At first listen this seems like another "Tigerlily", which was pleasant but forgettable, because the songs are also slow and serious. But don't be fooled. Natalie Merchant continues to grow as a songwriter and performer, and this album is her best work in every way.

On the records she made with 10,000 Maniacs, there were always a few songs which were stunning in their emotional intensity and beauty ("Cotton Alley", "Gun Shy", "Verdi Cries", "Dust Bowl Days", "The Big Parade", "Jezebel", "How You've Grown", "Noah's Dove"). On "Ophelia", almost all the songs are this revelatory, and their collective range of feeling is most impressive, despite some reviewers' complaints about the absence of any uptempo hard-rocking songs.

The arrangements are colorful and complexly layered, and some of the songs are quite experimental and require a few listens to "get" (especially the title track), but they all work. The fifth star in the rating is essential, because "Ophelia" is not only a wonderful CD, it is so unlike any other one that those who don't have it will have a serious gap in their musical experience.

All the tracks are strong and interesting, but I would like to single out "My Skin" and "The Living". Merchant's uniquely lovely voice is almost unbelievably moving here; her very subtle inflections, powerful and intricate lyrics, emotionally precise delivery, and simple but remarkably beautiful piano playing put these tracks at an artistic level frequented only by Bob Dylan at his best.


Don't expect Tigerlily   January 10, 2000
Jackie (Indy)
22 out of 25 found this review helpful

Natalie Merchant's album "Ophelia" contains one hit song--"Kind and Generous." Of all of this cd's songs, that one is probably the only one that COULD be a single, because of its poppy tune and cutesy lyrics. So when you buy this cd, don't expect a bunch of songs like "Kind and Generous." Natalie really strays from her traditional Tigerlily tunes, experimenting with her sound, challenging herself. After the first listen, I wasn't that impressed with this CD, in fact I was downright disappointed. I wanted to hear the Natalie I'd known from 10000 Maniacs, from Tigerlily. But after listening again and again, it was clear that Natalie was trying new things here, and I praise her for it. Songs like "Break Your Heart" and "My Skin" steal you with their emotional intimacy, their sad melodies, and Natalie's intense voice. This one is for the real Natalie Merchant fan since you aren't going to find a lot of radio songs on this album.


One of my all-time favorite CDs!!   October 19, 2003
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

This is one of my all time favorite CDs. I got it at age 12 and now, at 17, it still takes a spin in my CD player quite often. I love all the songs, and they all hold such meaning for me. I love all of Natalie Merchant's work, but this is her best. She is an amazing musician, singer, and songwriter. Tori Amos (though I love her dearly!) shouldn't get all the credit for piano-playing! Natalie is INCREDIBLE too! I'll tell you a little bit about each song:

OPHELIA: This title track is brilliant and cryptic and very interesting. In the CD jacket Natalie portrays several of the characters mentioned in this song (such as a Carmelite nun, a circus performer, etc.).There are some people talking in foreign languages at the end, and I've never figured that out. If someone does, please tell me! This is a great song regardless, though.

LIFE IS SWEET: Natalie herself said that this is one of her favorite songs she's ever written. It's brilliant, uplifting, and inspirational. So much of the music out there these days is degrading and depressing. Way to go Natalie for upholding the true spirit of REAL music!

KIND AND GENEROUS: The biggest hit from this album, this is a sweet and simple tune. I've heard that it's dedicated to her fans; that she's thanking them for her success. If that's the case... You're welcome!!

FROZEN CHARLOTTE: Guaranteed to make me cry. Judging from the other customer reviews, this is a fan favorite. Some people went so far as to say that it was the best song of 1998! What UI love most about Natalie is that she can write strange, poetic, and cryptic lyrics that are nearly impossible to understand, and the meaning of the song truly comes out in the way she sings the words. "Frozen Charlotte" is a prime example of that. A standout track on an album of standout tracks.

MY SKIN: This (tied with "Thick as Thieves") is my favorite song on the album. Natalie is an amazing writer and pianist, and here her voice goes from teary and whispery to an angry shout, and the result is one of the most beautiful songs ever performed. Natalie also portrays the character in this song in the CD booklet.

BREAK YOUR HEART: This is more typical Lilith Fair-fare, and has never been one of my favorites on this album. It's not bad by any means- on another album it would be the best track! "Break your Heart" sort of reminds me of an energetic Sarah McLachlan.

KING OF MAY: This song is dedicated to the late Beat poet Allen Ginsberg, whom Natalie greatly admired. This is a very touching tribute that may well be a classic some day. Somehow, the first line "Farewell today" really gets to me. It brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it.

