A Shockingly Great Collection : Australia Has a New Icon
Cabir Davis | 02/07/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Listening to this Greatest Hits collection, one is amazed at just how many truly great songs Natalie has in her back catalog. I could probably have just thought of about three good singles, but with the release of this collection, one stands corrected - and its evident that there are many more songs she's released that are worthy of their `classic' tag.
Though "Torn" is often considered Imbruglia's big single (and commercially, it was), the best single here by far is "Wishing I Was There". This song sounds like something Alanis Morissette would die to record, and from the exceptionally crafted verse to the breakdown to the soaring chorus - this is the perfect pop-rock song. Everything else on the record just pales in comparison. Close on the heels of this song, is the equally stellar "Big Mistake". This song is notorious for its slow buildup leading to a climax of a chorus - much in the vein of Bjorks' "Its Oh So Quiet".
Yet, some of the other singles here, most noticeably from Imbruglia's underrated "White Lilies Island" album, seem to have aged very gracefully - though a bit `90s sounding in their production, these are all sing-along numbers that Jon Bon Jovi would feel right at home with. When Natalie slows down the tempo, things get even better. Most interesting is her "Smoke" - a true Natalie classic, and the best slower song on the album.
What about her new single "Glorious"? Well, the song was recorded especially for this Hits album, and actually opens the album. As a tune, its average, but Natalie's unique voice and modulation make this one sound much better with repeat listenings. Not sure yet if this can be called a `classic', but it is certainly a song that is well deserving of its' position on this compilation.
Lets face it - Natalie Imbruglia is not a super duper rock star, but she's perhaps the only former supermodel and TV actress who currently makes meat-and-potatoes pop-rock music. This is not Led Zeppelin - instead, its light and frothy Adult Contemporary rock music with a pop edge, and if you like Alanis Morissette, Bon Jovi, Nickelback, Milla Jovovich and Imogen Heap, then you will grow to love every single track.
Five Stars. Rediscovering Imbruglia has been one of this years' top musical highlights!
"
A Dream Come True
Reynaldo J. Velazquez | Maracay, Aragua, Venezuela | 01/03/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Real Dream Come True, almost 10 years dreaming and trying to get all natalie's Videos in one place, of course at the beggining in a VHS tape, and and now is finally here..The DVD with all Natalie's Videos including the 2 versions of Wishing I Was There...is really for me a Dream, THE dream come true
the sound is great even when is not 5.1, and the picture quality is great too for a music videos DVD. Region Free and NTSC, maybe they should put the Closed Captions or a subtitle Track with the lyrics"
Great voice
Tell It Like It Is | good ole USA | 10/06/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Although best known for her major hit Torn, she is a very capable vocalist. I was not familiar with many of the tracks on this CD before hearing it today, and there were many pleasant surprises. The sound engineering is consistently excellent, and her vocals are steady. She has a somewhat unique voice that is very pleasant. The DVD is a nice plus."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1