BEAUTY ON FIRE

Natalie's sophomore album was no slump in an artistic way. It's understandable that music has move to a more pop friendly arena, by the time Natalie's second effort came to life. But I cannot get how can a superb single like THAT DAY got overlooked, the melancolic state and the outstanding performance of miss Imbruglia in the track is just delicious. WRONG IMPRESSION, okay here's where the problem began. How do you spect people in the US to like a clon of her classic TORN, it is a total marketing mess to try to promote Torn Pt. II as the first single of a more mature soft rock album. Don't get me wrong, this tune is fine but not her best joint in the LP. BEAUTY ON FIRE her last international single, is more mature and hot rock track. Summing all up, WHITE LILIES ISLAND is a more mature and clever delivery from beautiful childish voice Natalie, it is sad that radio or label failed to promoted well.

style meets substance in this classic overlooked gem!

First of all, who gives a rat's butt if she's an actress of not? If you can't listen to an album for the music, why waste your money??



Second, "Torn" though a great song indeed, was Phil Thornally's creation and was used to hedge the bets on her breakout album ever seeing the charts (let alone platinum success). Natalie interprets the song divinely, but she also has a few thoughts of her own to share and that's where her own material comes in.



Third, this album is a divine melting of all-things indie-pop with a "chick" perspective that happens to be very human and not at all in your face. Natalie's writing is first and foremost HERS and secondly very honest. That makes for engaging lyrics every time- be they about missing the sunshine, missing the boy, missing the boat, or missing the things you used to miss!



The kick off single ("Wrong Impression") was an obvious homage to another confessional girl-fronted outfit-the Sundays (as well as an honest statement of that point in her career). It amazed me how many people failed to make the Sundays connection, but that's good in that Natalie succeeded in honoring without ripping-off. I really dug the song, but still had to check the songs credits to be sure "Gavurin/Wheeler" didn't pop up! Kicking off with that single was a way of saying that Natalie's in touch with the more respected "indie" mainstays and also gives a clue to what to expect on the album: mostly fantastic guitar-based arrangements and wonderfully gentle, often lilting, sometimes silly, and amazingly frank homespun poetry from a girl unashamed of her girl-dom.



I'm taken on an emotional journey that defies gender but indeed embodies adolescence (in it's purist form), and that makes for an winning effort in today's pop climate, where gentle touches are as rare as true virgins...



Dive into this album and marvel at the individualtiy of the songs, the deft musicianship that honors many and steals from none, and the developing poetry of someone who's not good enough an actress to pull off a winner like this. (she's a good enough writer and singer, and that's what I buy c.d.'s for, how about you?)



by the way... this album's singles have some quintessentially tasty b-sides that make one long for the 45 rpm single. Check them out!

Very surprising sound

This is my only Natalie Imbruglia Album at the moment and I must say I'm quite shocked at her sound. Having only heard Wrong Impression and Torn from Natalie I was expecting a more poppy sound. Instead Natalie has a sound that is a bit Lisa Loeb(funny that the current Amazon duo purchase for this item is with Lisa Loeb's "Cake and Pie"), a bit of the lead singer from The Corrs, and a bit of a brilliant Italian artist named Elisa. All 3 of those are great artists but leave you feeling like you might have heard the sound/song before. In the end, it was probably the fear of a poppy sound that made me stay away from Natalie for so long, however I'm impressed with her emulation of those 3 artists and Natalie even has some tracks where she claims her own voice/style. Overall I'm very impressed.



That Day: This song sounds exactly like Lisa Loeb. The voice is a bit different(obviously) but the way the lyrics are delivered and the music are exactly like Lisa.



Beauty on the Fire: Absolutely gorgeous song. Probably my favorite on the Album. The layers of music here really bring me in...and the Natalie's voice doesn't get any better.



Satellite: Once again a little bit like Lisa Loeb. A lot more playful song than a typical Lisa Loeb song though.



Do You Love?: This song sounds a lot like Elisa. The voice and the type of lite rock are exactly the same.



Wrong Impression: This makes 5 tracks and 5 great songs so far.



Goodbye: Once again this sounds like Elisa but with touches of Madonna. Good and sad.



Everything Goes: I love singing along with this song. Kinda like The Corrs except for the chorus which sounds nothing like The Corrs.



Hurricane. This really sounds like The Corrs. Another good song.



Sunlight: Elisa/Lisa sounding...which is a pretty unique sound and song.



Talk In Tongues: Lisa sounding. The first song I'm not much a fan of though. Just a little too slow and uninteresting.



Butterflies: Love the sound to this song, although I think there is a good reason it is #11 on the CD...just not as magical as the first 9 songs.



Come September: I must honestly say I haven't listened to this song too much...I'm usually craving one of the great songs that comes before it and go back to whatever song I'm wanting to hear. Even as I'm writing this and listening to the song, I'm wanting to hear something else. But once again, this song sounds like The Corrs. Listening, listening...decent song.



Natalie Imbruglia has an amazing voice and she even co-writes her own songs. She probably isn't as talented with any instruments as Lisa is with the guitars or The Corrs are with all their Irish instruments or even Elisa and whatever she plays(The Piano I believe is her forte). But that's alright, even if Natalie Imbruglia only sings and writes(which I think is correct, I may be wrong) she has won my heart and my ears with White Lilies Island. A fantastic album. I'll be looking forward to getting her next album which comes out soon and her first disc to see how they compare to this gem.