The Lost Tracks [Import]

This is the (limited edition) album Lost Tracks by Anouk. It's a cardboard and contains two cd's, tracks 1-15 are audio tracks on cd 1 (track 14 and 15 are recorded with a DAT recorder in her kitchen but are still good quality), cd 2 is a DVD with all her clips on it, 10 tracks (tracks 16 'till 25 according to Amazon's tracklisting) and a discography. A little info on some clips: There are two clips for Nobody's wife, one for Europe, the other for the U.S. (the U.S. version is a remix wich lasts a bit longer and has slight differences with the original song, it's a different clip ); two clips of Sacrifice, Anouk thought the fist clip was too boring so the second version became the real one (the first couldn't be seen on tv, so that's why it's called the forbidden version); the clip of Don't is the remix, since that was the single version. This cd is called the lost tracks because it contains only tracks not to be found on earlier albums (Together Alone and Urban Solitude). The new single, Love (also on this album) doesn't have a videoclip so that one's not included, but furthermore all of her clips are on here.... So for all you out there in the U.S., try to listen to Anouk's debut album Together Alone (wich WAS released in the U.S. for some reason), you won't be disappointed (it's rockmusic). And remember that she's got two more albums released after that, wich are even better.

Great! For fans, this album puts on disc some versions of songs only heard at Anouk's concerts. I also highy recommend her CD "Urban Legend" -- it is only available as an import here in the US but worth the money. Anouk recently had a baby and appears to be taking a break. When she resumes touring, for those in Europe, and if we are lucky enough to get her in the US, for those here, go see this lady in concert. Anouk and her bank rock. I was lucky enough to catch Anouk on her tour for "Urban Legends" in Munich, Germany. One of the best live shows I've ever seen. Anouk puts forth enough energy on stage to light a city!

In between `Urban Solitude' (I'm still so bitter that I don't own that CD) and `Graduated Fool', Anouk released her first collection of B-Sides so-to-speak; some remix tracks, live tracks, covers and songs that failed to make a full studio album. I prefer `Update' as a whole, but `Lost Tracks' is a solid compellation in its own right.

So if we break this down we have:

Studio recordings: `Break Down the Wall', `Home is My Head', `Redemption', `Last Time', `In the Sand', `R.U. Kiddin' Me'

Acoustic Tracks: `Love', `Break Down the Wall', `Don't'

Remix Tracks: `Don't', `Sacrifice', `Nobody's Wife', `It's So Hard'

Cover Tracks: `I Alone'

Live Tracks: `Lovin' Whiskey'

`Break Down the Wall' is one of the best tracks on the album, and it comes in two variations at that. Both are wonderful and they shine in different ways. I personally prefer the acoustic version, but that's just because it's more my speed. Anouk's voice is perfectly suited for the deepness of the acoustic guitar. `Love' is a beautiful track, and even though Anouk's vocal runs at the end can seem rather excessive, it still remains one of the most emotionally stirring tracks on the album. Both versions of `Don't' are great here; especially the remix version, which just elevates the whole track. I love the acoustic version too, but the remix is stunning to say the least. `Last Time' has a nice smooth vibe to it, a vibe that Anouk has perfected in her later albums.

I am in love with Live and so her decision to cover `I Alone' (one of their greatest songs) is inspired and masterfully done.

The two best tracks here are `In the Sand' and `Lovin' Whiskey'. `In the Sand' sounds as if she set up a recorder in her living room and strummed away on her couch. The sound is a little muted, obviously not studio touched, and it adds to her emotional punch. In fact, `R.U. Kiddin' Me' has that same sound; like a demo version of the studio track. `In the Sand' is a better song than `R.U. Kiddin' Me', but both are album highlights. `Lovin' Whiskey' is the live track here, and it is a stunning piece. Anouk shines on the stage, and this song is a beautiful example of how charismatic she can be while maintaining her solemn signature sound.

Sadly, the new versions of `Sacrifice', `Nobody's Wife' and `It's So Hard' fail to excite me. I am not a fan of the original `It's So Hard', and maybe this version is slightly better, but not by much if at all. I LOVE the original `Sacrifice', and so this version really upsets me. It loses all its raw emotion in this 90's pop radio mix. The island reggae tones added to `Nobody's Wife' are really messy. They slow the song down way to much and come off very awkward. It's the worst of the three, by a long shot.

I'm also not a big fan of `Home is My Head', and I am repulsed by `Redemption'. It saddens me that Anouk can deliver some of the best (and when I say best I mean BEST) music out there and then some of the worst. `Redemption' is a messy rap rock track that has no redeemable traits. At least `Home is My Head' has an easy style she possesses and so it never comes off awkward. It's not a good track, but it's not `bad'. It's merely mediocre.

Overall I give this one a B. When it shines it shines really, really bright. It has a few sore spots, and one REALLY sore spot, but as a whole the album is rather solid and is sure to keep you entertained.