The Spirit Room [Enhanced]

Amazon.com
"So I'm a little left of center, I'm a little out of tune," sings Michelle Branch on her debut album's "You Get Me." Well, maybe. Branch offers a well-produced pastiche of chiming and strumming guitars, hip-hop-lite beats, quiet-verse-to-louder-chorus templates, and positive thinking. At her best--"If She Only Knew," a propulsive love note to an ex--she rivals the likes of Sixpence None the Richer as likable radio-aimed fare. Catchy and self-expressive while breaking absolutely no ground, Branch also echoes everyone from label-mate Alanis Morissette to the solo Belinda Carlisle. She dies just a little in this crazy mixed-up world, escapes to her secret garden for sunshine in the pouring rain, and ultimately finds her reflection getting clearer. The Spirit Room could be the next bit of pop philosophy to dazzle mainstream audiences. --Rickey Wright

The Spirit Room,Michelle Branch,Maverick,Alternative Pop/Rock,Pop,Popular Music,Rock,Rock/Pop,Singer/Songwriter

The Spirit Room [Enhanced]

Average customer rating:

very impressive
This album is a breath of fresh air. No really, it is!
" If you want to, I can save you..." - Michelle Branch ROCKS
Beautiful tunes and lyrics
Michelle Branch rocks!

The Spirit Room
Michelle Branch
Manufacturer: Maverick
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00005M987
Release Date: 2001-08-14

Tracks:

Everywhere
You Get Me
All You Wanted
You Set Me Free
Something To Sleep To
Here With Me
Sweet Misery
If Only She Knew
I'd Rather Be In Love
Goodbye to You
Drop In The Ocean

Amazon.com

"So I'm a little left of center, I'm a little out of tune," sings Michelle Branch on her debut album's "You Get Me." Well, maybe. Branch offers a well-produced pastiche of chiming and strumming guitars, hip-hop-lite beats, quiet-verse-to-louder-chorus templates, and positive thinking. At her best--"If She Only Knew," a propulsive love note to an ex--she rivals the likes of Sixpence None the Richer as likable radio-aimed fare. Catchy and self-expressive while breaking absolutely no ground, Branch also echoes everyone from label-mate Alanis Morissette to the solo Belinda Carlisle. She dies just a little in this crazy mixed-up world, escapes to her secret garden for sunshine in the pouring rain, and ultimately finds her reflection getting clearer. The Spirit Room could be the next bit of pop philosophy to dazzle mainstream audiences. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

very impressive.......2007-06-22

I don't know how old Michelle Branch was when she recoded this CD, but I am sure she's old enough to be my daughter that I would have had in my 20's. Her lyrics are ingsightful without alienating audience in her age group but retain a certain sophistication beyond her years. Imagine she wrote most the songs, co-wrote some, played the guitar and the base, and what a crystalline voice, the kind that is timeless and can transcend her listeners. It is nice to know that The Woman Song Writing tradition started by Joni Mitchel, Joan Armatrading and such will be continued, for this reason, I think Michelle Branch will be around for a while.

This album is a breath of fresh air. No really, it is!.......2007-06-12

It's pop, that isn't OVERLY poppy. Somewhat like Vanessa Carlton. I appreciate Michelle's lyrics because they are just so true sometimes. She's a bit angsty, she's left wondering and she longs for love...in mildly interesting ways and it shows. It's just really nice to be able to truly relate to someone in the music industry. I mean it happens, but not as often as we like sometimes.

And don't get me started on John Shanks. This guy is a musical genius. He works with Michelle Branch on production and helps write five of the eleven songs on this nice full length debut. He is also responsible for the catchiness of Ashlee Simpson songs, which most of them I love.

Best songs:
All You Wanted
Goodbye To You
Drop In The Ocean (this song is amazing)

Honorable Mention:
Something To Sleep To

If you don't own any CDs by this talented singer/songwriter/guitarist/etc, etc. It would be wise to start at the beginning with The Spirit Room.

