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Audio CD
Publisher: Elektra / Wea
| Customer Reviews: |
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| Undisco me! |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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This was/is an interesting album -- after a tortuous production and re-engineering process involving (BT) Brian Transeau, this 13-track collection finally slipped out some five years after Billie Ray Martin had made her seminal album Electribal Memories with Electribe 101 (which - incidentally - still sounds as fresh as it did 17 years ago. Yes, 17 years!)
The hallmarks of over-attention are there, and it seems as though Transeau wanted to satisfy original fans' hunger for more of the same cool electronica, while showcasing BRM's twangy, country music leanings in a way that wouldn't alienate those same fans.
What you get is undoubtedly very glossy - I'd be amazed if BT hadn't been listening to Annie Lennox's irresistibly overproduced Stay By Me when he was putting together the title track, which similarly chucks everything in but the kitchen sink; lots of melodramatic little flourishes, as befitting a big old torch song. The infectiously hooky Running Around Town features the "bouncing beat" prevalent in a lot of house music at the time, but has worn quite well. His approach works best when dreamy synths run along a parallel thread to Billie Ray's soaring vocals, as on Still Waters. Space Oasis is the nearest to an Electribe re-tread (although it's very like BT's mid-90s work, too), and I Don't Believe, with it's gospel choir and country-fied arrangement hints at the sustained greatness of BRM's superior 2001 classic, 18 Carat Garbage.
In contrast to that album, the production of Deadline sounds very much of its moment - what pulls it out of that, 12 years on, is the pure quality of the songwriting and Valkyrie-like power of the singing. And BT cleverly adds lots of cunning little fade-ins and out to make the incongruity of some of the songs a lot less jarring - it's still a bit too full-on for, say, dinner-party music but great for blasting out on a rainy Sunday!
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| She is a legend in her own right and daYam can she write a song!! |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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German electronica soul diva from Hamburg releases her first solo effort in 1995, which includes her worldwide hit 'Your Loving Arms'. Most debut albums released on a major label are those who are chosen, molded, and packaged to fit a certain image and something very formulatic. THis is not the case with Deadline of my Memories.
Billie wrote/co-wrote/or was involved heavily with each and every track. Her style is raw, creative, and edgy, and not to mention she has that unmistakable voice that is reminiscent of 60s soul Aretha Franklin. There are a few ballads on here which display her range, but then her more upbeat dance tracks really hit the spot for me.
Greatest tracks are:
Hands Up and Amen
Still Waters
Space Oasis
Imitation of Life
We Shall be True
Your Loving Arms
Give this a chance, as well as her more recent albums 18 Carat Garbage, and her new 2003 Demos album ([...]).....she's awesome and deserves more recognition.
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| Class in a world where there is little |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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The CD sums up the word CLASS! If you are looking for a club mix...move on! If you want bubble gum pop...keep looking. The rich vocals of Billie are decadent! The melodies and harmonies in each of the songs takes you to another place in time and allows you to breathe the air of a different society during the time you are experiencing the songs! Big Tears and Make-Up is one of my favorite tracks, along with Still Waters. Though both songs are on a slower tempo, the mood they set is classic and unmistakably deep! Imitation of Life and Hands Up give you a chance to let your hair down and feel the music chours through your body! I can't listen to either song, whether at my desk at work, in my car or making dinner in my home...I HAVE to dance! We Shall Be True...the lyrics to this song is just an anthem to me! Positive focus on life and learning to appreciate what you are blessed with. For those listeners that are looking for a slightly spirital uplifting sound, with a perfect blend of dance, jazz, blues and groove, without a preaching tone...THIS is the CD for you! If you are searching for a Brittney Spears, Technotronic or Love Hits of the 80's...this album has too much depth for you and will end up under your couch! Billie Ray is INCREDIBLE! What a gem!
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| Phenomenal! |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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Billy Ray Martin is very underated and underappreciated in the U.S. Her voice is soulful. The album has several club favorites from the past, Your loving arms & Running around town. The whole album is phenominal!! A must have!!
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| Breathtaking,amazing, esoteric- |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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This album blows me away-granted it's not for everyone. Her voice is truly one of a kind, for me, in a good way. If you're expecting a "pop" album, that's what you'll get but in an unconventional sense. Lyrically poetic, musically challenging, an eclectic fusion of jazz, blues, pop, and techno, these songs resonate with wisdom, insight, and utter feeling which is not present in so much of today's music. This is obviously an artist of great integrity and talent, whether that can be appreciated ultimately is up to the listener. One review reads "sappy"-which couldn't be more off base-this album is truly anything but-sappy is an InSync/Brittany Spears ballad-which couldn't be more far removed from what I'm sure is this artist's intent-true expression. Having said this-this album has some great dance numbers to boot. Deadline For My Memories sent literal chills down my spine upon hearing for the first time-it's such a powerful song. Get this album!
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Hands Up And Amen
Running Around Town
Still Waters
Deadline For My Memories
Imitation Of Life
I Try
True Moments Of My World
We Shall Be True
I Don't Believe
Space Oasis
You And I (Keep Holding On)
Your Loving Arms
Big Tears And Make-Up
Stand By Me
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