Former childhood classical star Charlotte Church is back on the musical scene and seems to have gone all Alternative/indie on us. Taken from her September due EP One, the song How Not To Be Surprised When You're a Ghost finds the Welsh singer taking a confident stride in this new musical direction.
Admittedly, I wouldn't have recognised How Not To Be Surprised When You're a Ghost as Charlotte Church if I hadn't been watching the (slightly creepy) video while listening. It's just so different from anything I've ever heard from her. Luckily, it's "different" in a great way.
With its quirky melodic notes of Kate Bush, building production reminiscent of the excellent Wild Beasts, and an interesting lyrical take on death, Charlotte Church has certainly managed to craft quite the tune for herself here. It's just a shame not many people will hear it- you just need to look at its Youtube views (11,134 at the time of post).
How Not To Be Surprised When You're a Ghost marks an interesting turn in the ever changing sound of Charlotte Church's career, and I 'll definitely be picking up One (released on the 3rd of September) to see what other treats it may contain.
Rating: A-
Now THAT's something that get's my vote!
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed very reminisced of Kate but in every good way.
Makes me think maybe if Charlotte is looking for a song to cover she should check out Kate's catalog. Judging by this she might be one of the few to actually be able to pull off such a cover quite well.
In fact, kinda really like to hear that. :)
Thanks for drawing attention to this one DD and excellent review.
What a voice! She's amazing. Just after listening the piece you recommended I've switched to "Rise". Her voice is even bigger in this one. But we all agree she comes close to Kate Bush' style in "How Not To Be Surprised..." In "Rise" she wanders into Bjork's teritory for a change. I'm just wondering where Charlotte Church's personal style is.
ReplyDeleteAnyway I'm surprised hearing sound of distorted electric guitar on this site ;-)
Except of course Charlotte can actually sing and has a pleasant voice...uhm how is that Bjork Territory again? ;D
ReplyDeleteDamn T., that reference almost prevented me from checking out The Rise but thankfully not quite. Also a good track :D
Her voice sounds a bit wobbly and not clean in a few moments but I prefer live version to studio track nevertheless. I must say I like such slight flaws because I find it more human. Perfection sometimes turns into a lack of life.
ReplyDeleteAs for Bjork, she screams, shouts and squeals hysterically at times however she's got her unique way of singing and interpretation. Charlotte is definitely better vocally. No doubt. But I repeat quite persistently one more time: I can hear elements of Bjork's style in "Rise" - particularly in melodic line and the way Charlotte reaches crescendo at the end of the song. Since I'm not musicologist I can't name properly similarities in terms used by music theory. Shame on me!
Why didn't I study music???
Oh yeah! I've never had a talent. F..k!
LOL I hear you T. I have no knowledge of the proper terms either but wish I had studied music.
ReplyDeleteAs it stands i mostly know what I like and what I don't like. Live tapings always have my preference over studio ( provided the singer is up to it.) and Bjork is on my "hate with a vengeance" voices list. If not on number 1 than pretty close to it.
But I am not arguing your comparison of the style. I hear what you mean but just as you say...Charlotte is a better vocalist AND to me has a pleasing voice where as Bjork's voice in itself is already of a tone I can't stand.
Side noye DD, speaking of Kate Bush, I just noticed the video attached to her vocal profile has been removed from youtube
ReplyDeleteI can't be bothered answering all the points addressed here - I've gotten so lazy with posting lately, I really need to get back into it! haha - but yeah. This girl has a beautiful voice. Bjorks I don't find pleasing at all. It terrifies me haha. Imagine waking up in a dark forest or something with Bjork's screechy or whispering singing all around you. No. Thank. You.
ReplyDeleteHahaha I'd call that waking up into a nightmare alright. ;)
ReplyDelete"surprised", eh? Well stick around, there may be more to come....lol
ReplyDeleteI really hope people catch on to this new sound, it deserves further exploration on a full album!
ReplyDeleteARGH... stupid Youtube. I'll see what I can do ( I'm guessing pretty little...lol)
ReplyDeleteLOL Well, since people who heard it , heard it and those who didn't wouldn't know the difference, you could just add one of her songs no? Or how about this one....?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oxvi4mWC0YE
Not about the notes but it is about her art/career
Did you hear the other song she did at the Frozen Yoghurt place? I presume it is also from the upcoming album
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGLIk4BPPWc
I have always loved our Charl, even in her classical days. Her voice is so sweet and pure, very clean. Really loving her recent work though, I like how she is creating a classy niche sound for herself, although her work has always been pretty well produced and classy sounding (to me anyway).
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qwRsz7zM0c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pn3R8xa-v4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6IIgDrVT9w
Thanks for the links Stuey.
ReplyDeleteThat last one was particularly interesting since I already thought she sounds a bit like my favorite when singing pop songs. A "breathy" style. But I thought that was just my heart over riding reality. But hearing she went to Nashville...I am really curious if she is indeed somewhat influenced by AK?
Not loving the video, which looks a bit like Doctor Who in places, but I really like the song. I doubt it will be a commercial hit, but it's got a lot of class, and I like the ethereal lyrics.
ReplyDeleteAnd a live (fantastic) version peoples :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2LndlfzNtk&feature=related
It's possible. I just love her voice, she truly is not only naturally gifted but taught really well at that!
ReplyDeleteSo true, the video is by far one of the most random I have witnessed in a wee while lol good to see you back too!
ReplyDeleteLOL Posted that one already Stuey as well as the second song she did at that gig ( bottom of this thread)
ReplyDeleteHaha I just noticed that and was about to edit with another vid lol Never mind, this one will do!! hehe
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSTCvNSIjUg
Yes, unlike the "classical training" some diva's supposedly got, I believe she WAS classically trained? She intended to go into Opera did she not?
ReplyDeleteIt sure will! :)
ReplyDeleteThough... out of season as it may be, this is the most impressive one I have found the last 48 hours...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gemjzIzsek&feature=my_liked_videos&list=LLRKzx08-FwuStc8KR-pPfDg
Yeh, she was classically trained very early, she got her first break performing live on TV at age 11 and went onto full scholarship, but then she got older and a bit more rebellious and deviated from the full on classical career and went more commercial pop. Although she said in an interview with Jonathan Ross that she still busts out the occasional aria at home lol. But for a lot of her career (4 albums out of 6) she was a classical singer with the odd full on opera aria thrown in for good measure. I would love to hear her do some more opera/classical now though as her voice seems to have matured beautifully.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I remember well when she burst unto the scene. Normally I had these child wonders but she was something transcendend.
ReplyDeleteWell being a massive addict of her simply beautiful and incredible voice I decided to pay the little extra for the physical copy of the EP from rough trade, pretty good deal and worth it too. Freaking amazing songs! I cannot get over how much I love it!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.roughtrade.com/site/shop_detail.lasso?search_type=sku&sku=354575