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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
If you’re the defeatist sort that doesn’t tend to believe in second (or indeed third) chances, you could do worse than to look to Aussie-pop femme-fatale Sia and for hard evidence Some People Have Real Problems, her third solo effort. Originally celebrated as one of the voices of Zero 7, and also with a solo hit of her own (the pre-Stefani-esque "Taken for Granted"), at the turn of the century, Sia’s subsequent career and two solo records failed to make an equal mark in spite of fetching flourishes, which seemed a plain waste of an assured talent. But she re-emerges here three years after her last record in sleek, aerodynamic fettle and a fine form in which to slot into a world where Amy Winehouse (see the smoky jazz of "Lentil" and beautiful soaring ballad "Soon We’ll Be Found"), Corinne Bailey Rae (the moreish modern soul of "Little Black Sandles" and "Day Too Soon"), Feist (the haunting and cinematic "I Go to Sleep") and Alison Goldfrapp (the slinky heat of "Playground") command instant mainstream attention. The feistiness of Pink and immediacy of Natasha Beddingfield also pervade her work, propping up songs that sound hard crafted and kitting her out with all the tools she should need for lasting impact. If the Natasha Bedingfield comparison doesn’t swing you, perhaps the involvement of alt-rock crown-prince Beck will, hovering gruffly in the shadows as he does on the perky, orchestral "Academia". Either way, Sia doesn’t have any real problems. --James Berry
Review
Sia Furler, Australian queen of post-trip hop jazzy soul must be kicking herself. Having forged a mighty reputation with both her work with coffee table after-clubbers, Zero 7 and her five solo albums, she wakes up one day to find the market flooded with other women keen to pocket the slurry-voiced end of the market. This album should easily see off such pretenders.
The fact remains that Sia was there first, and her maturity and experience makes her voice a much more convincing tool. Some People Have Real Problems is both packed with beautifully lazy, melancholic tunes and delivered with a production job that highlights the best aspects of her voice. This is helped by the presence of some of Beck's band, as well as the boy himself on backing vocals.
The truest test is that she can take a familiar cover version and OWN it: It's an unusual step to first release a live version of a song (on last year's Lady Croissant) and then follow it with a studio rendition, but her take on Ray Davies' "I Go To Sleep" owes nothing to Chrissie Hynde. Listen to the control that finally allows the disarmingly restrained pipes to take flight on the second chorus.
The awfully-titled but still amazing "Death By Chocolate" makes the (oft) fatal mistake of crossing over into Gospel territory and still never falters. Only on rockier tracks like "Buttons" does she become mildly unstuck. Admittedly the weary Billie Holiday croak can get a little too familiar, especially as it's this very trope that the likes of Adele and Duffy are trying to tempt you with over the next few months. But by the blaring horns of "Electric Bird" the wealth of tunes and genuine FEEL have bulldozered any misgivings into dust. It may not be original but it's quality.
Hopefully enough people can fight past the childlike visuals (recently coined as 'tweetronising' by the Guardian's Charlie Brooker) that seem to be so essential for marketing anything to a thirty-something audience these days. For at the heart of Some People Have Real Problems is a grown-up and brave album of jazz pop. It deserves your attention. --Chris Jones
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The ridiculous review below couldn't be further from the truth!
I'm lost for words really! 'High Energy Performance'? If you'd been to one of Sia's gigs then you'd understand that she's amazingly focused throughout singing her songs and then stupid and bubbly in between. She doesn't need to do any stupid dances or anything whilst singing because the quality of her songs shine through.
The album is fantastic. The arrangements and overall production and sound of the album is amazing!
I really can't say more than that.
Just, whatever you do, do not listen to the review below - Judge for yourself.
Sia is not another Amy Winehouse (thank god) she's in a different league. A much better classier league!!
I'm lost for words really! 'High Energy Performance'? If you'd been to one of Sia's gigs then you'd understand that she's amazingly focused throughout singing her songs and then stupid and bubbly in between. She doesn't need to do any stupid dances or anything whilst singing because the quality of her songs shine through.
The album is fantastic. The arrangements and overall production and sound of the album is amazing!
I really can't say more than that.
Just, whatever you do, do not listen to the review below - Judge for yourself.
Sia is not another Amy Winehouse (thank god) she's in a different league. A much better classier league!!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By G. Doulias
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Ok, i admit it, i am not the guy who writes reviews for every item bought. But i cant help it not writing a review for this album.
Sia has done it (again) this time....Across with Lady croissant this is her best album so far for me.
All of us have heard breathe me...and we said wow, is this real? we admired her voice, her lyrics, we cried with this track and then we have heard colour the small one.
but this album is SPECTACULAR! In 2008 we are overdosed with albums that you know we like one-three tracks and the others are bad!
