time off ciao needed for summer , maybe back later on..:)
time off ciao needed for summer , maybe back later on..:)
Member since:30.10.2003
Reviews:23
Members who trust:59
Dido’s latest album, “Life for Rent”, was released at the end of September, and it has quickly become that CD in my collection that gets played over and over again, relentlessly. I first heard of Dido because of the “Thank You” song, which catapulted her into the limelight a couple of years ago now; it was used on the Sliding Doors soundtrack and was sampled by Eminem for his single “Stan”. Her first album was released in the USA in 1999 but not in the UK until 2000.
“Life for Rent” is Dido’s second album, a long awaited follow up to No Angel, which achieved 12m sales. Dido says the album and song title – no 3 on the album – represents where she is today, and about taking chances and not letting life go by. The album has already received both admiration and criticism in the papers, but no doubt will go on to top the previous album sales, due to loyal Dido fans and new listeners.
I got to like “Thank You” most when it was the first track on an album entitled “Funky Divas”, which was a Xmas present a couple of years ago. This album itself contains about 40 tracks from female artists including Sophie Ellis Bextor, JLo, Anastacia, Christina Aguilera, and Britney Spears to name but a handful; and for a compilation album, I think it is great to listen to such a range of female artists.
My initial impressions when I first played the album “Life for Rent” was that it was quite sad and melancholy and somewhat different from the Thank You record, which I had always considered to be quite positive and up beat, motivational and happy even.
Maybe it was just my mood on the day I bought this album, but I actually felt quite sad after listening to it the first time; perhaps because I think it must be natural to take the words and the mood too much to heart - (especially because I'm missing someone terribly at the
moment..and we both loved this artist, and were looking forward to this album..). I still think it is quite sad, and there is a heavy theme of break ups, lost love and difficulties in relationships throughout the tracks, but I enjoy listening to almost all the tracks now.
I have listened to Thank You again a few times tonight, and I think what attracted me to this song initially was the catchy chorus : -
“I want to Thank You for giving me the Best Day of my Life, and Oh, I want to be with you for giving me the best day of my Life”.
I also really love the instrumentals in this track. However, I when I listen to the lyrics closer, the theme is very similar to the theme running through “Life for Rent” album, about a neediness for True Love.
The Tracks -------- The first track, White Flag (4.01) has also been released as a single; which is also part of my collection. The theme is a break up of a relationship, which may have been done in haste, and now the other party doesn’t want to know. The intro to this song and the album starts out with quite haunting instrumentals, before launching into the lyrics about still loving someone and not wanting to make their life harder yet not wanting to surrender that love. The instrumentals gradually increase in volume, beginning with the acoustic guitar and gradually increasing tempo with the keyboards and drums.
The next track is Stoned (5.55) and this follows in the one sided love theme, with the singer left out in the cold. I like the instrumentals for the same reason as White Flag, and I particularly enjoy the catchy chorus for this song:
“If you won’t let me fall for you then you won’t see the best that I would love to do for you instead you will be missing me when I go cos I’m bored of hanging out in your cold”.
I thought the piano instrumental that make up the last ten seconds of this song spoilt it slightly, but not enough to spoil my enjoyment of this track.
Life for Rent (3.41) is the third track on the album, and the one that grew on me most quickly. The theme is about someone who seems unable to commit to love or to other dilemmas in life, for fear of failing or getting hurt. This song starts out a little quieter than the first two, until we get to the chorus, which is quite haunting once again. With this particular track, I enjoy the verses, which seem to fit the music as well as any track on the album. I think the words to this song will appeal to anyone who is unsure where their life is going at present.
Track 4, Mary’s in India (3.41) starts out slow and quiet again. I love the words to this song throughout, although some may think that the words to the verses don’t quite fit as perfectly as they could. I think it is part of the attraction. The song tells of a guy who has been left alone when his partner leaves then doesn’t call as she said she would; but the twist is when the female who has been taking care of him ends up in a relationship instead. Simply a beautiful track.
“and we danced and we drank and I’ve seen some things you probably never got a chance to say don’t worry Mary, coz I’m taking care of Danny and he’s taking care of me”
Track Five - See you when you’re 40 (5.20) isn’t one of my favourite tracks on the album, although even it has grown on me over time. The drum instrumentals lead us into the lyrics that tell of a person who has realised that their lover isn’t the person they initially thought, and having realised this she can move on but tells him he will be lost and alone due to his misery.
Don’t Leave Home (3.46) has a catchier instrumental than the last track. The lyrics are about a couple who are in a relationship together and the ensuing neediness of having no-one else but one another in their lives.
“And if you’re cold I’ll keep you warm and if you’re low; just hold on cos I will be your safety Oh don’t leave home”
The words of this chorus, and the haunting way in which Dido sings it makes this one of the most moving on the whole album for me.
Track Seven - Who Makes You Feel (4.20) is another of my least favourite tracks on the album, but having said that, there are no bad tracks on this album. This one tells of a couple who may have got stuck in a rut, and are taking each other for granted. I do enjoy the chorus, which is probably something that most people enjoy from Dido tracks, however I find the pace of the records just a little too melancholy.
Sand in My Shoes (4.59) is the Eighth track and the tempo quickens again after the previous track. The lyrics tell of a holiday romance, and a possible regret about parting without trying to take the relationship any further. The words to this song fit tightly to the music in a kind of Kirsty MacColl “New England” style, and this track is another clear winner for me.
Track Nine - Do you have a little Time (3.55) tells of a lover who is feeling ignored by the pace of her busy partner’s lifestyle.
Almost at the end with Track Ten - This Land is Mine (3.46) I love the instrumentals at the start of this song, again continuing with the electronic guitar theme, and speeding up into the chorus. Understanding the meaning behind the lyrics was perhaps more difficult than the rest of the album, however my take on them is about a couple coming together but the singer not willing to relinquish control of her life totally. Its ultra catchy though.
Track Eleven - See the Sun (10.37 including bonus track) is about a friend helping another who has been mourning a broken relationship, and the fact its time to move on for ever and rebuild their life. Another haunting song dealing with the reality. Track 11 on the CD actually moves into a Track 12, which is not listed on the cover, and one you could miss as there are about two minutes silence before it starts up. “Closer you Get” is a fantastic full length track, eerily quiet, with fantastic lyrics, and I believe I have heard it before as an additional track on the CD single.
I am not disappointed with this album at all. Almost every track has great lyrics, which are thought provoking as they are sad at times. This album is definitely going to spark emotion in most people, but may be particularly poignant if you are going through any relationship difficulties. It will be criticised for being samy, and with a depressing theme, but I love listening to Dido’s haunting voice and the sound track is excellent too.
Info: www.dido.co.uk www.lifeforrent.com (But you need to buy the CD to access this site)
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Fab review Claire. This is the most played CD in my house since I was given it ages ago! You're not the first person I've heard liken her to Kirsty MacColl either! Great review. Well done. Cheers. Christina ;-) x
karen5416 24.04.2004 12:52
We play this all the time dido has an oustanding voice,.. a bit like my own LOL : ] x
Life for Rent was always going to be a tough prospect for Dido--how to follow up the ... more
multi-million selling No Angel? On initial inspection, it sounds like she's decided to stick to the safe option--if it ain't broke, don't fix it. So, it's business as ...
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Nov 4th, 2003
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