| 1. Starting Today |
| 2. Shiver |
| 3. Satisfied |
| 4. Counting Down the Days |
| 5. I Won't Be Lost |
| 6. Slow Down |
| 7. Sanctuary |
| 8. Perfectly |
| 9. On the Run |
| 10. Come on Home |
| 11. When You're Sleeping |
| 12. Honeycomb Child |
Editorial Reviews
Product Description
The Beautiful Australian Vocalist / Actress / Model's Third Album Arrives Almost Four Years after 2001's "White Lilies Island," which Debuted at No. 35 on the Billboard 200 Chart. Produced by Ben Hillier (Doves, Blur), Imbruglia Ventures Out to Stretch her Sound and Artistry with a Much More Layered, Mature Instrumental Backup and Remarkably Greater Confidence. Musical Guest Appearances on the Tracks Come from Silverchair's Daniel Johns and Faultline's David Kosten, who Co-wrote the Closing Track "Honeycomb Child."
Being a pianist, I tend to like music that is more keyboard based, however, not keyboard dominant - I still like everything in balance. What's disappointing for this reviewer is the lack of variety. Gone are the synths and taking front and center stage is the acoustic guitar. In fact, the dominance of the acoustic guitar is prevalent in almost every one of the twelve tracks on this album. I enjoy the guitar, but not on every song.
Another unfortunate aspect of the album is that its quite lack-luster. Just when you think a song is about to get going, it doesn't. The instrumentation changes little between verses, melodies are repetitive, and it tends to all sound the same, leaving the listener numb. Tracks 5 and 11 are quite boring; track 12, which could have been a cut from a late 1980's Sheena Easton album, opens with an incessant music box sound, which is quite irritating.
There are a few bright moments: the title track has very interesting chord progressions and build; Track 7, "Sanctuary," brings back the sound from her past two albums and has a verse that is in 6/4 time - it works, oddly enough; "On The Run" would not be my first choice for a single because of how dark it sounds, but it's very well written.
If you've purchased Natalie's previous two albums, you'll find that each one is quite different. It's almost as if she's not willing to get stuck in a "style," but is on a musical journey with a destiny that could lead her who knows where. That you have to admire; however, with different producers and song-writing contributors, it is this reviewer's opinion that the album failed to match the level of creativity that it's predecessor did. It seems that it will be one of those albums that you'll either really like or not. Listen to it and you be the judge.
After getting married in 2003 to the Silverchair frontman, the Australian pop singer/actress seems much happier and more secure. The evidence: "Counting Down the Days," her third album. Apparently the child-voiced singer is no longer "Torn," as she was in her debut, but is now "Satisfied."
"Starting today/I'm not gonna waste another moment/Even if I had had the chance before/I would have blown it," she sings at the start of the album, over a simple, upbeat little pop tune that is half keyboard, half acoustic guitar. That note carries over to songs where she talks a lot about home, "falling apart together," and the loneliness of long-distance relationships.
Those songs give Imbruglia's music a more , not the sort of "I met a guy and I'm crazy about him" love songs. The exception is "Shiver," a catchy song obviously destined for singledom. "Cause I shiver/I just break up/When I'm near you/It all gets out of hand." Catchy, yet rather trite.
Not every song focuses on marital bliss, however. "Satisfied" exposes worries about the future: "This knot could come undone/no matter how we try to keep it tied," she sings over a deceptively perky pop backdrop. Well, I gotta admit, who likes an all-happy collection of love songs?
It must count for something that the producer for Blur and the Doves, Ben Hillier, did work on "Counting Down the Days." The pop songs here tend to stick to ordinary guitar riffs, many of them acoustic-based -- a nice change of pace from the majority of light pop. Additionally, they are given some bells, organs and electronic flourishes.
Imbruglia's voice hasn't changed too much -- she still has that girlish Kylie-Minogue kind of voice. Not much of a range, but not unpleasant to the ear. She's able to carry off most of the songs here, though the writing descends to unpleasantly gooey in places. "You talk so much sense/when you're sleeping"? Adoring-the-sleeping-lover songs are overdone enough, without a line like that.
Expect a happier -- yet slightly insecure -- Natalie Imbruglia in "Counting Down the Days." Has several writing weaknesses, but a pleasant enough listen.
After getting married in 2003 to the Silverchair frontman, the Australian pop singer/actress seems much happier and more secure. The evidence: "Counting Down the Days," her third album. Apparently the child-voiced singer is no longer "Torn," as she was in her debut, but is now "Satisfied."
