"...on the brink of worldwide fame..." - Evening Standard
"...this album is as good as all the hoop-la suggests..." - Daily Express
"a gorgeous, grown up voice like Norah Jones but with a slice of Ella Fitzgerald." - The Times
I'm sorry, but I have to disagree, particularly with the last one. Katie Melua may have natural talent, but her lyrical content skims the surface level, floating around with cheesey love lines, out of place metaphors, and words that just don't poetically flow together. The songs are trying hard to be mature, but unfortunately, the lyrics are reminiscent of Norah Jones drunk at a sorority party six years ago. I remember numerous times asking my wife, "Did she just say 'vodka shots'?" But, you might think otherwise.
Article comments
1 - Bryan McKay
I think some examples might be appropriate here to help illustrate your points. If the music itself is bad, there's not really a way to quote it on the site, but you can always back up your lyrical analysis with some evidence!
2 - Eric Olsen
indeed, but pithy nonetheless - thanks and welcome John!
3 - Jeremy Chrysler
I submit for your consideration, the following lines from the song 'My Aphrodesiac is You':
She fails to recognize all of the tremendous opium from other parts of the world.4 - Eric Olsen
a failing of blasphemous proportions for such a reputedly "international" artist
5 - jmac
ok.
"So I stop one day to figure it out,
I'll quit my job without a shadow of a doubt,
To sing the blues that I know about,
My life is just a slow train crawling up a hill. "
and...
"This is the closest thing to crazy I have ever been
Feeling twenty-two, acting seventeen,
This is the nearest thing to crazy I have ever known, "
and...
All the lyrics to 'My Aphrodisiac is You'
and...what is this writing?
"When that man and I are wed
I'm gonna keep him warm in bed
And when my man's no longer hot
I'm gonna bring him a vodka shot
And when that spirit's made him strong
I'm gonna stay with him all night long
I'll be holding on tightly
Woah, woah"
and...
"You are the tiger burning bright
Deep in the forest of my night
You are the one who keeps me strong in this world."
I'm not bashing her voice, its not that. But she starts these songs, gets the listener in a certain 'mood', and then sings a line as if your parents are turning on the lights as you are making out on the couch with your girlfriend. Mood interrupted, not going back.
6 - Eric Olsen
I'd say that was ample specification!