Harmonium - Vanessa Carlton > Reviews > Crackin' Carlton!

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	Carlton has clearly had more creative input on this record
Disadvantages:	That's not always a good thing, some songs are a bit samey

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Carlton has returned with her second album after a long break from the spotlight. The longevity of the recording process definitely shows on the record. It is clear to see that Carlton has matured immensely during her break and her songs now contain a great deal of hindsight, dealing with growing up, becoming a woman and gaining independence from her family.
The stand out tracks for me are definitely tracks 2,3 and 4.
'Who's To Say' has been on repeat for weeks. 'Annie' is the most heart-wrenching song, written for a young dying girl. 'San Francisco' is probably the most upbeat and catchy song. Along with the hit single White Houses and catchy 'Private Radio' it makes for a great album.
The less impressive tracks for me would be the the last 2, 'She Floats' and 'The Wreckage'. Much like her first album, 'Be Not Nobody', she seems to trail off at the end with a few more depressing songs which is a little disappointing.
Overall, this is a great album, Vanessa's piano skills shine through once again, reminding us that she really is a talented musician. The CD seems to have passed under the mainstream radar, at least in the uk, but it's definitely worth buying if you were a fan of her first album.