"Starting today/I'm not gonna waste another moment/Even if I had had the chance before/I would have blown it," she sings at the start of the album, over a simple, upbeat little pop tune that is half keyboard, half acoustic guitar. That note carries over to songs where she talks a lot about home, "falling apart together," and the loneliness of long-distance relationships.
Those songs give Imbruglia's music a more , not the sort of "I met a guy and I'm crazy about him" love songs. The exception is "Shiver," a catchy song obviously destined for singledom. "Cause I shiver/I just break up/When I'm near you/It all gets out of hand." Catchy, yet rather trite.
Not every song focuses on marital bliss, however. "Satisfied" exposes worries about the future: "This knot could come undone/no matter how we try to keep it tied," she sings over a deceptively perky pop backdrop. Well, I gotta admit, who likes an all-happy collection of love songs?
It must count for something that the producer for Blur and the Doves, Ben Hillier, did work on "Counting Down the Days." The pop songs here tend to stick to ordinary guitar riffs, many of them acoustic-based -- a nice change of pace from the majority of light pop. Additionally, they are given some bells, organs and electronic flourishes.
Imbruglia's voice hasn't changed too much -- she still has that girlish Kylie-Minogue kind of voice. Not much of a range, but not unpleasant to the ear. She's able to carry off most of the songs here, though the writing descends to unpleasantly gooey in places. "You talk so much sense/when you're sleeping"? Adoring-the-sleeping-lover songs are overdone enough, without a line like that.
Expect a happier -- yet slightly insecure -- Natalie Imbruglia in "Counting Down the Days." Has several writing weaknesses, but a pleasant enough listen.
That all changed this year when she returned with her third album "Counting Down The Days." It went straight to No.1 in its first week of release, and has brought Miss Imbruglia a whole new fanbase. I bought this album on a whim about two weeks ago, and was surprised to find that I really like it. It's nothing too complex (I look to Radiohead, Bjork and Tori Amos for that) and is basically just catchy pop music with traces of rock. Natalie has a distinctive voice which works well with the twelve songs on the album.
The album opens with the brilliant "Starting Today." This song is a short intro-type to open up the album and set the tone. It's a catchy, bright, life-affirming song that will grow on you by the second listen until you're humming along. "Shiver" is the album's first single and has gone on to become one of this year's biggest radio hits. This song is, yet again, a real grower and takes a while to impress you, but once it does you really can't stop singing to it. The video is also great and Natalie has never looked better. "Satisfied" is one of my favourite songs from the album and a contender for one of the singles to be released from the album. This song sounds like something Texas would do, because it has uplifting guitars and funky drum sections. Natalie's vocals are strong here and the lyrics sing a story about a love which cannot be complete because the guy is only just satisfied with what Natalie offers. "Counting Down The Days," the album's title track is slower than the other song's we've heard up until this point. It features a piano that builds the choruses up perfectly, until the drums kick in and work in harmony with Natalie's high voice. A great song that does take a while to grow on you.
"I Won't Be Lost" is another fantastic song and probably the best ballad on the album. The verses have a sort of lullaby style to them and Natalie's vocals are beautiful, especially on the section where she sings, "Don't let me go." This is a great summer song and one of those emotional break-up songs that you really understand because of the lyrics. "Slow Down" is another piece of catchy guitar pop that is rather mid-tempo in pace. The chorus is catchy but takes a few while to grow on you. The ending of the song is really beautiful though. "Sanctuary" is one of the fastest songs on the album and sounds a lot like Texas again. This is a great piece of power pop and has a catchy chorus where Natalie cries, "I wanna be your sanctuary, set you free, set you free!" The next song is "Perfectly," which I didn't really like to begin with, but I really like now. The chorus has a great build up, instigated by the drums. The lyrics are about a troubled relationship, and Natalie does that - arguably - better than any of her rival female rock/pop contemporaries.
