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Product Description
Review
On the final track of 2007's Pictures, a cover of Leonard Cohen's In My Secret Life, Katie Melua sang of missing a loved one. Three years on, she opens this fourth album with I'd Love to Kill You: "I'd love to kill you as you eat / The pleasure would taste so sweet". She's said that The House may shock fans who've followed her since her 2003 breakthrough, and such lyrical wickedness might imply she's been through quite the stylistic sea change.
As if. The House is as box-ticking of design as even the most fair-weather of fans should expect from an artist who's never pushed at any creative envelope. At their worst these arrangements are lazy to the point of absolute stupor, as lively as a well-fed fatso snoozing in front of the Queen's Christmas speech. This should allow Melua's voice to shine through, but she can sound racked by tracheal rigor mortis, a whisper escaping where a little more of the wow factor that first attracted the ears of Dramatico boss Mike Batt would have improved proceedings.
Batt, for the first time on a Melua album, makes no appearance (save for a single co-write)–in his place William Orbit produces, and former Robbie Williams collaborator Guy Chambers contributes to several songs. This new line-up hasn't led to a considerable shift of dynamic, many songs contentedly shuffling at a mid-tempo pace. This is meant as no slight: Melua is the kind of artist who responds to demand, rather than one who writes to challenge her audience. As such The House is largely a success–those boxes, ticked. But it's disappointing that she's not edged that little further from her comfort zone given the promise of surprises.
Highlights are apparent, though. The Flood, the album's lead single, is a polished arrangement that reins in the temptation for bombast and is better for its restraint. Red Balloons, a co-write with Polly Scattergood, is so delicate the listener might want to hold their breath for its duration, for fear that exhaling would shatter its frail form. And when Melua's vocals convey real intimacy and vulnerability, such as on the closing title-track, she engages the listener with a rarefied grace.
When Melua reveals this sensitive side she's amongst the best artists in her easy-on-the-ear field, and she could yet surpass several of her own idols. But The House contains enough forgettable filler to suggest she's some way off delivering a career-defining canon classic. --Mike Diver
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Product Description
KATIE MELUA The House (2010 UK 12-track CD album produced by William Orbit and includes the single The Flood housed in a digipak picture sleeve which has been boldly AUTOGRAPHED Much Love Katie across the front in a black marker pen comes with lyric booklet)
** Complete With Certificate Of Authenticity **
** Complete With Certificate Of Authenticity **
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
75 of 80 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Katie Melua's fourth studio album, and her first away from the guiding influence of Mike Batt, a collaboration that has produced some fabulous music over the last five years. It seems this has been something of a double-edged sword for the artist. In my humble opinion she is a supremely gifted singer and no mean songwriter either, but her critics have always used the "Batt factor" as an excuse to undermine her worth. I hope I am wrong, but it seems to me she may have felt this a little too, grateful for the mentoring, musicianship and astounding song-writing talent of Mr Batt, but feeling in latter years that she still needs to prove herself as an individual. If that was the case, then it is a testament to her ambition and dedication that somebody who has already penned such heartbreakingly beautiful songs as "Faraway Voice", "Piece By Piece" and "I Cried For You" should still feel the need to prove her writing ability.
Melua's songs don't always grab one instantly. In fact I have initially dismissed several as duds. But it is always the same - after a couple of plays they begin to haunt my brain like some strange, beautiful ghost.
The House certainly hasn't let me down. In fact I think it is superb. Lyrically clever, haunting, diverse and full of subtle melodies, there is plenty here to please the old Melua fans, but enough diversification from her past style to gain many new ones (and hopefully some younger ones!) William Orbit's production is certainly evident, and some passages wouldn't be out of place in a club. I especially liked the little vocal quirks which are dotted throughout the songs, which only someone of Melua's talent and range could pull off effectively. In fact, in places it put me in mind of Kate Bush's vocal experimentation - and that's no bad thing.
