Why did I review the album? Was
looking for a new artist
Did I like it? Yes
Will I listen again? Yes
Do I recommend? Yes
This album started a bit wobbly
for me, but by the end I was very happy I decided to take a chance on Sam
Smith. My favorite thing about him is his ability to transition from the higher
octaves to lower ones seamlessly without the song feeling disjointed.
For me, a first album is supposed
to show the person’s skill and leave the audience believing there is room for
growth in future work. This album did that for me. The writing for some of the
songs (especially in the beginning) need more work, but his voice is definitely
a solid one that I want to see evolve as his career progresses. I’ll definitely
be keeping an eye on his career.
My Favs
3. I’m Not the Only One
2. I’ve Told You Now
1. Lay Me Down
Overall Rating: 3 out of 5 Spins
Money on My Mind- This is an upbeat track that discusses his
reasons for getting into the music business. It’s not original and everyone
says the same thing, but if he honestly believes it, I won’t kill him for it.
Of the singles that play on the radio this is one of the better ones, but am I the
only one that hates when the money on my mind part of the chorus is played? It
sounds unnatural. 3/5
Good Thing- I couldn’t really get into this song because he claims
to much of a good thing is not good. Personally, I believe that’s not true. A
good thing is good because… well… it’s good. Too much of it may make you
appreciate it less, but that doesn’t stop it from being good.
He claims he should break off his
friendship with a woman because of the unnecessary worry and stress he would
cause her. They spend all their time together, but she doesn’t realize he wants
her. Eventually he stops trying. That doesn’t mean that she had too much of a
good thing. It means she didn’t appreciate it because she could have access to
it at any time.
Also, did anyone find the percussion
instruments unnecessary? They added excess parts to a song that was functioning
well on its own. 2/5
Stay With Me- I’ve said this before, but whenever an artist adds a choir
to a song, I automatically think of the song in religious terms. Even though he’s
trying to convince a woman to stay with him, I find that it can be related to a
relationship with God as well. 3.5/5
Leave Your Lover- As the song states he wants a woman to leave her
man for him instead. That could be an interesting premise if it was executed
properly. Essentially the reason he gives for keaving her man is that he’d be
sad without her. That’s unfortunate, but to me that’s not enough. As cliché as
it is, I’d rather he said that her man beats her and she deserves better. At
least I could get behind him and hope she leaves. But his explanation isn’t
strong enough (and if you ask me a bit stupid) so I didn’t care whether he persuaded
her. It sounds nice so I’d be lying if I said I hated the song. 3/5
I’m Not the Only One- His wife has cheated in him and this song
discusses the aftereffects. It’s funny because he goes through all four stages
of the process, denial, grief acceptance and result, but the listener doesn’t
hear each stage as it happens. We are told about the previous three and through
this song the audience can hear stage four as it is happening. It’s interesting,
pitiful and genius at the same time. 4/5
I’ve Told You Now- When his reaches the higher octaves he sounds
like Cee lo.
He likes a woman, but can’t find
the right words to tell her. I love how this song is able to transition. Some
of it is great production, but the other half is Sam Smith. Most of the song is
calm and well balanced, but at just the right moments there are explosions of
sound. This works for two reasons. It forces us to pay attention to what is
being said and it portrays Smith’s angst musically. Like JoJo’s Note to
God this song uses gradual escalation of tension that leads to a final
climax.
The other reason why this song
works is Smith. He’s able to transition from high pitched angst to soft and
relaxed at a moment’s notice without the feel of a harsh transition. Instead,
it moves from point to point smoothly when it honestly shouldn’t.
It’s ironic that only in the
midst of the highest amount of angst, when his thinking is the most frazzled, is
he able to find the words to tell her. 5/5
Like I Can- I don’t know why he hasn’t made this a single. It would
get a lot of radio play in the US. 3/5
Life Support- The idea of your spouse as a partner in life is not
new, but I’ve never heard it framed in this manner. 4/5
Not in That Way- I think I like this song more than I should. It’s
probably because I can relate to it. It also follows the simple formula I like,
one instrument and one voice. That format makes it easier to pay attention to
each aspect of the song. 4/5
Lay Me Down- This song is beautifully orchestrated. I starts off
with Smith and the piano working hand in hand. But, Smith steals the spotlight
and puts his voice on display. Because of the soft way he opened the song, this
part of the song displays his range. He takes risks by adding choirs and
micromanaging the song, but it definitely paid dividends. I’m not surprised
this one is the first single for the album. 5/5
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