Stolen Car: Great Song, Forgettable Single
Written: Jan 25 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Stolen Car is incredible as a song...
Cons: Out of print, expensive, and two bad versions...
The Bottom Line: Beth Orton is a special, strange singer-songwriter. Central Reservation is her best album to date and Stolen Car is one of her best songs. Too bad about this single...
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| lambchops's Full Review: Stolen Car #2 [single] - Beth Orton Movies |
Beth Orton hit her stride with 1999’s Central Reservation. The perfect blend of excellent songwriting, performance, and production it made a fan out of me. In fact, to date that collection of songs is the most perfect from the unique English singer-songwriter.
While her music isn’t probably appealing to all ears, her work on Central Reservation was particularly incredible. Emotionally moving, intelligent and distinctively organic Orton’s music is hard to ignore. Central Reservation was her second album. Previous to that, she gave the world the unpolished Trailer Park. And most recently, Orton disappointed with 2002’s Daybreaker.
One of the most notable songs of Central Reservation was the album opener Stolen Car. In contrast to Orton’s work on Trailer Park, this song (and most of the others) possesses a keen timelessness. Therefore it comes as little shock that the second single of Stolen Car is a fine enough effort. It’s not perfect and shouldn’t be specifically sought out but considering the focus of the disc is this song it has some major value.
In addition to the radio edit of Stolen Car, this single also contains a remixed version of another personal favorite Stars All Seem To Weep and a live version of the Best Bit EP song Touch me With Your Love. And as much as I do like Stolen Car I can’t help but be mildly disappointed by the two “bonus” songs. The originals are excellent, but these are not.
But before I speak about the bad things, I want to give a little extra love to Stolen Car. It really, truly is a beautiful song that seamlessly blends trip-hop with modern acoustic blue-eyed soul. Gently sweeping with a distinctive melody, Orton’s strange flat and nasally vocals and perfect lyrics the song is one of the reasons you should already own Central Reservation. But keeping that in mind, it is not enough to make me love every moment of this single.
You walked into my house last night
I couldn't help but notice
A light that was long gone still burning strong
You were sitting
Your fingers like fuses
Your eyes were cinnamon
Unplugged, hollow, and haunting the Shed Version of Stars All Seem To Weep is fine enough. I really love the original track, but there seems to be something really lacking from this one. Orton seems bored and distracted—and the song suffers as a result.
Touch Me With Your Love suffers much the same fate. Orton is talented—that much is clear. But I just don’t feel this live performance. It is dry and uninteresting. So, basically, unless you’re a major fan of Beth Orton and as such are a completist than I highly suggest you not seek out this oft-overpriced single. I personally am fortunate to have stumbled upon it for $2.99 at a used store. Otherwise, I’d have never bought it.
In any case, this Stolen Car single #2 isn’t noteworthy aside from the excellent title track. Be a pal—if you want to check out Orton than get Central Reservation.
Rating: 2/5 stars
Track Listing:
01. Stolen Car [radio edit]
02. Stars All Seem To Weep [Shed Version]
03. Touch Me With Your Love [Live at Maxwell’s]
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Related Reviews:
Trailer Park
http://www.epinions.com/content_90297634436
Central Reservation
http://www.epinions.com/content_78238813828
Daybreaker
http://www.epinions.com/content_112394276484
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
lambchops
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 in Music |
 - Top 50 |
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Member: Shelly T.
Location: Metro Detroit, Michigan
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