Martina Topley-Bird

and worth the price (even though it's under 40 minutes) for Danger Mouse's production - he seems to excel in albums under 40 minutes and this one is no exception. The first track catches you and goes on - you keep wanting more (and quite possibly will hit 'repeat' after it finishes off). I got this one the same day as the new Tricky album and felt a little guilty (and worried for Tricky) about liking this one so much more. Fortunately, Tricky's new album is really diverse while this one is just a really good album with a million and one sonic easter eggs that show up after repeated listenings...

The ONLY caveat is that it's short and, if you pay more than $20 for it, you could feel a little cheated. Try to find it under $20 and you won't feel shortchanged.

UK songstress Martina Topley Bird is better known as the voice on loads of songs on UK Trip Hop artist Tricky's debut "Maxinquaye". Her 2003 solo debut "Quixotic" earned her a Mercury music prize nomination.

She returns on her sophomore disc with wunderkind Dangermouse twiddling the production knobs, and the result is dreamy psychedelic Pop/Soul, with live-sounding percussion and a dense sound.

Her light airy vocals (she reminds me of Skye of Morcheeba) fleet playfully on opening cut, the dreamy lightly throbbing "Phoenix" (which references the album title). "Carnies" is upbeat Pop (with haunting harmonies), while the creepy but upbeat "April grove" sounds like the soundtrack to some sinister movie.

In fact, there is a dark, creepy vibe throughout the album, even on its more upbeat moments. Continuing along those lines is the swirling "Something to say" (with a Dub/Folk feel). "Baby blue" is a twinkly bouncy catchy number, while "Shangri la" is a sultry ballad with chopping guitars and a Blues-ey vibe.

Every song is a standout really, from "Snowman" (a charming midtempo guitar driven song), the psychedelic ballad "Da da da da", the swinging "Valentine", the swirling ballad "Poison" (with disembodied sounding vocals), the bouncy ethereal semi instrumental "Razor tongue" (comprising just la la la aah vocals), and the distorted mind bending sounding closing cut "Yesterday" (with a light Dub feel).

Edgy and experimental, an excellent CD. If you like Tricky, Gorillaz, Portishead, or even Goldfrapp's latest CDs, this might just be up your alley.

The Blue God both builds on and departs from Martina's debut Quixotic. It builds on her first release because again you'll find Martina's beautiful, haunting melodies. It departs from her first album in the sense that the production seems more dense than her debut. The production by Danger Mouse sometimes seems to put Martina's vocals in the midst of, or even behind, the dense sonic layers that he creates. During those moments Martina's strongest asset, her exquisite vulnerable voice, retreats to the background of the song. But this is my only (and very minor) grievance: the overwhelming majority songs on the Blue God are strong and showcase Martina's unique vocals. The album is worth the price for "Valentine" alone (check it on YouTube). In sum, a very underrated album with many great songs. Note to Independiente: pls do a limited release on vinyl.

Martina Topley Bird does not fit into one category of music. Broadly speaking she is "Eclectic Electronica", but fans of Jazz, Soul, Alternative and Hip Hop would all be advised to check this very strong album, and her first "Quixotic" too.
She has a clear yet soulful subtle voice, with good phrasing and a dreamy tinge to it.
The beats are catchy, varied and original.
I heavily recommend that, if you are at all interested in top class and vibrant music, you buy this album.

Perfectly crafted pop with soul, jazz and lounge woven throughout and production assistance from Danger Mouse. This amazing record should permanently break her out of the shadow of former collaborator Tricky.

The majority of these breezy trip-hop tracks from the former Tricky singer are put together sufficiently, although lack true vision to stand out from the pack. Topley-Bird's breathy vocals remain, but her debut plays out more like a project with her name on it rather then an artistic statement, displaying thoughtful but derivative production and songwriting work.

This record is worth it for two tracks alone, the tracks Sandpaper Kisses and Lyla. I believe these are the best performances vocally that i've ever heard from Martina and maybe the best soft soul i've ever heard from any female singer. If you like soul or lounge music this is one of the best records out there.

