quipowerty's Full Review: Heroes & Thieves * by Vanessa Carlton
Dear Vanessa Carlton,
You're as talented as ever and unfortunately still underetimated (what's wrong with the music industry?) I understand that you've had a difficult time adjusting to life after White Houses and the fact that it did not do as well as you desired it.
Also, It's about time you dumped that wishy-washy crackpot named Steven Jenkins. It's clear from your last record and its sales that the way he took full part in the making of Harmonium did not bode well for your career. There are plenty of girls out there who would love his crazy semi-outlandish style, but I'm glad you're not one of them.
However, I must object strongly to your decision to close ranks with record producer Irv Gotti and his 'The Inc.' recording studio. Irv Gotti (real name is Irving Lorenzo) specializes mostly in hip hip, R&B, and (sadly) gangsta rap. He was once closely connected to the Supreme Team, a vicious criminal gang led by one-time acquaintance Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff, who was known for his brutality, his penchant for ordering military-style attacks on other drug dealers and even innocent bystanders, leaving a trail of dead bodies and devastated families and friends in his wake. After McGriff and many of his henchmen were imprisoned, Irv Gotti wisely broke all contact with them and decided to go legit, but the stigma for me is still there.
That said, your new album is actually quite attractive to listeners' ears, but it wasn't promoted the way it should have been. Clearly your singing skills are badly underestimated. Note: I'll judge you on your own merits and will not compare you to other pianists, who have their own merits and flaws- except for one who has emerged as your rival.
Nolita Fairytale. This little melody describes your cute soujourn in New York after you moved there, dumped your record company, rented out an aprtment, and did some modeling. It's upbeat and cute. I saw your video for the song, supposedly set in the Soho-Nolita section of Manhattan, hence the name, and the daily lives of its residents and the gritty setting. and I liked it a lot; I still do.
Hands on Me is a little, well, kinky. I saw your video for the song and it's a little too erotic for me to describe here, but the melody is very upbeat and catchy and makes people smile.
Spring Street was depressing to me, since it describes the 'circle of life' with a girl moving to the city, dumping a boyfriend, and moving back as a mother and lamenting what she left behind. The circle of life will soon rinse and repeat itself with the next young girl, and both that storyline and the chorus is rather depressing. My least favorite.
Home Starts out conventional and slow, describes a cute little soujourn to a city before coming home to family (nothing innovative there), but then comes the piano solo after about 4:00, which is utterly beautiful and addictive.
My Best: Excellent start, although after the third stanza it gets a little repetitive. Clearly you desire someone who wants a long-term-relationship and want to "make it last".
The One with Stevie Nicks about you meeting an old college flame, could have been sung better by you alone. You outshine Nicks here.
Heroes & Thieves: Very classical. From listening to this melody I get the feeling that you like to indulge in fantasy-fairytale scenarios with dragons, white knights, princesses, and the like.
Undone is mostly instrumental, and ironically the instrumental sections showcase your talents more than your singing here.
This Time: From what I understand the message of a girl struggling to get over a broken relationship and crying and then finally standing up. It may be at least a passign reference to Steven Jenkins, who you finally saw as the untalented slimebag that he is and dumped him, but it was still painful and sorrowful.
Fools Like Me: A very funny tale about daily life about the mistakes people make every day. The message, accompanied by melodies similar to Hands on Me, is a little confusing, although the melodies (dogs run down thew beach, and all I'm left with is sand in my shoes) are funny.
More than This: More than just romance and breakups in this one. You're praising those who go abroad and fight for their country and are urging the world not to forget their sacrifice. Ironically you're not supportive of the Iraq War, but that I knew already. The barking dog at the end is a nice coup-de-grace.
Overall, my lady, it's clear that your album showcases your talents, which for some reason are badly underestimated. Overall your songs are a collective tale of adventures, across the sea, up to the mountains, and into people's imaginations. It is because of this concept that you still have staying power. You also succeed because you do everything possible to keep it from becoming an artificial pop album, which is fine with me.
At the time of this album's release, a competitor (and friend, or maybe a rival) of yours, Sara Barellies, was releasing her own album, Little Voice. Her voice and style is vastly different from yours.
Nevertheless, IMO no female pianist today matches your charm, your sense of innocence, your sweet voice, and your elegant yet flamboyant style. Your piano career is guaranteed for many years to come and hopefully your next album will go platinum. You need a career boost so that your full talents are recognized by the public.
may your career start blooming again. And yes, you should get rid of Irv Gotti. You'll be better off for it.
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