Lessons to Be Learned [IMPORT]

Gabriella Cilmi

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 14, 2008)
• Original Release Date: March 31, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Ume Imports
• ASIN: B0019R43I8
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #104,712 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.co.uk

It's hard to imagine someone even younger than 19-year-old Laura Marling making a splash on the music scene, but 16-year-old Australian singer Gabriella Cilmi is doing a pretty good job. Having smashed apart stereotypes of innocence with her killer single "(There's Nothing) Sweet About Me", Cilmi (pronounced "Chill Me") now offers a debut that's not only lyrically and emotionally mature, but boasts the kind of potent musical content guaranteed to propel you towards the dancefloor. Lessons To Be Learned is a diverse bag. Produced by Xenomania (Girls Aloud, Sugababes) it's seemingly influenced by everyone from Stevie Wonder to the Kings of Leon, though it'll inevitably draw the most comparisons to Amy Winehouse, thanks to Cilmi's soaring vocals, the record's modern-Motown feel and Xenomania's bright, punchy production. Opener "Save The Lies", though, is nothing like Winehouse--a big, in-your-face disco-stomper with a massive irrefutable chorus. The record drops from there into sultry soul territory with tracks like "Sanctuary", "Einstein", and "Safer", and more upbeat fare such as the electronic "Don't Wanna Go To Bed Now", rocky tracks like "Messy," and the bluesy "Cigarettes And Lies". These stylistic diversions set Cilmi apart from the rest of the 'new soul' brigade, and help give her a voice of her own. -- Danny McKenna

Product Description

International pressing of the 2008 debut album from the Aussie singer/songwriter featuring one bonus track: 'Echo Beach'. Lessons To Be Learned was produced by the ever-popular Xenomania, also responsible for acts like Sugababes and others. Often compared to Amy Winehouse without any addictions, Cilmi (pronounced 'chill me') is a young talent with Pop hooks to match her good looks. Already wowing the UK and Europe with her sophisticated Pop, Cilmi is one of the few artists assured for world domination in 2008. If not, then we'll just have to come over to your house and destroy your drapes...and you wouldn't want that, would you? 12 tracks including the single 'Sweet About Me'. Island.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fresh!, May 21, 2008

By	Olukayode Balogun (Leeds, England) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

A number have people have found success in recent times, after allowing one of their songs to be used in a TV commercial. Off the top of my head I can think of people like José González, Feist, Yael Naim...

Well, now we can add to that list the name of Australian songstress Gabriella Cilmi (pronounced "chill me"), who generated quite a buzz here in the UK after her sparkly song "sweet about me" was used to promote a new 'upside down' version of a deodorant for women. On it she sings: "If there's lessons to be learned/ I'd rather get my jamming words in first oh/ Tell ya something that I've found/ That the world's a better place when it's upside down boy", so you can see how it ties in neatly with the product in question. I certainly wanted to know who the song was by and it was my main man Joe who came to my rescue, put me out of my misery and told me who it was. (Thanks Joe!)

For me, none of the other songs match the sheer magic of "sweet about me", sadly, (and it is available as a single) but this is no one-hit album. Other notable tracks include the groovy opener, "save the lies", the mournful "sanctuary", "einstein", the amazingly infectious "don't want to go to bed now", "messy", the pleading ballad "safer", "sit in the blues" and the UK bonus track, "echo beach", a thumping, electric guitar-driven number. Joseph didn't think that I'd like this album but I so do. It's so fresh!

Cilmi's spine-chilling voice reminds me of someone else's but up until now, I've not been able to put my finger on who that might be. (A cross between Jill Scott and Amy Winehouse, dare I suggest?) Her sound is definitely her own though and she delivers it refreshingly and assurdly on this release. Production is by Xenomania (Girls Aloud, Sugababes) and I have to agree with the editorial on this one: this is pop perfection with a twist.

I have a feeling she's going to do well with this, particularly in this country and across Europe, where 'quirky' and 'difficult-to-categorise' are often quicker to find favour than they are in the US. The album climbed up to #8 on the UK Top 40 this week, while the single is at #19, which is telling in itself. It's a pity there are no sound clips but if you were looking for some left-of-centre music and a female singer with a quirky, unique and unbridled vocal style, this one's for you. Highly recommended.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fresh, fun and going somewhere, July 2, 2008

By	John Sharpe (Melbourne Australia) - See all my reviews

Hearing something great from my old town is a bonus for a start, but with this CD there is a whole lot more going on than sentimentality.
Gabriella launches with an energetic and essentially fun album with lots of variety. At her relatively young age her voice shows extraordinary promise. She delivers a wonderful bluesy tone now and I can't wait to hear how this voice and song writing ability matures over time. It is a fantastic first album with the promise of a lot more to come. After a few listens it does sound a little thin and 'young' and you notice the immaturity, but that's actually okay! She is young!
However, here is a confidence in delivery that is very compelling. I also appreciate the different direction that Gabriella has taken than the '1,000 plus sound roughly alike zero content generic stamped 'wannabees'.
She has the ability to rise above the MTV music video writhing femmes with their now obligatory rap artist counterparts and carve out a long lasting career.
I sincerely hope her management helps protect her from the bland ordinariness of pop-culture.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars no pigeon holes here, May 13, 2008

By	Sub Zero - See all my reviews

Hard to define. Almost pure pop, but has an edge with hints of Debra Harry attitude with some 60's retro pop sounds and beats, and a voice that sends shivers up your spine. An album that hints of better things to come.

But that voice, just keeps you coming back for more and more.