Customer Reviews: Read 24 more reviews...
 Softly Out from the Soul July 21, 2004
Mercy Bell (Southeast Massachusetts, USA)
41 out of 43 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
Christopher Van Houten (Chicago)
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.
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.
 At Long Last... More Idina! May 14, 2004
Aaron Mullins (Middletown, DE United States)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I have been eagerly awaiting Idina Menzel's next CD since Still I Can't Be Still came out. Her clear, soulful voice makes me laugh and also has tugs at the heartstrings -- clearly this girl is a Broadway girl.The six songs featured on this EP offer just a taste of what Idina is capable of. I'm familiar with a couple of songs from live performances that Idina has done and am pleased to see they made the cut. There are only two factors that prevent me from rating this CD a full five stars. First and foremost, after all this time, I was hoping for a full-length album. So I'm a bit disappointed. Secondly, the songs don't have the same professional sheen that SICBS did. It's also clear that this is a happier, more settled Idina. There are no dark, scary songs like Larissa's Lagoon here. All in all, I'm thrilled to see another Idina CD for sale... but it makes me want more. Here's hoping she doesn't wait another five years to release an album! Aaron Mullins
Unbelievable voice, and she wrote all the songs to boot... April 2, 2004
TheDecn (Houston, TX)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I just returned from a trip to New York where I had the distinct pleasure of enjoying a performace of Wicked. I'd bought the soundtrack prior and listened many times in anticipation, but it didn't hit me until I saw the show live how absolutely amazing Idina's voice is. "Here" is further proof of her unbelievable talent. While her gigantic voice brought tears to my eyes during Wicked, this brilliant and all-to-short set of tunes proves she has an equally emotional softer side. I eagerly anticpate this wonderfully talented woman's next (and hopefully longer) release.
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