Premature Evaluation: Sia - some people have real problems
some people have real problems is Sia's first album in more than three years. The Australian torch singer ended up on our radar after "Breathe Me" ended up on Six Feet Under. Later, she had more visual presence with her prophylactics and pantyhose video for "Buttons" (the tune appears as a bonus track here). We'd also heard "Electric Bird" (song 11), which turns out to be one of Some People's few highlights. It's strange. For the first five songs of this newbie, Sia croons and trills like the worst Barnes & Noble soundtrack -- prep yourself for some of that jazz-er-cising for the holidays. The children's choir on "Little Black Sandals" has a very different effect than, say, the children's choir on Yeasayer's "2080." It's a matter of aesthetics. Over-enunciation and cheese aside, after Beck makes his guest vocal turn on "Academia" (song six), she changes pace ... some.
She works best when approximating Aimee Mann (see "Academia" or "Electric Bird"), less successful when kicking it like olden day Whitney Houston vocalizing out of control (see various). We know she's in with José González and Zero 7, but man the end result is very softsational and adult contempo. As mentioned, it does pick up after Beck's bari-intoning on "Academia," which is followed by a smoky piano-dusted cover of the Pretenders's "I Go To Sleep" and the hand-clapping, sexy and playful "Playground." Then, well, it's back to those fucking Good Morning America trills and faux inspirationals (strike up the gospel choir, up the emotion, affix the saccharine tears). Some People was produced by Jimmy Hogarth, who also deals with Amy Winehouse and James Blunt ... that's sorta the perfect hybrid to visualize Sia Kate Isobelle Furler's sound. Bring on the brass fanfare. I'll have an extra skinny latte, please.
Sia - "Electric Bird" (MP3)
some people have real problems is out 1/8 on Astralwerks. Since we don't know who won the Sia album art competition, here's this:
UPDATE: Confirmed official album art...
Posted at 4:47 PM in Album Art, MP3, Premature Evaluation
Tags: Sia
Um...is that seriously the album art?
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Sadly, yes.
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I think though it's because she has this playful, kiddish nature for herself. When I saw her a few weeks ago, she had these light up flowers and stuffed animals everywhere.
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Her sound gets more and more boring... what a plunker.
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^i agree with you Cash. but i think the song Academia off this album is worth checking out. catchy, good lyrics...
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I kinda like the album art, but if Electric Bird is an album highlight I don't have high hopes. I love what she's done with Zero 7 but there are only a few tracks on the Colour and the Shape that are actually worth playing. I just get the feeling this won't be too great.
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Nice photo - art - whatever, great voice coming out of that little blonde head . . . good tune as well, pity the other poster punters can't see it . . . ah well, no accounting for taste, now is there.
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i just went back and listened to Breathe Me for the first time in awhile...such a good song. and I guess this is a sign that I should go ahead and finish the last season of SFU. i figured if i stopped watching it, it would never really be over. best show ever...
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yikes, gum. I go to sleep is a kinks original
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You should hear "Soon We'll Be Found" Now that's a real gem.
I don't like the cover art... Wasn't there supposed to be a competition winner's artwork on the front? Weren't any of them good enough?
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I think Sia has an amazing voice which I love both on this album and on Colour the Small One. As far as I'm concerned, some people may have problems but Sia isn't one of them. I love everything she does and I hope she keeps doing it. And I think the album art is cute, but then I don't buy albums according to how much I like the cover photo anyway.
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Sia is goooood. The only real experience I have of Sia is when she played with Zero 7 at webster hall last year. She was great. In fact, I think Zero 7 live is a little dry and generic when it comes to live performances (although there music is great) but when she was on stage it livened things up. She was pouring drinks for the band since it was the last show of their tour and was the liveliest thing on the stage, great to watch. And I patch that show in with M. Ward, since it was close together and I don't get to new york enough to see shows, but both together made for an enjoyable summer outside of baltimore.
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I loved her from the first time I heard her sing. Sia is friggin fabulous AND not only does she have great control of her voice but she sings with such vulnerability and depth. So, all you haters should just sit back, relax and give her albums another chance. Plus, she is super duper cute, doesn't take herself so seriously and she's a totally unique artist.
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I Have To Agree With you on that' Her Music Is Sooooo Beautiful,
I Listen to Lots & Lots Of Deffrent Types of music all the Time, But I Never (Sia)
Heard Music Like Hers Before & Thats Very Rare, So Would You Native Thinkin
People Stop Hateing & Just Take The Time To Listen To Her Tracks- Really Really Hear Her Voice & Melody In Her.
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i dont give a shit about cover photo.this album is worth buying at least for the song 'soon we'll be found' and 'day too soon'.Sia has an unique voice and in the short run she'll get what she deserves.I think it is great album and she will come with better albums.Thank you for your music Sia.I give 8,5/10.
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