Beth Orton - Comfort of Strangers

[jpelg]

To be released February 7th.

It's been a long time since her last ("real") album. Saw her on Letterman the other night. She's not the most exciting live performer, but as someone who owns & loves her previous three CD's, I'm a big fan. It's on my definite to-buy list.

Anyone else excited?

 

[markl]

Very excited!

 

[wakeride74]

I really loved the track she did on Chemical Brothers Exit Planet Dust but have never picked up any of her albums. I listened to the last one she released and found it a bit uninteresting. Is there any demos from the new one on her site to hear?

 

[jpelg]

I think her latest website has only one track to download.

Even so, I find low-bitrate downloads totally unusable for determining the viability of an album. Especially not-so-immediately accessible stuff. Beth's work deserves dedicated listening time, imo.

 

[Nightfall]

To be released February 7th.

"It's been a long time since her last ("real") album. Saw her on Letterman the other night. She's not the most exciting live performer",


That was an extremely kind way of putting it, JPELG.

Thank god live performances dont necessarily have any relationship to recorded work with some artists. Lets face it, at least based on several live appearances on late night shows, shes terrible live. She seems extremely shaky, has not the slightest idea of how present her performance onstage and sings almost as though shes deeply frightened. Perhaps she simply doesnt work well in front of people? A female friend of mine (who I turned on to Beth long ago) was watching the Letterman gig with me and turned to me in disbelief.
All of that said, the cd's have been good stuff all along. I'm eagerly awaiting the new cd too, with the rest of you.


JC

 

[taoster]

I have mixed feelings about Beth Orton. Not too long ago she would be high in my CD rotation but recently when ever I hear her I cringe.. That is not to say I don't like her but that you can overdose on her unique voice and its whiney enough to cause discomfort at times.

 

[jpelg]

Today's the day!

I spent the extra dough for the "Limited Edition" containing some extra tracks on a second CD. About to hunker-down for a listen.

Anyone else get theirs? Regular or LTD?

 

[Wmcmanus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpelg Today's the day! I spent the extra dough for the "Limited Edition" containing some extra tracks on a second CD. About to hunker-down for a listen. Anyone else get theirs? Regular or LTD?

I'm waiting for your impressions, Jimmy. I've got most of her stuff but don't listen to it often. It's the type of thing that I just need to be in the right mood for.

 

[kencer]

I have heard of her in the past but never got round to giving her a try. which band/artist does she sound like?

 

[sno1man]

I picked it up today though I wish I had known there was a limited edition....

I think this is one of those albums that is going to take awhile to get in to.

There is nothing as immediately impressive as Stolen Car, Sweetest Decline, or This One's Gonna Bruise.

 

[geek707]

A review from the Seattle PI.
Quote:

Ten years after her electro-folk debut, Orton is redefining herself by finding herself. Shedding many of the synthetic flourishes and danceable framing devices that defined her earlier work, she's now at her essence. Recorded in two weeks with studio impresario Jim O'Rourke, the 14 songs are straightforward and understated. Most were captured in the first take with minimal overdubs and little more than a peppering of clever instrumentation built around Orton's slouchy vocals. Even so, the slight piano and guitar chords manifest themselves as if trying to emulate the warmth and tenderness of Orton's inviting voice. It's a career-defining collection.

Sounds interesting.

 

[jpelg]

After a first blush listen, I totally agree with that review. She's gone in a slightly different direction (simple, basic, rock/folk, personal, more grounded) without shedding her classic 'ness'. Not an electronic sample to be found. I almost think she would have been comfortable playing this stuff at Woodstock alongside Joplin, or Mitchell, & the like. Great energy, upbeat (unlike her live performance

), yet still beautiful. Nice diversity. Old fans will be very happy, and I'd venture a guess that this album will garner new fans. If you felt that you had to be 'in the mood' to listen to her previous efforts, this CD wil be a pleasant change, as I can see people listening more frequently to this one 'just because' you wanted to.

Haven't listened to the bonus CD yet. Quote:

Originally Posted by sno1man I think this is one of those albums that is going to take awhile to get in to.

Hmmm...I think this album is very accessible *shrug*.

 

[markl]

Wow, big change for her. It's going to take some adjusting to for me, though it certainly is enjoyable at first listen. Even though it's simpler, it's more "professional" sounding, very 70's singer-songwritery. Not a synth in sight. Her songs are more structured, the vocals less woozy and swooning, which for me was part of her charm. Is she getting "better" and progressing as a musician, or losing her spark? I'll need more listens to decide for myself.


P.S. Does anyone else think this CD sound no-noised? It's kind of muffled and lacks air and presence. Kind of suffocated and dull.

 

[sno1man]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpelg Haven't listened to the bonus CD yet.Hmmm...I think this album is very accessible *shrug*.

I guess it depends on where you are coming from. Central reservation was my entry point for her and the dichotomy of singer-songwriter with electronics was a breath of fresh air. Sweetest Decline is one of my favorite songs.

The new album is more accessible in a conventional sense and probably my problem was expectations. I am liking it quite a bit now that I have had some time with it. It is definitely some of her best songwriting.

Ironically I applaud her willingness to take a risk by going more conventional. How many artists can you say that about?

 

[Nightfall]

Quote:

Originally Posted by markl P.S. Does anyone else think this CD sound no-noised? It's kind of muffled and lacks air and presence. Kind of suffocated and dull.

Right there with you. Almost a total lack of air.



JC