But "some people have real problems" you just press play and you listen to the disc from the beginning until the end! she changes her voice, her style, her lyrics, the music is playful, sad, trippy.
i love it that's the point. a disc to have and not to download! its worth it really! hope i helped.
Sia has done it (again) this time....Across with Lady croissant this is her best album so far for me.
All of us have heard breathe me...and we said wow, is this real? we admired her voice, her lyrics, we cried with this track and then we have heard colour the small one.
but this album is SPECTACULAR! In 2008 we are overdosed with albums that you know we like one-three tracks and the others are bad!
But "some people have real problems" you just press play and you listen to the disc from the beginning until the end! she changes her voice, her style, her lyrics, the music is playful, sad, trippy.
i love it that's the point. a disc to have and not to download! its worth it really! hope i helped.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If you want a feel good, chilled, happy album - this is the album for you.
Sia's voice is evidently incredible, and this album shows this off perfectly.
You know that with each song you have her heart too.
There are no 'filler' tracks in this album; every single track is magical and spell-binding.
This is the kind of album you could play at a dinner party, but it has a slight left-field flair to it - its quirky & charming but elegant at the same time.
For chilling out I recommend 'Day Too Soon', 'Lullaby' (the piano is stunning & compliments her voice perfectly), and 'Beautiful Calm Driving'.
For more upbeat moments, I recommend 'Death By Chocolate' & 'Playground' (it brings you back to your childhood!)
And for those Bridget Jones 'I'm a strong woman' moments, her latest single 'Girl You Lost To Cocaine' is perfect!
'Little Black Sandals' must have a mention too, this opening track draws you into the album, and it's subtle and gorgeous.
- I could never get bored of this album; it sounds perfect in a cold January, and perfect chilling in the garden in the summer. It truly is stunning - I can't wait to hear more from her.
Sia's voice is evidently incredible, and this album shows this off perfectly.
You know that with each song you have her heart too.
There are no 'filler' tracks in this album; every single track is magical and spell-binding.
This is the kind of album you could play at a dinner party, but it has a slight left-field flair to it - its quirky & charming but elegant at the same time.
For chilling out I recommend 'Day Too Soon', 'Lullaby' (the piano is stunning & compliments her voice perfectly), and 'Beautiful Calm Driving'.
For more upbeat moments, I recommend 'Death By Chocolate' & 'Playground' (it brings you back to your childhood!)
And for those Bridget Jones 'I'm a strong woman' moments, her latest single 'Girl You Lost To Cocaine' is perfect!
'Little Black Sandals' must have a mention too, this opening track draws you into the album, and it's subtle and gorgeous.
- I could never get bored of this album; it sounds perfect in a cold January, and perfect chilling in the garden in the summer. It truly is stunning - I can't wait to hear more from her.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By august blood
Format:Audio CD
I have all 3 of Sia's studio albums plus the live Lady Croissant and this is the one I can't stop listening to!
This album is her most consistent offering and really showcases her beautiful voice, thoughtful, often moving and seemingly personal lyrics, all enveloped in emotive melodies and arrangements.
The production and sound is full and balanced with a great 'band' feel ; overall this is an upbeat album with more powerful vocals than her last album and has memorable tunes- not one song is filler and you'll want to play it again and again. In my opinion she is amongst the best female vocalists of all time: timbre, phrasing and emotion. Forget the fakes- she is the real thing!
This album is her most consistent offering and really showcases her beautiful voice, thoughtful, often moving and seemingly personal lyrics, all enveloped in emotive melodies and arrangements.
The production and sound is full and balanced with a great 'band' feel ; overall this is an upbeat album with more powerful vocals than her last album and has memorable tunes- not one song is filler and you'll want to play it again and again. In my opinion she is amongst the best female vocalists of all time: timbre, phrasing and emotion. Forget the fakes- she is the real thing!
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If Ms Furler's biographical material contained in her MySpace domain is to be correctly understood, we are informed that she believes herself to have been "...born out of the butthole of a unicorn called steve" - a "...unicorn fart" no less.
Steve it is then who must be applauded for bringing this extraordinarily talented singer, writer and performer into the world. She is indeed a rare gift.
The Wolf's penchant and patience for weird and wonderful women is boundless.
With "Some People Have Real Problems" we are confronted with a collection of thirteen( fourteen, with "hidden track" 'Buttons' - enough already with the hidden tracks! ) songs of widely varying emotional and dynamic colour.
Ms Furler's voice is a rich and capable instrument. From the raw, bluesy strains of opening track 'Little Black Sandals'; through the lazy Left-Bank lyricism of 'Lentil' and 'Soon We Will Be Found' to the consummate beauty of songs such as 'Day Too Soon' and 'Lullaby', the layers of her considerable talent are revealed one by one for our delectation.