"On The Run" is probably the darkest song on the album and features a haunting piano riff that will intimidate the listener. Natalie's vocals are very strong in this song as she sings about mental distress as she runs away from herself - again. It's a rather ambiguous song but works better because of this. "Come On Home" is a great mid-tempo song that has a real epic feeling to it. I think this song tries almost too hard to be Radiohead's "Airbag" with the stuttering guitars in the verses, but alas (and don't get annoyed) it's no where near as good as the Radiohead song. It still is a great piece of pop music, however, and has a great plodding drum beat all the way through it. "When You're Sleeping" is probably my least favourite song on the album, but it does have quite a lovely, relaxing feeling to it. As Natalie sings about the sun in the first verse, the violins create this feeling of a sun rising. The album closes with "Honeycomb Child," which is seen by many as a Bjork-esque type of track. I am a know-it-all on the music of Bjork, and I can confirm that this song does indeed resemble the Icelandic genius somewhat! This is set about by the violins, chimes and bells, but the lyrical content is just too 'normal' to be anything Bjork would record. This song is a real grower and one of my favourites on the album; it's very sparse and direct. A great closer.
OVERALL GRADE: 9/10
Natalie Imbruglia has made a great return to the music industry with this album and I think 2005 will hold even more success for her with the singles that she releases from this album. This album is one of those growers that doesn't sound very much to begin with. Infact, I thought a lot of these songs were just bland and insipid to begin with, but if you actually make the effort to like it, then I'm sure you'll see a whole new side to the music Natalie has worked so hard on over the past two years. A beautiful album from a beautiful woman!
Shiver: It has a classic tune. Slow at some points, witch doesn't make it a really good choice for a first single. It's not really that catchy. Video is fun though. It's a song you like to listen to on the radio but never really wonder who it is. 8/10
Satisfied: Written by Daniel Johns, not by Natalie. The song is okay. I don't like the build up chorus. It's definatly not one of my favs...6,5/10
Counting Down The Days: It's a bit between a slow song and a pop song. The chorus is nice and upbeat, but the start of the song is decieving. It gives the idea it's really a slow song. It's an average track on the album, I think. 7/10
I won't be lost: I think it's the best slow song Natalie ever made. It's just wonderfull the way she sings the chorus. Too slow to be a single, but definatly worth obtaining. 8,5/10
Slow Down: This is the point where she made a small mistake. I won't be lost is quite slow and Counting Down the days wasn't a really fast track either. She should have placed a faster track here, not the slowest. Slow Down is a good track though. I listened to the snipplet too much, again...7/10
Sanctuary: The catchiest track on the whole album I think. It's my favorite. I definatly think this will be a single. It's a mix of WLI, LOTM and CDTD(new style). Great song. 9,5/10
Perfectly: Again a great track. Will be made a single for sure. It's like Torn a lot but yet has the poppy-nes of Wrong impression. It will do great in the charts. I listened to the clip(snipplet), but it was bearly a difference. It just seems more acoustic because the snipplet was poor quality and had some noices on the background because of this. 9,5/10
On The Run: A song that really reminds me of smoke: The paino, her voice and the lyrics. 7/10
Come On Home: Written by someone else than Natalie. I think the chorus comes too early. She sings it with full power though and the instruments are good. 7,5/10
When you're sleeping: A nice track to listen to in the car. One of my favs. The opening of the song is very very classic and beautifull. 8,5/10
Honeycomb Child: I don't really like the toy sound at first, because I listened to it late at night and it kreeped my out. I grew on me and I like it very much now. But the song is still scary. Could easily be used in a horror movie cause of the scary tune. 7/10
Singles will be(what I think):
1. Shiver(as we all know)
2. Starting Today
3. Sanctuary
4. Perfectly
These are the best tracks aswell, including 'I won't be lost'.
to me, the points are this:
10: One of the best songs I know
9: I definatly will play these a lot
8: Impressive
7: Pretty good
6: Okay
5: Not so good
4: Horrible
I don't give lower points for a song. There are exceptions but never with Natalie(she remains above 6).
The Beautiful Australian Vocalist / Actress / Model's Third Album Arrives Almost Four Years after 2001's "White Lilies Island," which Debuted at No. 35 on the Billboard 200 Chart. Produced by Ben Hillier (Doves, Blur), Imbruglia Ventures Out to Stretch her Sound and Artistry with a Much More Layered, Mature Instrumental Backup and Remarkably Greater Confidence. Musical Guest Appearances on the Tracks Come from Silverchair's Daniel Johns and Faultline's David Kosten, who Co-wrote the Closing Track "Honeycomb Child."
