OPHELIA - 9921

$4.04

Amazon.com Miss Natalie needs to lighten up. Ophelia's a pretty heavy record, in terms of both the thick, string-heavy production and in terms of her protracted, pretentious songs. Merchant has a beautiful voice but she bogs it down with weighty themes that walk around in flashy clothes without going anywhere. She's even got, gulp, Tibetan lyric translations on "Effigy." It's telling that the best track here is the simplest--a lovely reading of an 1887 parlour hymn, "When They Ring The Golden Bells." Its genteel acoustic backdrop perfectly sets off Merchant's voice--and its the only time she sings with a passion that doesn't feel pretended. Guests include Daniel Lanois and The Innocence Mission. --Michael Ruby Product Description After a brilliant career with 10,000 Maniacs, Natalie Merchant made a dramatic statement of independence with her triple platinum 1995 solo debut, Tigerlily. In contrast to Tigerlily's stark simplicity, Ophelia features lush arrangements and a rich instrumental backing for Natalie's radiant lilt. The songs are Natalie's most personal to date, venturing into surprising new territory that exposes a sultry, soulful edge. Review ... Ophelia devotes itself to one quality above all else: the unstructured luxury of Merhcant's sound...[A] deliberate, depressed aural landscape--underlaid with acute singer/songwriter rhythms.... -- Rolling Stone At a time when many pop stars seem unnervingly normal or bland, she remains a genuine oddball, determinedly idiosyncratic.... At its most elegantly dour, which is about half the record, Ophelia conjures images of stately mansion living rooms with their curtains drawn, its forlorn narrators sobbing on couches. -- Entertainment Weekly Though she can be matronly, pretentious and strident ... [Natalie] Merchant keeps those tendencies in check on most of Ophelia's ambitious tunes. Pianos, strings and Daniel Lanois' haunting guitar distortions (especially effective in the lulling "Frozen Charlotte") bolster catchy melodies without cluttering them.... Despite the window dressing, it's the bold simplicity and undiluted melancholy that distinguish standouts like "Life Is Sweet," "Break Your Heart"and the cello-kissed "My Skin." -- USA Today
ASIN: B000006OAM
VSKU: 4EKGRJ005XXY_ns
Condition: Good
Note on Condition

Most of the items in our store are used. The item's condition grade is indicated near the bottom of the product description. If you have any questions regarding specific details of an item, please contact us. We use the following rating scale:

Books:

  • Used - Very Good: Item may have minor cosmetic defects (marks, wears, cuts, bends, crushes) on the cover, spine, pages or dust cover. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may contain remainder marks on outside edges, which should be noted in listing comments. Item may be missing bundled media. 
  • Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. Gently used ex-library books with library stickers and markings may be classified as good. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media. 
  • Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.

CDs/DVDs/Discs:

  • Used - Good: Case may be damaged or come repackaged. Disc may have up to 1.5cm marking but is in great working condition. 
  • Used - Acceptable: A product with extensive external signs of wear, but is in great working condition. The case may be damaged. The cover art, liner, notes, or other inclusion may be marked, or one or all of these items may be missing.
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