By Alisha Stamper
mplified Heart (1994) was the first album I consciously looked at the imagery in the booklet of the case. Every photograph I have ever seen of an electric guitar brings the one on the inside of this album to my head, and I compare the other images to this first, completely impressioned, one. (The back and front images are no laughing matter either. The photographs good bands use to accompany their music typically highlight their good artistic sense.)
The entire album is playing with no skipped songs. I find myself fading in and out of singing along. That's the type of music this is. It is so ingrained, part of me, that I don't even realize I've started. And its the kind you use a REAL singing voice for. Tracey Thorn has a weighty voice. Like molasses, but not dark. Its the type that can hold a note and deepen it, instead of getting wavery and introducing untrained vibrato. Nope, her's is a true, piercing voice.
My favorite song, hands down, is "I Don't Understand Anything." I would warrant that it is one of the best songs ever. Full of longing and full orchestral backing, this song taught me to have realistic expectations about dealing with life, love and heartbreak. Most people have heard the more "radio/mixy" version of "Missing". Its okay, but definitely doesn't do the album credit. James Blunt overplayed "You're Beautiful" is a snarky, wannabe version of "Walking to You". Just another reason James Blunt sucks and Everything But the Girl belongs in your CD collection.
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