THICK AS THIEVES: The epic centerpiece of this album. It's about war, but which war I don't know. I'm guessing it's about the Crusades, but I'm not sure. If anyone knows, be sure to say! Confusion aside, this is a wonderful, and creepy, song. It, along with "My Skin" is the best song on the album. It's full of meaningful lyrics (which can be read aloud like a poem- it's reminiscent of T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land."), like "Know no future, damn the past, blind, warm, ecstatic, safe at last." If this doesn't send chills up your spine, you must not be human. She chants most of the song until the end, which is beyond-words-incredible. I could go on about this song forever. By "Ophelia" just because of "Thick as Thieves." Trust me on this one!

EFFIGY: A profoundly disturbing song, featuring a guest artist singing in Tibetan. Natalie repeats the lyrics over and over: "I'm an effigy, a parody, of who I appear to be/ put your flaming torches under me." Spooky, and very different from the other songs on this album.

THE LIVING: A very sad song about a man contemplating suicide ("And I don't stand a chance with the living."). It's also the shortest song on the album at 2:30. I love songs of this length- my favorite Tori Amos song, "Josephine" is also about two and half minutes. In short, "The Living" leaves you wanting more.

WHEN THEY RING THE GOLDEN BELLS: Judging from the rave reviews of her current CD, "The House Carpenter's Daughter," people think that covers are what Natalie does best. This is a cover of an 1880's hymn, and is very beautiful, and features a wonderful guest vocalist. The tone of this song is much more upbeat than the tone of the rest of the songs on this CD.

OPHELIA REPRISE: This ten-minute instrumental masterpiece is at once low key and spectacular, leaving you time to contemplate the eleven wonderful songs you just heard!

If you are a human being buy this album! It will enrich your life and change you for the better


Don't pay attention to the critics...   March 16, 1999
12 out of 13 found this review helpful

For anyone who is considering picking up Natalie Merchant's "Ophelia" but isn't sure, having heard one critic too many label her pretentious or gloomy, I just want to throw in my two bits and tell you to ignore them! This CD is wonderful, I picked it up last summer on a whim and still really enjoy it. I didn't have "Tigerlily," her first solo release, and ended up buying them in reverse order so that I could have more of Natalie's music! I don't think it's fair to say one is better than the other, they are both good CDs, different and yet quite similar... I think on "Ophelia" she is branching out a bit more and trying some new things, and good for her! "Frozen Charlotte" stands out as my favorite song, among other great tracks like "Break Your Heart," "The Living," and "When They Ring the Golden Bells." "Life Is Sweet" is also wonderful and really lifts my mood each time I hear it. I am so tired of my friends saying, "Natalie Merchant, well, she's okay but I just don't like her personality. She is SOOO serious, she needs to lighten up." Actually, anyone who has seen an interview with Ms. Merchant should be able to see how BENEVOLENT, QUIRKY, and BEAUTIFUL she is!! She makes music because she enjoys it, and she IS an artist. I am going to see her in concert next month, and I am so excited! I can't wait to see her dance around on stage like the previous reviewer mentioned, hehe.


I love this CD!!!   June 17, 1998
12 out of 13 found this review helpful

I really love Natalie Merchant's "Ophelia." Rarely do you find a CD where you like all of the songs. I like almost every song on the CD. My favorites are "Life is Sweet," "Kind and Generous," "My Skin," "Break Your Heart," "King of May," "Thick as Thieves," and "When They Ring The Golden Bells." Others, like "Frozen Charlotte," and "The Living," are perfectly fine and charming, they just don't stand out as the others do.

I must say that I loved this CD so much (I recieved it as a gift) that it persuaded me to go and buy "Tigerlily," which I also enjoyed. I feel in "Tigerlily," Natalie was quite redundant in her songs and melodies, and she has come a long way since then. "Ophelia" is much more sorrowful and moving. My only criticism is her lyrics are extremely hard to understand, which takes away from her wonderful instrumenal pieces.

"My Skin" makes me want to cry when listen to it. It has cellos and pianos which are beautiful backgrounds to her crooning voice. And the few songs that pick up the beat, "Life is Sweet," "Break Your Heart," and "When They Ring The Golden Bells," make you sit back in relax. They have a beautiful, sweet melody.

In short, I recommend this CD. You have to be in the mood for slow, meaningful songs. You don't exactly get up and dance to her music. But I love it. And "Tigerlily,' is also a good buy. It's less mature, but it still has some good songs, like "Carnival," "Wonder," and "Jealousy." I'm so glad I discovered Natalie Merchant, because her CDs have rarely left my CD player. Take my advice and buy them. You won't be sorry.