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Product Description
Review
Of all the new voices to fall from the X Factor/Pop Idol production line, 18-year-old Diana Vickers’s is certainly the most interesting. It’s not conventionally good, that’s for sure. A stack of her syllables seem misshapen, noises unlike anything else in pop running rampant, butting into glottal stops left, right and centre. She sounds like Shakira, if the Columbian was born and raised in the British north-west; or like Ellie Goulding if the Brit-winner was slurring her way through SingStar. Yet these parallels stick for only brief passages. She’s utterly unlike any other artist to have received a Simon Cowell-shaped seal of approval.
Cowell described Vickers’s singing voice as “Marmite”, and the adage is employed accurately enough here. Suffice to say she will not be spawning a slew of sound-alike imitators, as no vocal coach could coax these squeals, shrieks, shouts and sighs from any other set of chords. It’s a voice oddly older than its owner, deeper than a girl of her delicate years should manage; a voice that defies detracting assessments through virtue of being so weird. When it’s sliced ‘n’ diced on You’ll Never Get To Heaven, things get stranger still – imagine a chattering Smash robot impersonating Alvin of The Chipmunks fame. On Once she creates a massive chorus out of just two words, such is the tumultuous timbre of her bombastic bleating. On a first listen it's not clear whether the song’s amazing, an overdue successor to the pop-rock crunch of Girls Aloud’s Sound of the Underground, or awful in the extreme.
It’s lucky for Vickers, though, that her voice will be the subject of much debate. The music here, assembled by a vast team of contributors (including writers who’ve worked with the likes of Britney, Kylie and, erm, Lee from Blue), is forgettable without the blinding colour the vocalist brings. Replace her with some Irish crooners on Four Leaf Clover and you’ve got a Westlife hit; scrub her breathy confessionals from Notice and it’s a track that Dolores O'Riordan could have written in her sleep. And Once, while impressive when contrasted with the majority of X Factor stars’ debut singles, could have slipped onto any Sugababes album between 2000 and 2005. It’s initially striking, but actually fairly ordinary.
Vickers has a voice to stand out from any crowd, but the first impression she seeks to leave with this debut is compromised by songwriting by committee. A little more compositional guile, appropriate for this artist, could have considerably improved proceedings. --Mike Diver
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CD Description
Diana Vickers' debut album Songs From The Tainted Cherry Tree is the result of over a year’s worth of work for Diana with an amazing array of co-writers and producers. The list of collaborators is as impressive as it is surprising, with Ellie Goulding, Lightspeed Champion, Nerina Pallot, Starsmith, Guy Sigsworth and Cathy Dennis all helping to give the record its mature shape. But it’s Diana herself who keeps it box-fresh youthful. Her work with Hackney digi-folk troubadour Lightspeed Champion on "Me and You" has produced probably the straightest pop song on the record, ironically with her most unusual collaboration. Ellie Goulding’s co-write "Remake Me and You" meanwhile, is the strangest cut on the record – a jittery stop-start electro boogie that lodges itself straight in the head. The lead single is Cathy Dennis and Eg White’s "Once", which from the original demo has been re-arranged to Diana’s bespoke measurements and builds to a gob-stopping crescendo in the first minute.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This album shows what Diana can do when allowed to produce her own music and isn't constrained by what she had to sing in the X Factor. She has really found her confidence and has produced songs that really allow her quirky personality to show through. The album is far from the ordinary generic pop stuff that generally comes from talent contest participants as a last ditch attempt at fame before they disappear into obscurity. Diana has written the lyrics and music for many of these songs herself and My Hip where she plays the trumpet is one of the really fantastic songs where her wide ranging talent shows through.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The title of this review alludes to all the subjects touched upon across the thirteen tracks of the debut album from Diana Vickers. Of course they all play a part in elaborate metaphors for the same old subjects covered by current pop artists, but at least she's gone to some effort to move away from generic lyrics! Before I proceed I have something to confess....when Diana was on The X Factor I was a fan and supporter, and therefore I was highly anticipating this album, hence my expectations were high, but it also meant I was determined to like it and like it I do! That said I can recognise that (unfortunately) this album does have its weak points which prevent me from awarding it top marks. Now I shall embark upon a track-by-track review:
1.Once-The dead catchy first single from Miss Vickers. This track is pop perfection in mu view and fully deserving of its number one spot in the charts. 10/10
2.Remake Me and You-Another upbeat electro number (very different from what I'm guessing her fans thought she would sing). For me this doesn't quite reach the heights of the first track, but that said I do enjoy it. 8/10
3.The Boy Who Murdered Love-This song sucks you in from the very first listen; in fact you could well be singing along by the last chorus of your first listen. 9/10
4.Four Leaf Clover-A definite grower. The first time I listened I found it bland, but now it is probably my favourite track on the entire album. A lovely ballad which show off some extremely delicate vocals. 10/10
5.Put It Back Together-This was written with the fantastically talented Nerina Pallot. Although this is not Nerina's finest work by some distance it certainly has a special quality! 8/10
6.You'll Never Get To Heaven-Although I do enjoy this track it could well be seen by many as filler with its midtempo groove. 7/10
7.Me & You-Diana herself has claimed that this is the type of song that she herself and probably her fans expected to hear her sing. She's not wrong. And furthermore I love it! I know many have criticised it, but I love it simplistic and understated melody. 9/10
8.My Hip-This is probably the finest uptempo track aside from 'Once'. It absolutely has to be released as a single with its saxophones and oh so catchy chorus! 10/10
9.N.U.M.B-In my opinion this track is where it hits it weakest point. The lyrics are clicheed (eg. N.U.M.B I feel empty) and the vocals slightly slurred. Not a fan! 4/10
10.Hit-A Bjork cover and again this is far from my favourite. In all honesty after listening to the album numerous times I could not sing a line from memory, which is unusual for me. 5/10
11.Notice-Unfortunately the weak patch is proved to be far from a temporary blip by this track in the album. This is another clicheed ballad and one the album really could have done without. 5/10
12.Jumping Into Rivers-Thankfully quality control is restored at this point. In fact the album doesn't just bounce back to life with a good track, it bounces back with a fantastic one! This is summer-simple as that. I love it. 10/10
13.Chasing You-A great way to round off the album-what more can I say! 8/10
So as you can see this is a superb album only let down by a few mediocre songs towards the end of the album!