Martina Topley-Bird, of Maxinquaye fame, has really shown in this album that she is an excellent artist even without Tricky. If you are a fan of Tricky you will probably enjoy hearing her voice again, but this album is not really all that similiar to Tricky's work. It is alot more soulful and less electronic than Tricky, and has a very raw feel to it.
For those of you who don't know, this is the original UK release, which has the original production as well as 3 tracks which are not included in the American release "Anything". I have not heard Anything all the way through, but it seems like this is indeed a better album. If you can't grab this album Anything is okay, but I suggest Quixotic over it.

If you absolutely cannot find Quixotic (it's available here on Amazon as an import; even if it's pricier you'll be glad you paid the extra)then you should buy Anything, it's better than nothing. (No pun intended).

But really, just buy Quixotic. It has three songs that Anything doesn't, among which are the haunting, beautiful "Stevie's (Days of a Gun" which took a while to grow on me but really layer vocals, strings, and remixing in an amazing, unprecented way. And it has "Lying" which is also vocally haunting and one of the more lyrically interesting songs on the album. It also has "I Wanna Be There" which isn't as enjoyable in my opinion but it definitely shows off one of Martina's greatest strengths: her ability to pair trip-hop, rock, soul, and something else entirely, and end up with something much much greater than the sum of its parts.

Also, for reasons that make no sense to me, the Anything version of "Soul Food" is different and inferior to the Quixotic version - the vocals are re-recorded and flatter, and other stuff is missing. (I don't have both albums with me to compare, but I remember being struck by how some of what makes Soul Food so wonderful was somehow gone on the Anything version.)

So yeah, just buy Quixotic already.

Of course, most albums have what makes both so amazing. This music is beautiful, complex, eerie in parts, rich, melodic. It's also incredibly complex musically, and it's one of those albums that is challenging and has something to teach musicians and music afficionados, while still being utterly accessible and fun to listen to.

Some songs (Soul Food, Lullaby, Anything for example) are perfect for a romantic evening; Ilya's music makes me think of a good song to play at a hipster art gallery opening, and its lyrics are good for the bitter aftermath of a failed relationship ("Thought i was in love/tell me was i wrong/You know we were wrong together"). The string section of Ilya alone almost makes the whole damn album worth it: I want someone to write an entire string piece based on those few seconds.

Her lyrics might be said to be the one weakness; it's not that they are bad or awkward in any way. In fact, there are plenty of gems:
"Seven states away they're doin', doin'
the Strange Fruit swing
when they come down
you have to leave town" ("Too Tough to Die")
or
"I went down to the house in your girlfriend's clothes
They fit me better than I would have supposed"
(Lying)

It's just that for someone who so beautifully does things never before achieved in music, I would have thought her lyrics would do the same; instead they can be somewhat .... conventional.
("I don't want anything but you/I don't need anything but you" from "Anything"; plus "Soul Food"'s lyrics are relatively tame for such a seductive, marvelous song.) It's a minor quibble, really, in an overall wonderful album.

So yes, buy this; if you're me, it'll actually take you a minute to warm to it (I didn't like it at first, to be honest, but then i couldn't find most of my CDs and so had to listen to this one; I was hooked.) Others will immediately love it.

My Discman has already given it one of the Top 5 Most played CDs of 2004, and it'll be a top contender for that prize in 2005 too.

Plus, being a Martina Topley-Bird fan will impress all your music snob friends. Admit it, that's a pull. But you get the greatest benefit: This kick-ass album.

One of the recent great albums to have escaped many people's radars "Quixotic" is a trppy and spacey ride musicwise and vocalwise. Martina Topley Bird has put her signature voice on many of the early triphop era albums (those of Tricky), and even though many people will recognise the voice instantly they'll have difficulty placing it somewhere.

The album starts off with one of the most uplifting rock songs i've heard recently and that itself is a surprise start for her repertoire. This is then followed by more expected electronica tunes, smooth silk cuts adorned by Topley's soothing voice, and even a couple of gorgeous soul songs (that would put most of modern soul "divas" to utter shame).

