Search - Katie Melua :: Pictures

Melua's "Pictures" Worth Keeping

T. Yap | Sydney, NSW, Australia | 10/13/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Prime Cuts: What It Says on the Tin, Scary Films, If You Were a Sailboat



Born in Soviet Georgia and grown up in the United Kingdom, Melua's accent gives her a leg up over her contemporaries. For instance, the way she vocally influxes her ending notes is truly beguiling. Further, Melua is also an assiduous student of contemporary music. Perfecting the torch-like balladry of Norah Jones and picking up the hook-laden musical proclivities of Jann Arden, Melua certainly has created yet another album that is a nice crossover of contemporary jazz and pop music. While many singer-songwriters tend to indulge in lofty issues over non-melodic constructions, Melua's charm is that she takes simple (and at times even naïve) observations and builds little love stories around them. Relative to her previous couple of albums, nothing much has changed. Her longtime scribe Mike Batt is still responsible for the lion's share of the songs' genesis. However, this time the boundaries have been stretched when a languid version of Leonard Cohen's nod to post-modernity "In My Secret Life" is included.



While some men are praised by their paramours for their sensitivity or good lucks, Melua in "Scary Films" lauds praises over her lover for helping her chase away her nightmares. Though the lyrics on a cursory level may sound childish but coupled with Melua's girlish vocal twirls over its enchanting dreamy melody, "Scary Films" is so enchanting that one feels transported right into a fairy tale. Again utilizing the same "horror" theme is "Ghost Town," a forlorn broken hearted jazz ballad with a slight touch of Hank Williams' blues. While the newly composed "If I Were a Sailboat" (not that old Lyle Lovett song of the same title) may be faulted on its use of inconsistent imageries, it has a magical cull that squarely captures the romantic vertigo of falling in love.



Just as "9 Million Bicycles" was the gem of her last CD, "What It Says on the Tin" is this record's masterpiece. The gentle strumming of the guitar, the lush gush of a string-laden ensemble, and the sensuous fête fetale-esque vocals all are winsome ingredients to this exquisite and well-written love song. The fine attention paid to the lyrical content of "What I Miss the Most" is another fine example of why Melua and co-writer Andrea McEwan's writing is so engaging. However, just like her previous efforts, there are a few fillers. The mid-tempo "Spellbound" takes a break from the ballad-heavy slant of the album. Unfortunately, it suffers from too much chord changes and melodic twisting. While the light samba feel of "Perfect Circle" is acceptable without being spectacular.



Nevertheless, "Pictures" is the perfectly apt title for this disc. With the use of acerbic word pictures, unexpected motifs and picturesque language, the vignettes Melua paints through each of these 12 paeans are indelible. Never overindulging in the lethargic pandering of some jazz records and never assenting to the non-melodious gibberish of some singer-songwriter's CDs, Melua's "Pictures" is a keeper."

Great album - what's with the price?

W. Wren | Alberta | 04/13/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great album, a bit different than the previous 2 albums but not a lot. But I'm puzzled by the insane price this is showing - over $26 as I write this? I downloaded it (elsewhere) for $7.99."

My favorite Katie Melua album...so far

R. mintz | nyc | 05/05/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a Katie Melua fan for a while now. I have to say, this is my favorite of her 3 full studio albums. Technically, this is not a new Katie Melua album, but it's new to the States. Kudos to her record company for putting it out here and at such a low price. It's so much better than having to plunk down extra money for the import.



I hear a noticeable difference on this album from her previous two. Katie has grown - vocally, musically and lyrically. Her voice is perfect; she sings impeccably. If I'm not mistaken, all the tracks on this album are original songs except for Katie's bold and beautiful cover of Leonard Cohen's "In My Secret Life".



Several songs stand out for me: "If the Lights Go Out" - a jingly/jangly Pop song about the end of the world. Reminds me of 10,000 Maniacs "Like the Weather" - a song about clinical depression done with a Pop sensibility. "What I Miss About You" is an awesome anti-breakup song. Lyrically, I am reminded of Alanis Morissette but musically, I hear Brandi Carlile. The lyrics are cold but Katie's voice is warm and flows with deep emotion. I'd hate to be the guy on the other end of that song. And how about, "If You Were a Sailboat" a deeply poetic love song.



Katie Melua is an artist with longevity - her UK career proves that. Pictures is the next chapter in what will be a long journey for a very talented and gifted artist.



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