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Total ratings: 2417
Length: 6:48
Plays (last 30 days): 3
the apple and the fall of man
the price we pay
so the people say
Down the path of shame it led us
dare to bite the hand that fed us
fairy tale the moral end
wheel of fortune never turns again
Never turns again
The worst of it is come and gone in the chaos of millennium
in the falling out of the doomsday crowd
their last retreat is moving slow
they burn their bridges as they go
the heretic is beautified
he'll teach the harlot's child to smile
Wracked again by indecision
should we make that small incision
testify to the bleeding heart inside?
we cut, we scratched
we ran, we slashed
and when he opened up at last
found a cul-de-sac
deep and black
of smoke and ash
The wicked king of parody
is kissing all his enemies
on the seventh day
of the seventh week
the tyrant's voice is softer now
but just for one forgiving hour
before the rise of his
iron fist again
fist again
I've come tonight
I've come to know
the way we are
the way we'll go
come to measure this
the width of the wide abyss
I come to you in restless sleep
where all your dreams turn bittersweet
with voodoo doll philosophies
and day-glow holy trinities
the crooked raft that leaves the shore
ferries drunken souls aboard
pilgrims march to Compostela
visions of their saint in yellow
all follow deep in trance
lost in a catatonic dance
know no future
damn the past
blind, warm, ecstatic
safe at last...
underrated album.
Vastly.
In case anyone else was curious, the guitarist was Daniel Lanois.
Sublime guitar work. Also great bass by Graham Maby (long time bassist for Joe Jackson).
Tonight I heard the lyrics. This is not trite pop pablum. For reasons that defy logic, a disappointing number of listeners here choose to dislike her music almost as if it represents an affront to their esthetic standards. Listen to the music and make sense of the thought in the words and you may come to appreciate the artistry here, as I have.
Thanks Bam23. What you wrote 8 years ago is exactly what I was going to write today.
You're a psychic mind reader!
Not too many of those around. smiley face (I can't find how to put the picture in so I typed)
In case anyone else was curious, the guitarist was Daniel Lanois.
Now that you mention it, it's obvious. He is one of my favorite guitarists, such a unique player. I think he plays on a lot of the albums he produces (most?). I don't think he produced this one, Natalie is listed as the producer. Cool insight.
Yes, enjoy the music -and- the lecture...
10-4 copy that
In case anyone else was curious, the guitarist was Daniel Lanois.
Hearing the guitar just now, I had to turn on his performance of Orange Kay on Sessions At West 54th and play it LOUD. (Bill/Becca, can we please get that added to the playlist?)
This is genius, she's a bit country for me but I love everything about this
Wonderful song. BTW, shouldn't that line be "the heretic is beatified" ?
That makes more sense, but she sings "beautified". And since she wrote the song, who are we to criticise her choice of words?
Always liked NM and her turn with 10,000 but her lyrics always sound rather sanctimonious. <snip>
I would describe her voice and the music as "introspective."
In case anyone else was curious, the guitarist was Daniel Lanois.
Thanks. This guitar is so weird and brilliant - I just love it...
Where is Natalie Merchant when we need her?
I prefer the clearer diction, tone and dynamics of the likes of Sandy Denny, June Tabor, Hannah Reid, Joni Mitchell (I'm trying not to be too English!), Annie Lennox, even Cyndi Lauper. Natalie strikes me as the female equivalent of Eddie Vedder, with whom alas I also struggle with the quavery effect.
I want to know where the other 9,999 manics are. I think they could probably help.
Cool! Did not know that.
Unique phrasing with the E-bow
Could it be that they're correct?
It is not a dark song, it is the reality catching up on human kind !
First of all, losing interest is demonstrably different from slagging the artist on the message board.
Secondly, "lack of range" as a reason for not appreciating and artist's, especially one as nuanced as Ms. Merchant, work is a poor reason for losing interest. Many people can hit higher or lower notes than Natalie. That doesn't mean that they can sing. Or write. Or compose. Or perform.
