Obviously I can't say for certain, but I don't think Melua has that certain something that's going to land a connecting punch. I can't say I'm a fan of Norah Jones, but I entirely understand the appeal and think she has a fantastic voice. Melua might have a good voice, but I found it annoying because she seemed to be forcing it into awkward melodies. I found it unusually unpleasant to listen to, actually, and that's actually a very uncommon reaction from me. At least I felt something, I suppose - it's just the opposite of what any artist would want.

yea, i don't know where she'll go either.

but there was something about her voice that attracted me (and i really don't love the material...though some was pretty good).

i've always liked 'unique' voices...victoria williams, bjork, stina nordistam, mum.

First of all Mark, you should be severely beaten for invoking the holy name of Sinead around this nothing record.

Second, this Melua record is just crap. I think Mr Johnson gives it too much credit to describe it as unpleasant to listen to. That would suggest that it had some kind of active emotional power.

It's not a question of not considering it in the right genre. It sucks ass as a jazz vocal album, it sucks ass as an album of showtunes, it sucks ass as pop music, it sucks ass in any genre you may wish to consider it.

In short, this is perhaps the most obvious piece of contrived corporate swill on a CD that I've ever heard.

One more word in defense of this NONSENSE, and I swear I'll take off the gloves and tell you what I REALLY think about it.

geezuz, so much wasted venom.

dang, i shoulda worked Elvis Costello's name in there too.

I never thought I'd agree with Mark, but I thought the album was good, especially since she is only 19.

I have a full review at my website.

gees tom, i hope i can make it home for dinner before the apocalypse hits full swing!

Judging by the reactions here and elsewhere, I bet this actually makes an impact instead of slipping into obscurity. I don't know, obviously, but it sure seems like the more divided opinions something gets, the more people say "I gotta check this out." I'm sure the label is well aware of this, and the blitz of review copies they've given us BCers seems to prove that at least they believe it. I'll be curious to see where this album is in a year - cutout bin, or top of the charts?

Yeah Tom, I've bought more than one record and movie ticket because of vicious reviews. I may yet end up watching Gigli.

However, if you read MY review and STILL go out and spend money on this turd, you'll get NO sympathy from me.

This record blows chunks, but more power to Ms Melua if she can convince people to give her money for it.

What I _really_ want to read is Sinead's account of her breakup with Al.

I have bought this album many many times now for both myself and friends and family. This girl is a big talent with such a beautiful voice. The album itself has some really wonderful orignal tracks that just get better and better each time you hear them. So to come across this page and read so many negative comments about the work of a young 19 is very disappointing to say the least. This album has sold over 1.5M copies in the UK alone, it was No1 twice, it is universally critically acclaimed in the uk. it speaks for its self. can any of you mindless morons actually sing, hold a note, i dont think so. when you can, when you have the voice, the range, then my almeans then have your say, but untill then clean your fucking ears, dudes!!!!

can any of you mindless morons actually sing, hold a note, i dont think so. when you can, when you have the voice, the range, then my almeans then have your say, but untill then clean your fucking ears, dudes!!!!

No, see, here's how it works. We listen to things, and then we decide how we feel about them. It's a pretty simple process. It just so turns out that the majority of us don't like what we've heard when it comes to young Miss Melua. Most of the reviews have been very thoughtful about why they feel the way they do, but don't let that stand in your way of insulting people.

it speaks for its self.

You can say that again. I didn't even hear the entire album, just the single (over and over and over) and the previews Amazon offers. Boy DID it speak for itself.