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| Here | 
 enlarge | Artist: Idina Menzel
Label: Zel Records
Category: Music
This item is no longer available
Avg. Customer Rating:  29 reviews
Sales Rank: 118261
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
UPC: 829757604022
EAN: 0829757604022
ASIN: B0001LAR0G
Release Date: February 10, 2004
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| Tracks:
| • | Here | | • | You'd Be Surprised | | • | If I Told You | | • | Penny | | • | Once Upon A Time | | • | So Beautiful |
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| Customer Reviews: Read 24 more reviews...
 Softly Out from the Soul July 21, 2004
40 out of 42 found this review helpful
"Here" is a lovely album. Consisting all of 6 songs, it's easy on the ears and heartfelt, and it kind of melted into my playlist. Ms. Menzel has a brilliantly powerful voice. "Here", though, showcases her softer side, and I think really showcases her adept ability at telling stories and transporting you somewhere through her voice and song. She's a true vocal artist. Fans have always known she is a master at conveying the essence of the song, but she usually is handed power ballads or rock, but she's equally masterful with the soft stuff.
I became a fan of hers after seeing her in "Wicked", and was completely swept away by her voice and magnificent performance (and to other "Wicked" fans, this CD is a lot like the song "I'm Not That Girl" in song type, tone, and style). I bought the album because a lot of people were recommending it for the content of the album and not just to merely "hear Idina sing" (though, of course, the content of the album does include her vocal prowess). That said, I was really, really surprised by the music. It's excellent. These are easy on the ears, mellow, soft, entirely melodic ballads which feel like she poured her heart out into them. It's unique and feels very personal, which I was taken aback by since I'm not really used to such a level of honesty from a lot of mainstream pop/rock/R&B artists, or at least their honesty is tempered by clich?d or safe lyrics. That's why the real revelation in this are the lyrics. She's got a knack for writing good songs, because in addition to the melody line, these lyrics really force you to listen: they're down to earth, gently self deprecating, almost disarmingly real, and all with a real warmth and glow to them.
Everything about this album is heartfelt and delightful, that about sums it all up. Unfortunately for us she's only made one other album, ("Still I Can't Be Still" which is very different from "Here"), and her concerts and appearances with songs of her own composition are few and far between. I really hope Ms. Menzel gives us another album soon because she's a genuine musical talent with the chops to make it big in the mainstream.
 She can do so much better. August 12, 2004
24 out of 26 found this review helpful
Don't get me wrong- I'm a HUGE Idina fan. She's been one of my faves ever since she first released Still I Can't Be Still in 1998. This album has been a long time coming, and I've loved hearing her perform her new material live at small venues in New York. But I have to say, this CD was disappointing. I felt the six she chose were far too similar in quality- quiet, heartfelt, mellow selections from her WIDE repertoire of songs written since her debut album. The songs are all very nice, but she is capable of so much more- steamy blues, dangerously emotional pieces, humorous lyrics, upbeat songs- and none of that is really showcased here. If the mellow songs on this CD had been interspersed with songs like "Jealous", "It Only Hurts When I Breathe", and "Winter," it would be a wonderful collection that really showcased her talents. Either she's capitalizing on her success in Wicked by trying to appeal to that same audience with these adult contemporary ballads, or she's simply matured beyond youthful, energetic outbursts of love, anger, frustration, self-doubt, and hope that this fan misses on this album.
If you're already an Idina fan, Here is worth the $12. If you're unfamiliar with her, I recommend first tracking down a copy of Still I Can't Be Still or, better yet, her live performances at Joe's Pub and other locales.
I love it! December 6, 2004
11 out of 16 found this review helpful
Idina Menzel shows off her soulfully melodic voice and writing talents on this amazing piece of work. While I like "Still I Can't Be Still," I think Idina defintely has the voice of a B-way artist, and this CD is has a Broadway feel. If you enjoy listening to Idina in "Rent," "The Wild Party," and "Wicked," you'll love this CD!
Another masterpiece May 21, 2004
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
Idina Menzel's new release proves to have a new, more uplifting tone than her debut, "Still I can't be Still." However fans of her original work will find this piece pleasing. Idina has a new, brighter sound and a more simple band behind her, that basically consists of acoustic basses and guitars along with the piano, and ocassinally some simple percussion. Once again, uses beautiful lyrics, drawn from life experience and real situations in her songs. The melodies are soothing, and show a soft side of Idina's voice. Her voice complements the music beautifully, and we see that she is capable of more than just belting. One thing that makes this cd so touching is Idina's ability to portray emotion in her voice. While listening to songs like "Here" and "If I told You" one couldn't help but feel a bit lifted. Fans of the self-deprecating lyrics showcased her debut album will be able to find the same attitude in "Penny." And while Idina has a new unique sound on this album, it seems more accessible to the mainstream, and one is guarunteed to find something on the album that will make it worth buying.
Idina ROXS! September 16, 2004
8 out of 26 found this review helpful
I don't see how anybody could give Idina less than 5 stars on this album! It is sooooooooooooooooooooo AMAZING! She is so talented that it isnt funny!
I bought this CD after seeing Idina in WICKED! I waz blown away by her voice that I had to get her CD! NO ONE can sing better than Idina!
And anyone who calls themselves an Idina fan and doesn't like this album is just plain CRAZY!
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