You may not enjoy Melua's particular style, and that is down to individual taste. But for me this album proves there can be no doubt about her talent as a writer of songs.
You may suspect I am a fan of Katie Melua's music, and of course you would be right.
I for one hope that she keeps producing albums as good as "The House" (and her previous three albums) for many years to come. But whatever I say won't make any difference. You will either like something or you won't, and the only way to find out is to listen to it.
But in my opinion, pure talent, with or without Mr Batt.
Highly recommended.
Melua's songs don't always grab one instantly. In fact I have initially dismissed several as duds. But it is always the same - after a couple of plays they begin to haunt my brain like some strange, beautiful ghost.
The House certainly hasn't let me down. In fact I think it is superb. Lyrically clever, haunting, diverse and full of subtle melodies, there is plenty here to please the old Melua fans, but enough diversification from her past style to gain many new ones (and hopefully some younger ones!) William Orbit's production is certainly evident, and some passages wouldn't be out of place in a club. I especially liked the little vocal quirks which are dotted throughout the songs, which only someone of Melua's talent and range could pull off effectively. In fact, in places it put me in mind of Kate Bush's vocal experimentation - and that's no bad thing.
You may not enjoy Melua's particular style, and that is down to individual taste. But for me this album proves there can be no doubt about her talent as a writer of songs.
You may suspect I am a fan of Katie Melua's music, and of course you would be right.
I for one hope that she keeps producing albums as good as "The House" (and her previous three albums) for many years to come. But whatever I say won't make any difference. You will either like something or you won't, and the only way to find out is to listen to it.
But in my opinion, pure talent, with or without Mr Batt.
Highly recommended.
36 of 40 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
First of all I would like to say I am a huge fan of Katie Melua and her music. I have all her albums and DVDs and have even seen her in concert at the Royal Albert Hall. I have just bought her new album "The House" and I have to say I am a little bit disappointed. It's an eclectic mix of songs ranging from electric pop, slow ballads, soundtrack-sounding songs to one song (Twisted) that sounds like a Kate Bush number; for those of you old enough to remember her.
Katie's voice sounds great as usual and the musicians play their part too, but if I'm being honest, I think some of the actual songs/lyrics are below her usual high standard. The worse one by far is "God on Drums, Devil on the Bass", ironically the only co-write with Mike Batt. I much prefer when Katie sings bluesy numbers (e.g. Call of the Search, My Aphrodisiac is You, Closest Thing to Crazy, Learnin' the Blues etc.). I'm not too keen on the new experimental direction Katie's music is going in. Also, owing to the rave reviews she got for her cover version of Janis Joplin's "Kosmic Blues" (which was brilliant live and as a recording) I thought Katie would have chosen that route.
The influence of William Orbit in the production is evident, which is not necessarily a good thing, with a couple songs reminding me of "Ray of Light". Plus there were a few major key changes in the songs, which I thought spoilt their overall tempo.
Having said all of this, there are some really good (not great) tracks on the album and still worth the money I paid for it on Amazon! I'm sure Katie fans will enjoy the album, if only for her wonderful voice! My favourite songs (in order) would be; - The One I Love is Gone, A Moment of Madness, No Fear of Heights.
The album art and booklet inside are the usual high standard and there's a nice picture of Katie at the piano, on page two of the booklet. However, I wish it was in a jewel case like her other albums were, rather than folded card (digipak).
Hopefully her next album will be more in-tune to her extraordinarily beautiful voice.
Katie's voice sounds great as usual and the musicians play their part too, but if I'm being honest, I think some of the actual songs/lyrics are below her usual high standard. The worse one by far is "God on Drums, Devil on the Bass", ironically the only co-write with Mike Batt. I much prefer when Katie sings bluesy numbers (e.g. Call of the Search, My Aphrodisiac is You, Closest Thing to Crazy, Learnin' the Blues etc.). I'm not too keen on the new experimental direction Katie's music is going in. Also, owing to the rave reviews she got for her cover version of Janis Joplin's "Kosmic Blues" (which was brilliant live and as a recording) I thought Katie would have chosen that route.
