Not about much - lack of time rather than interest ... *We are expecting our 2nd child end of June 0...
Not about much - lack of time rather than interest ... *We are expecting our 2nd child end of June 07*
Member since:11.02.2003
Reviews:98
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I confess. I am a sucker for MTV and it's other imitators, I can spend hours on end, if allowed in front of the box switching between two different music channels. I love nothing more than watching music video and letting my imagination drift off ... This was how I first heard of Amy Studt, when she released her first single Just A Little Girl.
Amy Jane Studt was born in London 22 March 1986, her dad is a musician (classical) in his own right and she has always enjoyed writing her own material since she was 9, accumulating 42 of her own songs by the time she was just 14! She grew up in Bournemouth, attended a Catholic school but rebelled heavily against it and as a result strarted a boarding school at 13. She found she didn't fit in there, and encountered bullying - which led to depression and ME which took a year to get over . She returned from boarding school and settled into another school. Amy is a self taught pianist and can also play guitar.
She got her "big break" when, her dad suggested she record some of the tracks she had penned, and put them to CD (her dad, already spending a lot of time inside a recording studio). Having done this, she circulated them round her friends for some feedback. Miraculously, somehow a copy managed to find it's way into Simon Fuller's possession (Spice Girls/S Club 7 bigwig). He immediately rang Amy up and the rest is history... She has been hailed as the UK's Avril Lavigne, but I think a fairer comparison
would be Tori Amos and sometimes Alanis Morrisette. Amy herself says she had no ambition to be famous, she only wanted to write songs because it makes her happy.
Recently, after hearing her latest offering Misfit I decided to give her debut album False Smiles a listen. Pushing any pre-conceived ideas of "teen-scene" music to one side I was pleasantly surprised. It's one of those CD's that doesn't click until a few listens, then you just can't get it out of your system! Some of the songs have been co written by the likes of Gary Barlow, Cathy Dennis, Karen Poole (of Alisha's Attic). Here is my track by track review of False Smiles (released 30 June 2003)
just a little girl
Most of you will be familiar with this track, which was Amy's first official release. It starts off very slowly and quietly and opens out into a catchy protest of how she want's to be taken seriously as her own person, and not just a young person. Throughout the song, it switches from the quiet easy paced melody to the harder rocky lyric and back again. I give this 3/5
misfit
The current hit from Amy, sees her proclaiming her individuality and not following the herd. She says this was written about her experience of being bullied for not fitting in. It could also be a bit of a stab at the world of celebrity, which she says she doesn't feel comfortable with. The song itself is punchy pop with some comical lyrics in places. I give this 4/5
under the thumb
This song start off lazily slow, building into a stormer of a track. This sounds very influenced by her co-writer Karen Poole (Alisha's Attic). It's very different. It tells the story of a troubled relationship. I give this 4/5
if only
Again, very inspired by it's co-writer Karen Poole. Probably the weakest song on the album. The lyrics are more whispered than sang, a filler track I think .... I give this 1/5
beautiful lie
This is one of the best tracks on the album and could easily be the next single. It shows Amy's voice at it's best - strong and versatile. She shows on this track that she doesn't have to sound like she's screaming to show off her powerful voice. I give this 4/5
ladder in my tights
This is by far the best track and will probably be used as a single at some point. It's in the same vein as misfit - although not a clone of it! Again, it's about standing out as your own person. This song will have you grinning with the irony of it. One thing we could do without though is the bad language throughout. I give this 5/5
carry me
I thought this could be a Madonna ballad at the very start. Fortunately, it picks up pace a little and flows dreamily over my head. It's okay, but it doesn't represent the overall feel of the rest of the album. I give this 3/5
happy now
This starts like an old black and white film score and leads up to another ballad which sounds strangely like Geri Halliwell! It's a bit depressing and could be part of a musical maybe... I give this 2/5
gonna be fine
This is a favourite. It starts subtley with a gentle vocal accompanied by piano which builds into a harmonious and strangely uplifting track. Quite beautiful if not simple. I give this 5/5
superior mind
Starts off with spoken rather than sung lyrics and turns into a catchy and interestingly sung track. The chorus is very Tori Amos, which can't be bad! The chorus is great, but it's a bit weak in between. I give this 4/5
going out of my mind
Chronicles a troubled relationship, very simple but beautiful vocal. Basically about lack of communication and all the worry it can bring. I give this 4/5
testify
The best track on the whole album in my opinion. Testify, gives Amy's powerful voice full range. A real catchy track with a sometimes country feel to it. This is the track Gary Barlow collaborated on. I give this 5/5
seconds away
Co-written by Cathy Dennis (do you remember her, "touch me & waterloo sunset"?) anyway, probably more well known for the Kylie track she wrote,this one isn't bad at all, but it isn't catchy enough for me. I give it 3/5
nobody
About the inner feelings you have, even though you are smiling - you can still feel wretched inside. It's nicely sang, but hasn't got that special ingredient to it that makes you play it again straight away. I give this 2/5
I think overall that this is an excellent debut album - especially from someone who is still only 17. Let's hope she will still be allowed to write her own material for future albums and that the control isn't taken away in favour of a more manufactured approach. Thanks for reading.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
The timing of Amy Studt's debut album,False Smiles, couldn't be better. Building on a ... more
solid foundation established by the likes of Natalie Imbruglia and Lene Marlin in the late 1990s and carried forward by Gemma Hayes and a glut of young, brokenhearted...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Loads of really good songs. A great CD with lots of variety of songs Disadvantages: The album first released doesn't includ the 'all i wanna do song'. Make sure you get the second version
tiffany12 17.10.2004 (17.10.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of False Smiles - Amy Studt
Advantages: Loads of really good songs. A great CD with lots of variety of songs Disadvantages: The album first released doesn't includ the 'all i wanna do song'. Make sure you get the second version
tiffany12 17.10.2004 (17.10.2004)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of False Smiles - Amy Studt
Advantages: Exceptional, unique and memorable. Amy writes all her own songs and plays her own instruments. Disadvantages: The lyrics are a bit self-pitying and pessimistic at times (but this didn't bother me!)
Jul 23rd, 2003
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