I can safely say here that this is one the most diverse albums i've heard in the past 2-3 years. Topley sounds like she's showing off her stunning vocal talent but the thing is she sounds so convincing in each and every song she delivers that you know she's feeling each single note she sings.

Obviously this LP has gone unheralded and undiscovered which is a real shame then when other way less talented vocalists are busking in undeserved fame. Topley is a massively gifted singer with a very characteristic voice, one you immediately fall for upon the very first listen.

In a time where female vocals seem to be very trendy it's prudent to discover the real gems out there and spare yourself the garbage promoted by the hype machine.

As a closing note, don't go for the US version of this album which comes with 3 songs less and there's absolutely no reason to:
a. get mysteriously ripped off like that
b. miss out on any song of this album as they are all more than worthy...

I picked up this disc after hearing "Sandpaper Kisses" used as part of the soundtrack to a video game I was playing, believe it or not. After patiently completing the game ("Indigo Prophecy") and lingering to see the credits, I purchased this album from amazon, and was not disappointed.

A mixture of trance, soul/R&B, rock and folk stylings, this album is such a relaxing, cool and mesmerizing experience, held together by Martina's breathless, almost childlike vocals and layers of music and effects pushing you into an altered state of mind. Great stuff, no matter what kind of music you like!

Great mix of styles. Soul Food is FANTASTIC! This CD is worth it just for that track alone. Now I wish I would have gotten the UK version though.

The only three stars here are for what Anything deserves *relative to Quixotic*. Once you listen to both, you'll see what I mean. Quixotic deserves an unequivocal 5, and I suppose if Anything were the only version of this album and I weren't comparing it to its far superior sister, I'd give it a 4.5. But anyway, you can see Quixotic is far superior.

Okay, if you absolutely cannot find Quixotic (it's available here on Amazon as an import; even if it's pricier you'll be glad you paid the extra)then you should buy Anything, it's better than nothing. (No pun intended).

But really, just buy Quixotic. It has three songs that Anything doesn't, among which are the haunting, beautiful "Stevie's (Days of a Gun" which took a while to grow on me but really layer vocals, strings, and remixing in an amazing, unprecented way. And it has "Lying" which is also vocally haunting and one of the more lyrically interesting songs on the album. It also has "I Wanna Be There" which isn't as enjoyable in my opinion but it definitely shows off one of Martina's greatest strengths: her ability to pair trip-hop, rock, soul, and something else entirely, and end up with something much much greater than the sum of its parts.

Also, for reasons that make no sense to me, the Anything version of "Soul Food" is different and inferior to the Quixotic version - the vocals are re-recorded and flatter, and other stuff is missing. (I don't have both albums with me to compare, but I remember being struck by how some of what makes Soul Food so wonderful was somehow gone on the Anything version.)

So yeah, just buy Quixotic already.

Of course, most albums have what makes both so amazing. This music is beautiful, complex, eerie in parts, rich, melodic. It's also incredibly complex musically, and it's one of those albums that is challenging and has something to teach musicians and music afficionados, while still being utterly accessible and fun to listen to.

Some songs (Soul Food, Lullaby, Anything for example) are perfect for a romantic evening; Ilya's music makes me think of a good song to play at a hipster art gallery opening, and its lyrics are good for the bitter aftermath of a failed relationship ("Thought i was in love/tell me was i wrong/You know we were wrong together"). The string section of Ilya alone almost makes the whole damn album worth it: I want someone to write an entire string piece based on those few seconds.

Her lyrics might be said to be the one weakness; it's not that they are bad or awkward in any way. In fact, there are plenty of gems:
"Seven states away they're doin', doin'
the Strange Fruit swing
when they come down
you have to leave town" ("Too Tough to Die")
or
"I went down to the house in your girlfriend's clothes
They fit me better than I would have supposed"
(Lying)

It's just that for someone who so beautifully does things never before achieved in music, I would have thought her lyrics would do the same; instead they can be somewhat .... conventional.
("I don't want anything but you/I don't need anything but you" from "Anything"; plus "Soul Food"'s lyrics are relatively tame for such a seductive, marvelous song.) It's a minor quibble, really, in an overall wonderful album.