The only thing that bothered me a bit was the song titles: Maybe I'm in the minority, but some of them were just too predictable, leaving some of the songs to lack a bit of depth. I believe Michelle was rather young when she wrote some of these songs though...

Anyway, 4 stars!

P.S. My favorite line is in the song Goodbye To You. It's capitalized:

"I've been searchin' deep down in my soul/Words that I'm hearing are starting to get old/Feels like I'm starting all over again/THE LAST 3 YEARS WERE JUST PRETEND...

" If you want to, I can save you..." - Michelle Branch ROCKS .......2007-05-20

Ok now I've been a Huge fan of Michelle Branch, I mean after all those fake stars that producers put up, Michelle is refreshing! IT's also funny since my name's Michelle too! I can play almost all her songs on the guitar, and her voice is great! I wish I can sing like her but I can't (sigh). Well anyway, I'll just rate the songs...

1. Everywhere- 10/10 This song's one of my favorites! It has a nice upbeat tune to it, and the lyrics are catchy. A great way to start a career.
2. You get me- 10/10 Another Great song! I like the lyrics "So I'm a little left of center, I'm a little out of tune". It's great for any teen who feels ordinary.
3. All you wanted-10/10 Such a good song! I can feel it's about her trying to save a boy from the popular crowd. Here everything fits.. the lyrics, music, everything.
4.You set me free- 9/10- Everything's good in this song, just not upbeat enough for me, but it's also great!
5.Something to sleep to- 8/10 As the song says.. it's good to listen to if you want a soothing sensation before sleeping!
6.Here with me-9/10 Not the best, but still has everything nice and flowing. I like it.
7.Sweet Misery- 9/10 It's catchy, and the musics good, but I like All you wanted and Everywhere better.
8.If she only knew- 10/10 This is another favorite! It's fun, and I'm sure anyone would love Michelle after hearing this song.
9. I'd rather be in love- 9/10 This song shows Michelle wise beyond 18. The lyrics fit the mood and music of the song.
10.Goodbye to you- 10/10 A song about moving on with your life. This fits all the feeling you're supposed to fell after a break-up. Another fave.
11.Drop in the Ocean- 8/10 A bit too mellow for me, but it's perfect to end the album.

Beautiful tunes and lyrics.......2007-01-08

I am not a professional reviewer, so I will keep the simple. This album is absolutely beautiful. It has soft gentle spirituality to the music and the lyrics. I love it and believe Michelle Branch is underestimated as a song writer and an artist. I hope she never stops writing and playing music, she has a wonderful future!

Michelle Branch rocks!.......2006-12-26

I got this yesterday for Christmas after hearing the song, " You Set Me Free" used on the Ice Princess Soundtrack, and i love it! Well, most of it. Here's my review of The Spirit Room.

1. Everywhere- 9/10- A fun and upbeat song. Pretty good, love the intro to it.

2. You Get Me- 5/10- It's pretty, but just too slow to me. Maybe it'll grow on me eventually.

3. All You Wanted- 10/10- The BEST on the album. Love it! Was this a single? If not, it definalty should have been.

4. You Set Me Free- 10/10- Like i already wrote, I got this CD after hearing this song on Ice Princess. Really good and fun to sing to.

5. Something to Sleep To- 7/10- OK. You should listen to it if you want to go to sleep. I still think it's OK.

6. Here With Me- 9/10- Love the beginning and the chorus. It seems like a really good song for a party.

7. Sweet Misery- 6/10- OK also. I just don't really like how the chorus is and it's too short.

8. If Only She Knew- 10/10- Fun and cool. One of my favorites.

9. I'd Rather Be in Love- 7/10- Sounds alot like Sweet Misery.

10. Goodbye to You- 8/10- This is a really pretty song about moving on in life.

11. Drop in the OCean- I don't really get this song. I'm not going to rate it.

Overall, this CD gets an A. It's pretty good. I think you should buy it.

