Search - Sophie Hawkins :: Tongues & Tails

Unique and sensuous debut from Sophie B.

Daniel J. Hamlow | Narita, Japan | 09/07/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"One of the most unlikeliest songs to emerge from the transitional period of the 90's was a mellow ambient number that interacted with some jangling rock guitars, haunting ethereal new age synths, seemed to foreshadow triphop, and exuded a different sensuality, more genuinely sexier and one that wasn't as flaunted outright like Madonna-"give you something sweet each time you come inside my jungle book." That song was "Damn I Wish Your Lover" by Sophie B. Hawkins, whose airy and natural-like voice took this song to #5. Many of her songs have a cosmic and metaphoric tone, giving human qualities to things like California and her open arms and golden hair in "California Here I Come," the reflective "California Here I Come," of a New Yorker fed up with the slums and going westbound for hopes of a better life.



In fact, most of Tongues and Tails follows the relaxed ambient transitional 90s music of that hit single. "Carry Me" which features the verses done in a pronounced monologue with an airy chorus chanting the title, and some sensuous coital moans done after the third verse. Her cover of Bob Dylan's "I Want You" has the same sentimental airiness of "Lover." And the mellow "Before I Walk On Fire," asks a lover for forgiveness for being weak, and humbly pleads for affirmation so one can walk those coals once again. One of the best and most heartfelt songs here. Yearning is another way to describe her voice, and her songs. "Don't Stop Swaying" combines that yearning with a monologue of Hansel and Gretel finding themselves with soulful and physical contact.



A take on the "go west" philosophy is seen in Combining 60's-like organ and snappy 80's pop with religious mysticism is the up-tempo "Mysteries We Understand." Lines like "when you become your light, shining like the sun" wouldn't be out of place on a George Harrison album. The idealism of a saviour born every day "in the valley of your soul" is the topic of "Saviour Child."



Other songs on physical sensuality with the use of heavenly metaphors include the cosmically philosophical "We Are One Body"-"it's in your solar system/it's in my super star/there's nothing more precious than the planet in our hearts." This song is set to a light uptempo drum machine and the usual slow synths.



Sensual, honest, and full of feeling is how I describe Tongues and Tails, a unique and groundbreaking offering in the hip-hop, new-soul, and leftover 80's music of the early 90's. Her sophomore effort would bring about a more mainstream yet still appealing approach.

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Art in the 90s.

Sasha | Raleigh, NC USA | 05/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The sometimes disturbing messages presented in Tongues and Tails are artfully relayed by Hawkins in this 90s-influenced album, full of quality music and lyrics. A listener can't expect that an artist won't reflect the musical styles of an era, so some may not like the way 90s fads effected the way Hawkins presents her thoughts in this breakthrough album. But, with knowledge of the artist's background, her lyrical efforts are well worth exploring. They are both unforgettable and can be heard over and over without regret. Certain lyrical expression was taboo in the 90s, but Hawkins found a way to express herself in a way that was definitely ahead of her time. I wasn't disappointed at all and have enjoyed Tongues and Tails since its release."

An Intelligent Pop Messenger

Bradley Jacobson | 04/19/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Starting with the one two bang of "Damn! I Wish I Was Your Lover" and "California Here I Come" Sophie proved that she is one of those unique artists who can bend the rules of pop music; using adult themes and actual intelligent lyrics, I was a fan from the first bars of the first single. In fact when the single was high on the charts and the next single "California..." was out, our local Wausau radio station was giving away two tickets to see Sophie in California on the Tonight Show. How I wanted to win that - first, I loved Sophie, but also I so wanted to run away and live in California, a dream I wanted since I was a wee tyke and her song just reinforced that need. I woke up at 5:40 in the morning to hear the results of the contest and though I didn't win, I did end up in California eventually! As for the rest of this dynamic debut by Miss Hawkins, "Mysteries We Understand" continues the fold of the new age pop music Sophie does so well. Along with a cover of Bob Dylan's "I Want You" and her original pieces combining horns, church bells, synths, acoustic guitars, pianos, screaming and background filler, Sophie takes us through her jaunt of inner feelings and hyperness. It's a great collection though truth be told her next album Whaler was the one that really sealed the deal for me.

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