1.Once-The dead catchy first single from Miss Vickers. This track is pop perfection in mu view and fully deserving of its number one spot in the charts. 10/10
2.Remake Me and You-Another upbeat electro number (very different from what I'm guessing her fans thought she would sing). For me this doesn't quite reach the heights of the first track, but that said I do enjoy it. 8/10
3.The Boy Who Murdered Love-This song sucks you in from the very first listen; in fact you could well be singing along by the last chorus of your first listen. 9/10
4.Four Leaf Clover-A definite grower. The first time I listened I found it bland, but now it is probably my favourite track on the entire album. A lovely ballad which show off some extremely delicate vocals. 10/10
5.Put It Back Together-This was written with the fantastically talented Nerina Pallot. Although this is not Nerina's finest work by some distance it certainly has a special quality! 8/10
6.You'll Never Get To Heaven-Although I do enjoy this track it could well be seen by many as filler with its midtempo groove. 7/10
7.Me & You-Diana herself has claimed that this is the type of song that she herself and probably her fans expected to hear her sing. She's not wrong. And furthermore I love it! I know many have criticised it, but I love it simplistic and understated melody. 9/10
8.My Hip-This is probably the finest uptempo track aside from 'Once'. It absolutely has to be released as a single with its saxophones and oh so catchy chorus! 10/10
9.N.U.M.B-In my opinion this track is where it hits it weakest point. The lyrics are clicheed (eg. N.U.M.B I feel empty) and the vocals slightly slurred. Not a fan! 4/10
10.Hit-A Bjork cover and again this is far from my favourite. In all honesty after listening to the album numerous times I could not sing a line from memory, which is unusual for me. 5/10
11.Notice-Unfortunately the weak patch is proved to be far from a temporary blip by this track in the album. This is another clicheed ballad and one the album really could have done without. 5/10
12.Jumping Into Rivers-Thankfully quality control is restored at this point. In fact the album doesn't just bounce back to life with a good track, it bounces back with a fantastic one! This is summer-simple as that. I love it. 10/10
13.Chasing You-A great way to round off the album-what more can I say! 8/10
So as you can see this is a superb album only let down by a few mediocre songs towards the end of the album!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I loved every song. They are new and refreshing. Diana Vickers voice with its strange twang gives this album a rare individuality. Once you have listened all the way through once - do it again - and again. You will soon be singing along. It is definately for Diana Vickers fans - if you dont like her strange sound then dont buy this album..shes like Marmite you will either love her or hate her. If you love her then buy it you wont regret it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Songs from the tainted cherry tree
I watched her progress through X Factor and think she got as far as she deserved. Her voice is unique and so is this album - but you'll either love it or hate it. I love it! Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mr. K. Pickering
A great listen
I've loved Diana all along and this is why. She's brought out a wicked album,every track brill. Anyone who loves her like me will defiantly love this album.
Published 9 months ago by musicmad
Diana Vickers X Factor late starter worth wait
Surprising good album, my tastes range from 60s to present day with a wide range of genre, puts me in mind of Kate Bush, Cramberries, Dolores O'Riordan, Goldfrap at the same time... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Regsboy
Poor Song Writers
As a vocal artist Diana Vickers is fairly unique, which I enjoy, a lot. Unfortunately a cocktail of bad song writing and production have let the side down. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Seventh_He4ven
Judging Fruit
A cute album with a laid back, dreamy sound. Slower than I expected but still enjoyable with a few faster tracks.
Published 20 months ago by Tainted Cherry
Songs From The Tainted Cherry Treeby Diana Vickers
not bad for a first album by the person that should've won the show. play it all the time now nice one
Published 21 months ago by Neil Payne
A beautiful as a summers day
Diana has blown away all the misconceptions of rushing a first album out for release - she did it purely her way. Read more
Published 21 months ago by S. Lawson
Go Go Quirky Girl!!
Loved Diana on the X-Factor with that unique lilt to her voice - a female Will Young!! Got into this straight away as it has a great upbeat and unique feel throughout. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Bev 'Go For It' Porter
AMZING WOMEN WITH AMAZIN TALENT
Since i saw Leona on the X Factor i hav longed for another contestent to be as good and then comes Diana. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Jake B. Williams
CRACKING FIRST ALBUM
Very happy to have purchased this. Congratulations Diana for waiting so that you could produce an album worthy of your unique singing style and voice.
THANKS.
THANKS.
Published 22 months ago by Bungie
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