Average customer rating:

This is a must

Spirit Room
Michelle Branch
Manufacturer: Maverick
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00006FMHR
Release Date: 2002-09-19

Tracks:

Everywhere
You Get Me
All You Wanted
You Set Me Free
Something to Sleep To
Here with Me
Sweet Misery
If Only She Knew
I'd Rather Be in Love
Goodbye to You
Drop in the Ocean
All You Wanted [Unplugged Version]

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring a Bonus Track: "All You Wanted". Also Includes Enhanced Multimedia Material.

Customer Reviews:

This is a must.......2003-03-24

This is a wonderful album, all of these songs are written from the heart. This includes all 3 of her hits, "Everywhere," "Goodbye to You," and "All You Wanted!" My favorite song is "Goodbye to You" because it really touches you, I have loved it since I bought it the first day it came out. I'll never forget Michelle Branch because she has changed my life with her songs. Especially since I turn to music a lot when there's a problem and I need some tune out time.

The Art of Robert Bloom, Bach Aria Group, Volume 1 Selected Arias with Obe Obbligato

Average customer rating:

The Art of Robert Bloom, Bach Aria Group, Volume 1 Selected Arias with Obe Obbligato

Manufacturer: Boston Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00004XR7J
Release Date: 2001-01-01

Average customer rating:

Spirit Room
New music that sounds new!
This is a "best of" CD - and a nice one
Is Jai's music considered a narcotic?
Spirit Room

Spirit Room
Jai Uttal
Manufacturer: Triloka Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

India | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00004TQSA
Release Date: 2000-06-20

Tracks:

Be With You
Guru Bramha
Lake Of Exploits
Corner
Gopala
Footprints
I Won't Ask For More
Hara Shiva Shankara
Malkouns (Night On The Ganges)
Govinda
Petition To Ram
Raghupati

Amazon.com

Jai Uttal has been heralded as a master in the realms of World and New Age music. Uttal's latest offering, Spirit Room, is a fitting tribute to his 10-year recording history with Triloka records. Moving gracefully through traditional Indian sitars, tablas, African rhythms, and modern jazz innovations, Uttal shape-shifts each musical moment into well-crafted songs. His clear, contralto vocals touch deep emotional chords, sparking an awakening of something new and promising, yet warmly familiar. The opening track, "Be with You," is an impassioned work of love and devotion, parting the way into "Guru Brahma," heady, smooth, and seductive. On "Corner," Uttal explores the shadow realm through somber acoustic guitar and sitar. The rest of Spirit Room rounds out with groove-heavy cuts such as "Footprints" and "Malkouns (Night on the Ganges)." While Uttal's talents as a composer, arranger, vocalist, and producer are all noteworthy, it is the basic simplicity of his songwriting that is his most enduring trademark. Spirit Room is a musical sanctuary, where everything comes together in perfect balance. --Leslie Marini

Customer Reviews:

Spirit Room.......2003-10-07

I met Jai Uttal and Geoffroy Gordon three years ago in Santa Fe during a Holotropic Breathwork retreat where we did kirtan singing and breathwork over a five day period. To me, Jai has the voice of an angle! Whenever I'm facilitating a breathwork or participating, their music touches a place in my soul that reminds me of my deepest parts of myself. I find their music mesmerizing and have been blessed to hear them up close and in a sacred setting. I love the music on Spirit Room and find that it rekindles the energy and sacred space so vital to my healing and daily practice of living life!

New music that sounds new!.......2003-03-19

Infusing a modern take into many wonderful classical indian bhajans and songs is in itself a major task. Doing it competently, and venturing sucessfully into a jazz fusion style is a great acomplishment. I did not know of the artist, until a friend told me to listen to this cd. It was a transforming experience. If you can, take an evening stroll in the closest sandy beach, and enjoy this music for a few hours. It changes your mind. Amazing experience !

This is a "best of" CD - and a nice one.......2001-07-03

... If you are a fan of Jai Uttal's, you'll really like this record. Then again if you are a fan of his, it is likely that you already have everything on this record. If on the other hand, you only kinda like him, or if you (like me) find the "concept" of Jai Uttal kinda cool (a concept that seems to me to consist of jazzy, rockin', westernized versions of "hindu" music - that is bhajans and kirtans), but feel that he has been a bit inconsistent in the fulfillment of that concept over the years - than I reckon you'd also like this record, as it pretty much takes the most successful pieces from his previous records and puts them on a single disc. That is a long winded way of saying: if you like Jai Uttal, and you ain't got his other records, get this one. Otherwise, forget it.

