Search - Gabriella Cilmi :: Lessons to Be Learned

Fresh!

Olukayode Balogun | Leeds, England | 05/21/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A number have people have found success in recent times, after allowing one of their songs to be used in a TV commercial. Off the top of my head I can think of people like José González, Feist, Yael Naim...



Well, now we can add to that list the name of Australian songstress Gabriella Cilmi (pronounced "chill me"), who generated quite a buzz here in the UK after her sparkly song "sweet about me" was used to promote a new 'upside down' version of a deodorant for women. On it she sings: "If there's lessons to be learned/ I'd rather get my jamming words in first oh/ Tell ya something that I've found/ That the world's a better place when it's upside down boy", so you can see how it ties in neatly with the product in question. I certainly wanted to know who the song was by and it was my main man Joe who came to my rescue, put me out of my misery and told me who it was. (Thanks Joe!)



For me, none of the other songs match the sheer magic of "sweet about me", sadly, (and it is available as a single) but this is no one-hit album. Other notable tracks include the groovy opener, "save the lies", the mournful "sanctuary", "einstein", the amazingly infectious "don't want to go to bed now", "messy", the pleading ballad "safer", "sit in the blues" and the UK bonus track, "echo beach", a thumping, electric guitar-driven number. Joseph didn't think that I'd like this album but I so do. It's so fresh!



Cilmi's spine-chilling voice reminds me of someone else's but up until now, I've not been able to put my finger on who that might be. (A cross between Jill Scott and Amy Winehouse, dare I suggest?) Her sound is definitely her own though and she delivers it refreshingly and assurdly on this release. Production is by Xenomania (Girls Aloud, Sugababes) and I have to agree with the editorial on this one: this is pop perfection with a twist.



I have a feeling she's going to do well with this, particularly in this country and across Europe, where 'quirky' and 'difficult-to-categorise' are often quicker to find favour than they are in the US. The album climbed up to #8 on the UK Top 40 this week, while the single is at #19, which is telling in itself. It's a pity there are no sound clips but if you were looking for some left-of-centre music and a female singer with a quirky, unique and unbridled vocal style, this one's for you. Highly recommended."

No pigeon holes here

Sub Zero | 05/13/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Hard to define. Almost pure pop, but has an edge with hints of Debra Harry attitude with some 60's retro pop sounds and beats, and a voice that sends shivers up your spine. An album that hints of better things to come.



But that voice, just keeps you coming back for more and more."

Echo Beach!

Nse Ette | Lagos, Nigeria | 05/25/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I probably wouldn't have heard of Gabriella Cilmi or her album if not for my Amazon buddy Olukayode Balogun. I must confess, I was a bit wary as I wasn't too sure of his Pop antecedents (:-)) and also seeing as the album was produced by Xenomania whose work includes Girls Aloud, a group whose music I'm not crazy about. Anyways, as he's usually got impeccable musical taste, I decided to give it a try.



Vocally, she falls somewhere in between Duffy and Amy Winehouse, though I find her voice tends to get a bit whiny at times. Still, she does sound soulful.



Opening is the upbeat pop/rock song "Save the lies" which is just ok (it wouldn't sound out of place on a Girls Aloud album) and I thought, uh oh! However, next comes the single "Sweet about me" which wouldn't sound too out of place on Duffy's album. It is a sixties sounding Motown-esque swinging pop song and it is rather nice. Continuing in that mould are "Sanctuary", the retro ballad "Einstein" (nice guitars), and the sixties stomp "Messy". On the upbeat side of things are "Got no place to go" and "Don't want to go to bed now" (which reminds me somewhat of Blondie's "Call me" but without the synthesizers.



Next come a spectacular pair of songs; the Blues-tinged string swept "Awkward game" (this song is brilliant, my favourite), and the tender piano ballad "Safer". Both are reason enough to get this album.



"Cigarettes and lies" is another swinging retro sounding number, "Terrifying" is upbeat Blues, while the ballad "Sit in the blues" is simply lovely. Closing is the bonus cut, "Echo beach", a remake of the Martha & the Muffins song, a bouncy romp with jangly Smiths-style guitars with Cilmi again channelling Blondie. Super!



A pleasant addition to any music collection. Thanks once again Kayode."