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...