Is Jai's music considered a narcotic?.......2001-04-21

My wife and I met Jai Uttal and Jeffrey Gordon in Costa Rica a few weeks ago. They were there to provide live music at a retreat called Ram Dass and Friends. During the seven days, Jai and Jeffrey played a couple hours each day. Ever since returning to the U.S., we have hummed, whistled, chanted or listened to the music. I have never before been so totally enthralled by a musical style. Some will not like it, some will. I love it, but then again, turn on a radio and listen to me complain. If more stations played music like Jai Uttal, I would listen. For now I will stick to Jai's CDs and the jukebox in my head.

Spirit Room.......2000-08-28

If you like Sting's single entitled "Desert Rose", then you will enjoy this CD. In fact, Jai Uttal has been blending Indian instruments and percussion with western rock music for quite a long time.

The first song on the CD is as strong as "Desert Rose". In fact, I like it better. There are several songs in English on the CD. The majority are traditional Hindu chants set to the creative arrangements of Jai Uttal and his Love Pagan Orchestra. Some sound very tradionally Indian while others almost have a India/Smooth Jazz feel to them.

Jai Uttal is a master at fusing two musical genres thus creating an exciting, exotic and haunting new sound--but without damaging the integrity of either musical genre. This album is a retrospective of his four previous albums.

Tracks:

Chu Lu Lu
Bajanoom
Vers Les Anges
Gold And Spirit
Walking Tune (A Room-Music For Percy Grainger)

Album Description

Laurie Anderson describes the music on Walking Tune as "descriptive, specific, lush, and oddly exotic." The composer is Charles Amirkhanian, a leading practitioner of electroacoustic music and text-sound composition, and an "expert at the sort of thing his imitators do not do half so well as he" (The New York Times). "The art of audio collage has been reinvented here," writes Anderson. "I'm reminded of Brian Eno's music for imaginary films, although Charles takes this idea much farther."

The CD presents the premiere recording of one of Amirkhanian's most well-known and warmly received works, Walking Tune - A Room-Music for Percy Grainger. Anderson comments:

"Mixing the real and the imaginary is a skill that very few composers have. Charles jumps back and forth between these worlds with delightful ease, his curiosity and humor always evident. But in Walking Tune - and many of the other pieces he's done over his long career - this skill is mixed with a sensibility that is elegiac."

Other premiere recordings include the invigorating Chu Lu Lu, a dense one-minute "commercial" commissioned by the American Center in Paris, and the playful Gold and Spirit, commissioned by the 1984 Olympics Arts Festival in Los Angeles. The latter piece realizes a cherished Amirkhanian ambition: to create cheers based on artists' names. Hence we hear such group cheers as "Go Van Gogh," "Ray Man Ray," and "Marcel - Duh Champ."

The CD also contains the slyly witty Vers Les Anges, a tribute to Nicolas Slonimsky, and the hauntingly somber Bajanoom, titled from the Armenian word for "separation."

Walking Tune is "One of the Year's 20 Best CDs," according to the Electronic Music Foundation.

Customer Reviews:

Get closer to Percy Grainger & Morton Feldman.......2000-01-10

Charles Amirkhanian's "Walking Tune" is an extended spoken-word portrait of late American composer Morton Feldman incorporating his recorded speeches and conversations. It's also an homage to Australian-American composer Percy Grainger where haunting violin melodies and fragments of Bach are combines with out-of-doors sounds like geese honks and swarms of hummingbirds to convey Grainger's own praise of nature, using "memory triggers" to create the presence of a person. Stimulating.

Average customer rating:

Michelle Branch is amazing!
I don't hate it but I can't buy it
liyah5 - Please help yourself by not posting stupid remarks
from another view point
Go On Michelle

Spirit Room
Michelle Branch
Manufacturer: Msi Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005NO9P
Release Date: 2002-07-17

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring a Bonus Track. Also features an Enhanced Component.