Chanteuse. R&B Diva. Torch Song Princess. It's all here.
A very, very fine voice indeed.
Truth be told both the production and musical support is somewhat crude and unsympathetic at times but our heroine's vivid and totally convincing presence shines through and saves the day.
Highly Recommended.
Steve it is then who must be applauded for bringing this extraordinarily talented singer, writer and performer into the world. She is indeed a rare gift.
The Wolf's penchant and patience for weird and wonderful women is boundless.
With "Some People Have Real Problems" we are confronted with a collection of thirteen( fourteen, with "hidden track" 'Buttons' - enough already with the hidden tracks! ) songs of widely varying emotional and dynamic colour.
Ms Furler's voice is a rich and capable instrument. From the raw, bluesy strains of opening track 'Little Black Sandals'; through the lazy Left-Bank lyricism of 'Lentil' and 'Soon We Will Be Found' to the consummate beauty of songs such as 'Day Too Soon' and 'Lullaby', the layers of her considerable talent are revealed one by one for our delectation.
Chanteuse. R&B Diva. Torch Song Princess. It's all here.
A very, very fine voice indeed.
Truth be told both the production and musical support is somewhat crude and unsympathetic at times but our heroine's vivid and totally convincing presence shines through and saves the day.
Highly Recommended.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Jane
Format:Audio CD
I had never even heard of Sia until I saw her on Jools Holland a couple of months ago and now I am a huge fan! I can't understand why she isn't much more famous. This album is great - really good songs; Sia has an amazing voice and puts over so much emotion (unlike other newer, better-known but inferior singers such as Duffy and Adele who I found boring after a few listens - they do not have her passion).
I have played this album over and over and also bought her 2 previous albums (also great but very different). I like all the tracks but my favourites are 'Day too soon' (very uplifting), 'Soon we'll be found', 'Beautiful Calm Driving' (real grower) 'I go to sleep' (so beautiful - makes me cry) and 'Buttons'.
Buy it and hear someone with an amazing voice and real depths of emotion. I just love it!
I have played this album over and over and also bought her 2 previous albums (also great but very different). I like all the tracks but my favourites are 'Day too soon' (very uplifting), 'Soon we'll be found', 'Beautiful Calm Driving' (real grower) 'I go to sleep' (so beautiful - makes me cry) and 'Buttons'.
Buy it and hear someone with an amazing voice and real depths of emotion. I just love it!
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Oh yes, some people do have real problems.....
but this CD doesn't!!! Not often I buy a CD and like every song but I do with this one. Beautiful, mesmerizing, thought invoking....
Published 1 month ago by Dawn Samson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding, just outstanding, one of the most original albums ever!
Let me first say that I love Sia. I wanna meet her, I wanna live with her, I just want to know what/where/who is she inspired by, really I mean, every single song on this album are... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Kaan Sensoy
4.0 out of 5 stars
A reasonably good third effort
Sia Furler's third album "Some People Have Real Problems" is a good follow up to "Colour The Small One" as it continues with the rock tinged pop theme. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Amillionmiles
5.0 out of 5 stars
Breath-taking
As much as I love Zero 7 I love this Sia album more, her voice is dreamy and so unique. Its just amazing and one of my all time favourite albums, I can listen to it over and over... Read more
Published on 30 Dec 2010 by L. Bown
5.0 out of 5 stars
Some people have real problems
I bought this CD after watching Sia perform live on the Jools Holland show. Every track in my opinion is brilliant. Read more
Published on 31 Oct 2010 by pottsy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sublime SIA
I have been buying music on a regular basis since the age of 13 (nearly 40 years) and probably buy on average 10~20 CD's a month. Read more
Published on 21 Aug 2010 by Tim O'Leary
5.0 out of 5 stars
No Problems At All
The weird and wonderful Sia Furler (Looks weird, sounds wonderful) was completely unknown to me before her appearance on Jools Holland's show but such was her impact that this... Read more
Published on 22 Oct 2009 by J. J. McDONALD
5.0 out of 5 stars
No problems with this album
I had never heard of Sia until listening to this album but I really recommend it - the songs are tuneful and melancholy but in a gutsy, profound way, not whimsical and sugary-sweet... Read more
Published on 9 July 2009 by C. Pengelly
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really a must-have
Sia's third studio album is the best she ever released. Although the second one titled colour the small one was quite perfect, this is really the peak of everything. Read more
Published on 20 May 2009 by CK
5.0 out of 5 stars
Flawless
All I can say is, if you're wondering whether to buy this album or not - do it. It is most certainly Sia's best album, and every song is amazing. It is completely flawless. Read more
Published on 18 May 2009 by Emily
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