So yes, buy this; if you're me, it'll actually take you a minute to warm to it (I didn't like it at first, to be honest, but then i couldn't find most of my CDs and so had to listen to this one; I was hooked.) Others will immediately love it.

My Discman has already given it one of the Top 5 Most played CDs of 2004, and it'll be a top contender for that prize in 2005 too.

Plus, being a Martina Topley-Bird fan will impress all your music snob friends. Admit it, that's a pull. But you get the greatest benefit: This kick-ass album.

(Note: I haven't heard the original British release of this album called QUIXOTIC which sounds like the real one to get, but I'll go ahead and review this American version since it's all I've heard)

Not as deeply "trip-hop" as I would've wanted or was led to believe by music publications like Blender (always, always take a critic's opinion with a grain of salt), this album is none-the-less deeply soulful and a highly enjoyable and diverse set of songs. Martina stretches out and sings more than I've ever heard her sing before. She hits some really high notes and takes her voice in surprisingly different directions. There's not a bad apple in the bunch.

"Anything" - instantly grabs you with its beautiful subtlty and sensuousness. Martina's voice, gorgeously double-tracked here, is naked and honest.

"Ragga" - prime Martina/Tricky track. A hungry, addictive melting pot of playfulness and lust.

"Need One" - Anthem rock meets electonic sensibilities and a swaggering beat. Somehow, she pulls it off brilliantly. Mark Lanegan and Josh Homme guest star. Only grudge: I keep searching for my cell phone whenever I hear the beeping at the end of the song.

"Soul Food" - The title says it all. This should please nearly any Motown or Stax record fan. "I'm gonna let you/ Take all the time you need." Baby!

"Ilya" - the second and last collaboration with Tricky on the album. Excellent - one of the most hypnotic tracks with enough trippy touches to keep you mesmerized over and over.

"I Still Feel" - electronic pop of the first order. "I still feel high/ And so low."

"Sandpaper Kisses" - totally lush and watery. Probably the most sensuous track even though it's about a girl getting stepped on emotionally.

"Too Tough To Die" - Electronic Blues shuffle. Oh yes! So good.

"Lullaby" - a strange piano, sweetly strummed guitar, then the brief sound of a rocking chair rocking set this gentle, melancholy tune in motion. A stunningly beautiful vocal with a ghostly fade out, this may be the best cut on the album.

"Outro" - According to the liner notes, Martina recorded this one at her home. Sounds sorta like a doo-wop blues/jazz number from the '30s. But it's all Martina.

Despite the disappointment some have expressed about the condition of this re-release, I completely love ANYTHING. It currently holds the top spot in my CD collection for chill out/sexy/romantic/get yer groove on album of the year.

I bought this album based on a recommendation in EW mag and also because I decided to expand my horizons and to my surprise it was well worth it. This album is worth the money. I will definitely purchase the UK version.

The majority of these breezy trip-hop tracks from the former Tricky singer are put together sufficiently, although lack true vision to stand out from the pack. Topley-Bird's breathy vocals remain, but her debut plays out more like a project with her name on it rather then an artistic statement, displaying thoughtful but derivative production and songwriting work.

This record is worth it for two tracks alone, the tracks Sandpaper Kisses and Lyla. I believe these are the best performances vocally that i've ever heard from Martina and maybe the best soft soul i've ever heard from any female singer. If you like soul or lounge music this is one of the best records out there.

Martina Topley-Bird, of Maxinquaye fame, has really shown in this album that she is an excellent artist even without Tricky. If you are a fan of Tricky you will probably enjoy hearing her voice again, but this album is not really all that similiar to Tricky's work. It is alot more soulful and less electronic than Tricky, and has a very raw feel to it.
For those of you who don't know, this is the original UK release, which has the original production as well as 3 tracks which are not included in the American release "Anything". I have not heard Anything all the way through, but it seems like this is indeed a better album. If you can't grab this album Anything is okay, but I suggest Quixotic over it.

If you absolutely cannot find Quixotic (it's available here on Amazon as an import; even if it's pricier you'll be glad you paid the extra)then you should buy Anything, it's better than nothing. (No pun intended).