The influence of William Orbit in the production is evident, which is not necessarily a good thing, with a couple songs reminding me of "Ray of Light". Plus there were a few major key changes in the songs, which I thought spoilt their overall tempo.
Having said all of this, there are some really good (not great) tracks on the album and still worth the money I paid for it on Amazon! I'm sure Katie fans will enjoy the album, if only for her wonderful voice! My favourite songs (in order) would be; - The One I Love is Gone, A Moment of Madness, No Fear of Heights.
The album art and booklet inside are the usual high standard and there's a nice picture of Katie at the piano, on page two of the booklet. However, I wish it was in a jewel case like her other albums were, rather than folded card (digipak).
Hopefully her next album will be more in-tune to her extraordinarily beautiful voice.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If you buy this simply on the strength of being a Melua fan then play it three or four times or in other words don't jump to conclusions!
The 'girl next door' image is going if not gone, but Katie's voice still sounds great, a little more earthy on some tracks and still powerful too. I particularly like 'The Flood' which has great lyrics and a dynamic production. Many may disagree but I could hear a little 'Madonna' (at her best) style coming through on this track and others - perhaps not surprising with William Orbit producing.
Katie punches her weight on the vocals, and few of these songs will ever appear on top karaoke charts because it is clear they are difficult to sing, indeed I feel that in some cases only Katie (and perhaps Madonna) could do justice.
In short Katie will keep her existing following and earn new fans with this album, it grows on you with every play.
The 'girl next door' image is going if not gone, but Katie's voice still sounds great, a little more earthy on some tracks and still powerful too. I particularly like 'The Flood' which has great lyrics and a dynamic production. Many may disagree but I could hear a little 'Madonna' (at her best) style coming through on this track and others - perhaps not surprising with William Orbit producing.
Katie punches her weight on the vocals, and few of these songs will ever appear on top karaoke charts because it is clear they are difficult to sing, indeed I feel that in some cases only Katie (and perhaps Madonna) could do justice.
In short Katie will keep her existing following and earn new fans with this album, it grows on you with every play.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The House
I just bought The House by Katie Melua. At first I didn't know what to make of her knew music, thought she was going bit off the wall (especially seeing videos of her in those... Read more
Published 2 months ago by A. S. Phillips
More Brilliant Melua
If you're a fan of Katie Melua you will not be disappointed by this album. I got it for Christmas and love every song on it!
Published 3 months ago by jsully
Outstanding! This is a must-own album
I never paid much attention to Katie Melua and thats because she was always dumped in the Jazz section of local stores (I hate Jazz). Read more
Published 3 months ago by I. C. Graves
Katie Melua The House
I am a great fan of Katie Melua and I wasn't disappointed with her latest CD at all. It was a Christmas present and I couldn't wait to hear it. Fantastic!!!
Published 4 months ago by barry in cyprus
UNEXPECTED AND BRILLIANT
When the single THE FLOOD came out,i think a lot of people were surprised by the change of direction KATIE was clearly taking,but i kind of liked it,bought the album and applaud... Read more
Published 10 months ago by BAZ316
The House
Saw katie live and then bought the cd. It was great re-living the show! The tracks are varied and the pace changes which makes it great to listen to in the car. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Dark Horse
Katie Melua
We saw Katie Melua in concert in Bristol in April and she was brilliant. Did a lot of songs from previous three CD's plus most of last years 'The House' We were prompted to... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Snarly
disappointing
If you want Katie Melua as you've heard her before then don't buy this- yes she said it was a diversion from her usual style but it is disappointing. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Su
A masterpiece
First of all, I should state that I'm a long-time fan of Katie Melua, so my review can be a little biased. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Alfredo Ferreira Junior
Gorgeous
Having not really heard much of Katie Melua before purchasing this album I have to say that I was hooked! Read more
Published 13 months ago by flux
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