The first thing that hits you about this world-wide super-star is her melodic voice over the beautiful sound of the soothing piano. Even if you don't like her music, she still has an absolutely beautiful breath-taking voice and this album sold millions with the help of a fellow rap super-star.
It's 2000, Dido is struggling to get her debut album off the ground. In the post is a package. In the package is a tape and a letter, the letter says "Sorry but I used I bit of your song, hope you don't mind!" The tape is the basis of what the song Stan by Eminem would become.
Stan has the chorus of Dido's Thank You and made Dido what she is today. She said "Eminem sent me this tape where he put his lyrics to my song and I was blown away" No wonder, both versions are brilliant in a totally different league. Dido can write good pop songs and can pull them off brilliantly, with her sad and depressing songs (
My Life and
Thank You ) Ok, so none of the songs are happy and cheerful but are brilliant composed and you could picture her playing the songs in a club.
The three singles off the album are brilliantly picked as they are the best songs on the album. The depressing "I need you!" love ballad
Here With Me , the up-tempo, the bit cheesy
Hunter and the "My life sucks" famous song
Thank You .
They are other good songs on the album including the beautiful 2:46 ballad
My Life , the song is beautifully expressed and is shown as background music for some commercials. The song is about controlling your own life and not letting other people get in the way.
Simple message not filled with deep metaphors or fancy words. Straight to the point lyrics which is a lot more emotional than most rock bands could come up with. In the lyric booklet, underneath that song's lyrics is a picture of her as a little girl which speaks to me.
Another deep down emotional song is the heart-felt love song
My Lovers Gone . Most of the song is a slow synth with her vocals singing on top of that. It is the most beautifulest love song I have ever heard.
When Dido started sing "Bring him home again" I started crying, her voice is so melodic and beautiful, I couldn't help it. The most "up-tempo" song on the album I would say would be
Don't think of Me which is a stab at her ex-boyfriend. It is a good song but not the best on the album.
But the album is not perfect. Not much though, just a few gripes. The lyrical theme for the whole album is mostly Dido getting back at her ex which is no problem, I'd just like to of had seen some variety. Some songs sound the same on the album but is mostly the ballads. Dido's voice IS beautiful and emotional but there is no variety in her vocal range.
It's in no way a big deal but since I'm reviewing it, I'm trying to be honest as I can and that what it sounds like. Dido is no way a sell-out, she doesn't care for money, she doesn't appear on Saturday Morning Kids programs. She just wants to make music to show her feelings and her pain with love. Her talents show that not everyone in the 21st century is some wash-up loser who just hit it lucky because they were in the right place at the right time.
Verdict:
No matter what music you are into, you will fall in love with this album. It will sway you emotionally and it will lay you down gently. It will make you cry, it will make you happy. You will think differently about love and your ex's. You will love start to finish. You have to own this album. I'm not sucking up or being bias, it is a brilliant album.
4.5/5