But really, just buy Quixotic. It has three songs that Anything doesn't, among which are the haunting, beautiful "Stevie's (Days of a Gun" which took a while to grow on me but really layer vocals, strings, and remixing in an amazing, unprecented way. And it has "Lying" which is also vocally haunting and one of the more lyrically interesting songs on the album. It also has "I Wanna Be There" which isn't as enjoyable in my opinion but it definitely shows off one of Martina's greatest strengths: her ability to pair trip-hop, rock, soul, and something else entirely, and end up with something much much greater than the sum of its parts.

Also, for reasons that make no sense to me, the Anything version of "Soul Food" is different and inferior to the Quixotic version - the vocals are re-recorded and flatter, and other stuff is missing. (I don't have both albums with me to compare, but I remember being struck by how some of what makes Soul Food so wonderful was somehow gone on the Anything version.)

So yeah, just buy Quixotic already.

Of course, most albums have what makes both so amazing. This music is beautiful, complex, eerie in parts, rich, melodic. It's also incredibly complex musically, and it's one of those albums that is challenging and has something to teach musicians and music afficionados, while still being utterly accessible and fun to listen to.

Some songs (Soul Food, Lullaby, Anything for example) are perfect for a romantic evening; Ilya's music makes me think of a good song to play at a hipster art gallery opening, and its lyrics are good for the bitter aftermath of a failed relationship ("Thought i was in love/tell me was i wrong/You know we were wrong together"). The string section of Ilya alone almost makes the whole damn album worth it: I want someone to write an entire string piece based on those few seconds.

Her lyrics might be said to be the one weakness; it's not that they are bad or awkward in any way. In fact, there are plenty of gems:
"Seven states away they're doin', doin'
the Strange Fruit swing
when they come down
you have to leave town" ("Too Tough to Die")
or
"I went down to the house in your girlfriend's clothes
They fit me better than I would have supposed"
(Lying)

It's just that for someone who so beautifully does things never before achieved in music, I would have thought her lyrics would do the same; instead they can be somewhat .... conventional.
("I don't want anything but you/I don't need anything but you" from "Anything"; plus "Soul Food"'s lyrics are relatively tame for such a seductive, marvelous song.) It's a minor quibble, really, in an overall wonderful album.

So yes, buy this; if you're me, it'll actually take you a minute to warm to it (I didn't like it at first, to be honest, but then i couldn't find most of my CDs and so had to listen to this one; I was hooked.) Others will immediately love it.

My Discman has already given it one of the Top 5 Most played CDs of 2004, and it'll be a top contender for that prize in 2005 too.

Plus, being a Martina Topley-Bird fan will impress all your music snob friends. Admit it, that's a pull. But you get the greatest benefit: This kick-ass album.

One of the recent great albums to have escaped many people's radars "Quixotic" is a trppy and spacey ride musicwise and vocalwise. Martina Topley Bird has put her signature voice on many of the early triphop era albums (those of Tricky), and even though many people will recognise the voice instantly they'll have difficulty placing it somewhere.

The album starts off with one of the most uplifting rock songs i've heard recently and that itself is a surprise start for her repertoire. This is then followed by more expected electronica tunes, smooth silk cuts adorned by Topley's soothing voice, and even a couple of gorgeous soul songs (that would put most of modern soul "divas" to utter shame).

I can safely say here that this is one the most diverse albums i've heard in the past 2-3 years. Topley sounds like she's showing off her stunning vocal talent but the thing is she sounds so convincing in each and every song she delivers that you know she's feeling each single note she sings.

Obviously this LP has gone unheralded and undiscovered which is a real shame then when other way less talented vocalists are busking in undeserved fame. Topley is a massively gifted singer with a very characteristic voice, one you immediately fall for upon the very first listen.

In a time where female vocals seem to be very trendy it's prudent to discover the real gems out there and spare yourself the garbage promoted by the hype machine.

As a closing note, don't go for the US version of this album which comes with 3 songs less and there's absolutely no reason to:
a. get mysteriously ripped off like that
b. miss out on any song of this album as they are all more than worthy...