The Bottom Line: Dido is adequate but emotionally stunted Never quite gets to the heart of things. This album fails to be great despite the fact she has a decent voice.
Dido has finally arrived on the scene thanks to a clever sample from Eminem and mass exposure to his single "Stan". Right now I can't think of any other singer who has been made a star by being sampled but this seems to be the case. So the big question is "Would she have been a star without his assistance?" Honestly, I don't think so. Her music doesn't really stand out, her voice is void of emotion and her style is kind of bland. Her sound is kind of like what Sarah Mclachlan would be on autopilot.
Her music has that whimsical quality without the whimsy.
The first track on the album begins this descent into the beautiful empty on "Here With Me" Starting out with a promising techno alternative vibe, a folk friendly voice and some easy to relate to lyrics. Sounding unbelievably like this little known group called Formica Blues, she has this solemn sound that is nothing special but contrasts interestingly with the landscape of music painted for her. Not a bad start!
"Hunter" never quite captures its prey with its lifeless and sterile sound. Dido sounds no different on this song. No vocal variety whatsoever. She doesn't grab at your heart and this song just leaves you feeling absolutely nothing. Kind of like a one night stand where you don't even get a goodbye kiss. I honestly feel she also owes a lot (with the little style she does demonstrate) to Lisa Loeb and her unique phrasing and vocal styling.
"Don't Think Of Me" is a little better because of a smart vocal arrangement but still doesn't do much for me. Its nice for background music but only actively listening to write this review do I actually notice any detail. "My Lover's Gone" attempts kind of a surreal trance sound but honestly there is a song by Sarah Mclachlan that sounds kind of like this that is so aching and sweet that this just fails to do anything for me.
The next song is pretty nice though. "All You Want" is appealing with its slow guitar groove and string arrangement. Her voice has some personality and she seems to feel this song. Her voice has some charming qualities and they are showcased here in this charming alternative ballad. In fact this is one of the tracks that saved this album from pawn shop h*ll.
"ThankYou" is avery interesting song that finally defines Dido as a singer with its eclectic lyrics, dark style and interesting percussion sounds. The chorus bursts in like a bright sunny day when the clouds have been hanging over. The pan flute touch is inspired and the whole song is brilliance. I do have to wonder why Eminem chose this song to sample. I just can't see him sitting with Dre in the studio spinning this CD and deciding this song is the essence of his future Grammy nominated single. Then again, I think Eminem is a lot more intelligent and intellectual than people want to believe.
"Honestly Ok" is a interesting little piece of work with its fascinating soundscape and array of techno trimmings. The percussion is non conventional and the instruments chosen make a nice statement. I like this song with its plain spoken words set to a techno vibe.
Just when I started thinking this album was going to turn out o.k. Dido returns to the land of bland with "Slide". My attention begins to tune out into oblivion again and only the power of spreading the word at Epinion brings me back to task. If I started exploring the intricate network of my soul or something then that would be ok but when I start thinking about bills and Tuna Helper I feel the music isn't accomplishing what I want.
"Isobel" is yet another boring an emotional bland piece of work. The lyrics are rather interesting but the melody and style are so characteristic of Sarah Mclachlan, yet delivered so void of emotion that I am left feeling cheated that Mclachlan didn't record it.
The album picks up a little with "I'm No Angel" This song is kind of interesting and keeps me engaged with its interesting arrangement and hip hop element blended with techno. She actually seems to have slipped into the Delores Rierdan class of singing and I have to admit I like the change. I'd rather listen to the real thing but this works.
"My Life" is a nice slow number that dangerously teeters into the jazz area and I have to admit I like it. A nice slow percussion with very light instrumentation supply a nic
ambiance and dark mood. "Take My Hand" is also not too bad but again sounds like an emotionally void Mclachlan with its acoustic ballad style and interesting melody. A nice interlude occurs during the end of the song and really pleases the ear with its layered sound and percussive brilliance. Dido sounds good but it just doesn't hit that tender spot like Mclachlan does with her aching and vulnerable voice.
Overall, Dido is not a bad album. Yet, its not very good either. Dido has an adequate voice, decent production, creative ideas but none of it is glued together with emotion. I honestly can't recommend it because its just not that good compared to such musical geniuses like Tori Amos, Sarah Mclachlan. I recieved Haunted by Poe on the same day and the album is leagues above this one.
Dido was five when she stole her first recorder. This didn t lead to prison but rather to her entrance one year later into the Guildhall School of Mus...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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