Customer Reviews:

Michelle Branch is amazing!.......2003-10-16

It's surprising how good this cd is. Her first single Everywhere just blew me away and All you wanted and Goodbye to you were both awesome. I highly recommend this cd if you like either of those songs and especially if you've heard her new cd and you wanna hear some of her other stuff

I don't hate it but I can't buy it.......2002-08-24

I think this is okay. This is defiantly better than most of the crap now, but ... er ... I don't know. To me it sounds as if she really wants to please the masses, the mainstream ... it's just right in the middle, safe and predictable. Not that it doesn't sound nice, but I don't really understand why this is "breath of fresh air" as people have been calling it. It was pretty much just what I expected, and there was nothing I'd like to sit and listen to again.

What I kind of like to hear in a song is tension. You wonder if the artist has made a good choice, but then the song comes together and you like it. Theses songs just kind of float on by without making you stop and really listen.

I don't really go for the lyrics either, they're ... well, kind of soft and predictable. ::shrug:: I tend to like them poetic, with some imagery. (I suppose that's just my preference, but I really am tired of the same old "I love you, I miss you, you hurt me" type of thing.)

Although, I play guitar and I have to admit she does play well.

And, well. I'd take Michelle Branch over Britney any day.
I guess my only complaint is that I'm not hearing anything new or gaining aything by listening to this. I'm not going to give her a bad rating, but I won't be purchasing The Spirit Room. I think I'll wait and see what she comes out with in the next few years before I disregard her, she might get better.

liyah5 - Please help yourself by not posting stupid remarks.......2002-07-19

Let's get it straight! Michelle Branch is even better in concert!! This CD is well worth your money and time. Her music is a very honest look at herself and life around her. Don't be fooled and listen someone who is more worried about their posting than the music. Be gone liyah5!

from another view point.......2002-05-12

being a guy.and loving michelle branch people might think i like her because she is hot,but thats not true. well i guess in some aspect it is but, it also isn't if you get what i meen.the reason im such a fan is because of all the thing's she does i think all people can aggre with me on that one! so i'm just saying...people should look at michelle branch and her album the spirit room and think "wow look at these amazing things she has done" without being a "sex symbol".

Go On Michelle.......2002-04-30

Awesome album. To answer that question, 'All You Wanted' unplugged version is the bonus track

Average customer rating:

You should feel guilty at this price
A CD to die for
beautiful rendition of the slavic/romantic angst

Slavonic Opera Arias

Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Tracks:

As I Merrily Pursued A Gazelle
Song To The Moon
Deprived Of My Youthful Spirit
This Is My Mother's Room
Should I Ever Learn
Oh, What Grief!
How Confused I Feel!
What Right Have They?
Midnight Is Already Nearing
May I Perish

Customer Reviews:

You should feel guilty at this price.......2001-12-17

This recital disc of Slavonic Opera Arias is an absolute treat - Lucia Popp in the repetoire of her homeland. As you would expect, she excels herself, her voice is at once beautiful, subtle, inflected, and passionate - a shimmering, soaring soprano. Of course her pronunciation and sympathy with her native language cannot be faulted.

At bargain price this is one of those discs you should feel guilty paying so little for. I am not aware of any worthwhile comparisons at any price. Treat yourself to a guilt trip today!

A CD to die for.......2001-08-17

You certainly can't have nothing better in this repertory. Lucia Popp and her unique silver toned voice and an amazing interpretation makes wonders in this CD, especially in the Rusalka arias and in the Letter Scene from Eugene Onegin (in my opinion the best recording of this aria ever).

beautiful rendition of the slavic/romantic angst.......1999-05-23

This collection of arias from Dvorzak, Janacek, Tchaikovsky and others beautifully portrays the characteristic sadness of the slavic heart - a genuine protrayal without indulgence. Ms. Popp delicately portrays the water nymph yearning for her lover and dramatically portrays Tatania's episodes of hysteric dispair as she writes to hers.