My view on this piece and album is that Natalie Merchant created a nuanced set of songs that work very well within her range. On this track the feedback, keyboards, and overdubbing supplement her voice. In other words, the performance and composition (which are credited to Natalie Merchant) keep my interest in ways that her live performance of 10,000 Maniacs tunes doesn't on the "Unplugged" album, for example. Good artists understand their strengths and limitations, but also test them... and occasionally fail ("number nine, number nine, number nine...").
Tosh? What twaddle!
Haters gonna hate.
Those who can't do....post.
Amen.
It doesn't matter what I say
So long as I sing with inflection
If that is what you want from a singer, Natalie Merchant is not your cup of tea. But that doesn't mean it's bad tea, it's just not your cup of tea. For me, that's another artist who is not Natalie Merchant, who I like (for her lyrics and her voice).
So I hit Play Something Different but don't rate down and try not to comment (by name).
wgsu_1978 wrote:
I was enchanted with the color of Merchant's voice at first. Once her lack of range became apparent I lost interest.
First of all, losing interest is demonstrably different from slagging the artist on the message board.
Secondly, "lack of range" as a reason for not appreciating and artist's, especially one as nuanced as Ms. Merchant, work is a poor reason for losing interest. Many people can hit higher or lower notes than Natalie. That doesn't mean that they can sing. Or write. Or compose. Or perform.
The going rate was $737,825.52 last time I checked.
thanks Bill!
I was enchanted with the color of Merchant's voice at first. Once her lack of range became apparent I lost interest.
Yes, enjoy the music -and- the lecture...
The going rate was $737,825.52 last time I checked.
I am happy to experience her talent and voice here. I guess you can switch to other internet radio when Natalie's songs come on. If I'm not fond of something I rate it low and move on.
Has nothing to do with logic, and everything to do with aesthetics, opinion, and, is absolutely subjective. I have read the lyrics and given this album a chance, I just don't like her voice. I appreciate art, and artistry, but that does not mean I have to like it.
....yep, me too
Hmmm. Would that be in the "damning with faint praise" department?
Can't stand her personally. She goes out to sea on the raft with Neko Case, Fiona Apple, etc. etc. The estrogen express.
I don't know Natalie Merchant "personally", so I couldn't say whether or not I could "stand her", but she doesn't seem at all to belong in the same boat as those other two (especially in terms of timbre and range) - unless it's a very large boat. Stylistically, the only thing those three have in common is their gender.
Put me on that raft! A dream voyage and a middle-aged man's fantasy :o)
I am a strict homeopath when it comes to Ms. Merchant.
Vanishingly small doses preferred.
That about wraps it up for me as well.
The tuner must have been on vacation, couple keys are flat
Hmmm. Would that be in the "damning with faint praise" department?
Can't stand her personally. She goes out to sea on the raft with Neko Case, Fiona Apple, etc. etc. The estrogen express.
I'd be on that raft in a second. You stay here and watch football.
Hmmm. Would that be in the "damning with faint praise" department?
Can't stand her personally. She goes out to sea on the raft with Neko Case, Fiona Apple, etc. etc. The estrogen express.
Quite true. I'm not really interested in most of Natalie Merchant's stuff, but this is listenable to me; it differs from her usual output and at least it is not the aforementioned singer.
vaiodon wrote:
I love this voice, Natalie Merchant has a similar effect on me to Eddie Vedder. I'm not saying they're similar voices, it's just the way the emotion processes. The searing guitar isn't too unfamiliar either.
I love this voice, Natalie Merchant has a similar effect on me to Eddie Vedder. I'm not saying they're similar voices, it's just the way the emotion processes. The searing guitar isn't too unfamiliar either.
Her voice is like nails on a chalkboard. That's a HARD 1 from me.
I'm adding some hard 7, to make it true!