated successfully with MASSIVE ATTACK and WILLIAM ORBIT.

Sia has had huge club hits, including "Drink To Get Drunk" [remixed by DIFFERENT GEAR] and the UK garage remix of "Little Man" by WOOKIE

"Breathe Me," from her album Colour the Small One gained significant attention when it was used in the elaborate final scene of HBO's SIX FEET UNDER.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A departure of sorts, January 10, 2008

By	Russell Evansen "revansen" (Waunakee, WI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Those who know Sia Furler from her outstanding work with Zero 7 - or even her previous solo album "Colour the Small One" - may be a bit surprised by the approach she takes here. Lacking the electronic sheen of her previous work, this latest release is more straight-up pop-soul, but it mostly works very well. The lead-off track "Little Black Sandals" should be a radio hit (if radio had any intelligent life) and throughout, Sia's distinctive vocals come through loud and clear. It's hard to believe she's still so young, since it seems like she's been around for a while. But up to now she's been kind of a figure in the background, with one of those voices that makes you grab the track listings on a CD and search desperately for the singer's name. With this record, she steps out of the shadows and into the spotlight. I hope it brings her the attention she deserves.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Performance That Was Second To None, November 20, 2008

By	Edward Lewis Jr. (KANSAS CITY, MO USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When her and her band's performance was over on the Late Show with David Letterman, I became her newest fan. Her voice is amazing, what soul, but it was her jumping up and down personality that won me over. Usually when I come across a talent even close to hers, I buy everything she has ever song on, immediately(thanks to amazon). It's my way. No change here. This woman is a Diva without acting like one. Everyone support her!

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Some people have REAL psychedelia, February 3, 2008

By	Amaranth "music fan" (Northern California) - See all my reviews

Sia's "Some people have REAL problems" aptly sums up the beginning of this year. Thankfully, this album is as comforting as a cup of hot mint cocoa. Aussie diva Sia Furler's new album is a contrast with her more somber "Colour the Small One." She has an American girlfriend,she's got RAINBOWS! UNICORNS! CLOWNS!

"Some people have REAL problems" opens with the optimistic "Little Black Sandals." It's about the escape from an abusive relationship. "Lentil" and "You have been loved" recast romantic cliches with an innovative,soulful electro-pop sound. "The girl you lost to cocaine" takes a cynical,zippy spin on a somber subject (sort of like Colbie Caillat's sappy "Midnight Bottle"-the most peppy song about alcoholism) "Soon we'll be found" is a hopeful anthem. "Electric Bird" is also anthemic;it would be fitting on a television soundtrack. "Beautiful Calm Driving" is soothing trip-hop,a road trip song. Very trippin'. "Death by chocolate" sounds another optimistic note-complete with a backing chorus of the Scientologists Giovanni Ribisi&his daughter Lucia,as well as Jason Lee. Pantera is also on it. The highlights are the nerdy love duet with Beck "Academia",the Eastern-sounding "Playground" and the playful dysfunctional relationship song "Buttons."

"Some people have REAL problems" is Sia's playful US debut of sorts. Its blend of earthiness, mysticism, and soul makes it a winning combination. Sia calls herself Lady Croissant;her music is delicious. Drink it down with some peppy coffee! With chocolate of course...