Maturity...
J. HARMON | Houston, Texas | 02/18/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Many fans of 10,000 MANIACS older albums (IN MY TRIBE and earlier) might not like this album but for my tastes, it is a jewel of a release.
Natalie Merchant left the band in 1993 to pursue more musical freedom as her lyrical interests were growing increasingly divisive from that of some of her band mates musical styles. In fact, some band members groused mightily during the recording and subsequent release of BLIND MAN'S ZOO thus requiring OUR TIME IN EDEN to be more akin to IN MY TRIBE rather than its predecessor.
As Natalie's musical interests grow and her desire for more and more sociologically relevant of song lyrics, her voice also finds its maturity. No longer the teen angel of her earliest works and the bouyant beauty of IN MY TRIBE and even BLIND MAN'S ZOO (found within the song TROUBLE ME), Natalie's voice grows deeper and a tad coarse at times, as the song requires.
The music themselves are played in distinctly different fundamental keys than many of her 10,000 MANIACS recordings and the instrumentation itself involves significant diversity from song to song while remaining true to the core of the album. The sharp tones and electronic experimentation of which the MANIACS were renowned, is distinctly absent.
However, fans of Ms. Merchant's vision would find this album to be a magnificent release from a woman facing more and more of life's struggles as she passes more and more days from her youthful naivete.
JEALOUSY and WONDER are two of the more ambitious and energetic of tracks from this album. RIVER just might be the most beautiful and heartfelt of songs from her extensive repertoire. Written about the tragedy befallen of River Pheonix from an insiders perspective, the song decries the detestable media sensationalism that now permeates our society.
WHERE I GO is a sweet testimonial of a lovely lady's abandon of the everyday maladies in search of a stream where in serenity and tranquility are found.
BLIND MAN'S ZOO foreshadows Natalie's growing concer over all things corrupt in the world. OUR TIME IN EDEN draws ever clearer her longing for folk music. TIGERLILY is the embodiment of all of her elements while looking forward to the effort of OPHELIA and later MOTHERLAND (which I do not enjoy).
TIGERLILY is the maturity of a lovely young lady into a genuine wonderful women and the music within her heart. I hope you will enjoy the album as much as I do. It is a moment in her life that will never be again."
Pure nostalgia
C. salazar | southern ca | 04/28/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"my aunt who was in college at the time would listen to tigerlily as well as 10,000 maniacs, when she gave me this cd i was about 8 or 9 and LOVED it. there was something amazing about her. at the time, most kids my age were into nsync/ backstreet boys and later britney and spice girls. and me... i was singing wonder and candy everybody wants. i've recently fell in love again."