Counting Down the Days,Natalie Imbruglia,Bmg Int'l,Adult Alternative Pop/Rock,Alternative Pop/Rock,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop,Singer/Songwriter
Average customer rating: 
|
Counting Down the Days
Natalie Imbruglia Manufacturer: Sony / Bmg Import ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD  General
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Singer-Songwriters
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Adult Alternative
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
Alternative Rock
| Imports
| Stores
| Music
Rock
| Imports
| Stores
| Music
Pop
| Imports
| Stores
| Music
Similar Items:
ASIN: B0007TF19Y Release Date: 2005-05-02 |
Tracks:
- Starting Today
- Shiver
- Satisfied
- Counting Down the Days
- I Won't Be Lost
- Slow Down
- Sanctuary
- Perfectly
- On the Run
- Come on Home
- When You're Sleeping
- Honeycomb Child
Album Details
The Beautiful Australian Vocalist / Actress / Model's Third Album Arrives Almost Four Years after 2001's "White Lilies Island," which Debuted at No. 35 on the Billboard 200 Chart. Produced by Ben Hillier (Doves, Blur), Imbruglia Ventures Out to Stretch her Sound and Artistry with a Much More Layered, Mature Instrumental Backup and Remarkably Greater Confidence. Musical Guest Appearances on the Tracks Come from Silverchair's Daniel Johns and Faultline's David Kosten, who Co-wrote the Closing Track "Honeycomb Child."Customer Reviews:
Counting Down The Days Is A Great CD!.......2007-07-03
A real gem from Natalie Imbruglia.......2007-06-15
All-time best female vocal pop performance? You find it right here (especially in 'On The Run').......2007-03-18
A Modest Return.......2007-03-16
Being a pianist, I tend to like music that is more keyboard based, however, not keyboard dominant - I still like everything in balance. What's disappointing for this reviewer is the lack of variety. Gone are the synths and taking front and center stage is the acoustic guitar. In fact, the dominance of the acoustic guitar is prevalent in almost every one of the twelve tracks on this album. I enjoy the guitar, but not on every song.
Another unfortunate aspect of the album is that its quite lack-luster. Just when you think a song is about to get going, it doesn't. The instrumentation changes little between verses, melodies are repetitive, and it tends to all sound the same, leaving the listener numb. Tracks 5 and 11 are quite boring; track 12, which could have been a cut from a late 1980's Sheena Easton album, opens with an incessant music box sound, which is quite irritating.
There are a few bright moments: the title track has very interesting chord progressions and build; Track 7, "Sanctuary," brings back the sound from her past two albums and has a verse that is in 6/4 time - it works, oddly enough; "On The Run" would not be my first choice for a single because of how dark it sounds, but it's very well written.
If you've purchased Natalie's previous two albums, you'll find that each one is quite different. It's almost as if she's not willing to get stuck in a "style," but is on a musical journey with a destiny that could lead her who knows where. That you have to admire; however, with different producers and song-writing contributors, it is this reviewer's opinion that the album failed to match the level of creativity that it's predecessor did. It seems that it will be one of those albums that you'll either really like or not. Listen to it and you be the judge.
Sucessful present.......2007-01-10
Average customer rating: 
|
Counting Down the Days
Sunfreakz , and Andrea Britton Manufacturer: Central Station ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Dance & DJ
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
ASIN: B000M06SYA Release Date: 2007-01-22 |
Tracks:
- Original Vocal Radio Edit
- Axwell Edit
- Flowr Power Edit
- Fonzerelli Rmx
- Stafford Brothers Mix
- Riding The Wave
- Axwell Remix
- Original Extended Vocal
- Flower Power Extended
Album Description
A definite anthem in ibiza this summer, this track is quickly becoming a global hit! With a massive Balearic anthem remix from one of Sweden's finest, Axwell that sits somewhere in between Rune "Calabria" and "Watch the Sunrise", this tune has already been tearing up dancefloors worldwide! Also on remix duty is Fonzerelli who turns in a big room reminiscent of his current hit 'Moonlight Party'. With massive DJ support already this is set to be one of this summers hottest tunes.Album Details
A Definite Anthem in Ibiza, this Track is Quickly Becoming a Global Hit! with a Massive Balearic Anthem Remix from One of Sweden's Fi Nest, Axwell, this Tune Has Already Been Tearing Up Dance Floors Worldwide. Also on Remix Duty is Fonzerelli who Turns in a Big Room Reminiscent of his Current Hit `moonlight Party'. With Massive DJ Support Already this is Set to Be One of this Summer's Hottest Tunes.
Average customer rating:
|
Counting Down the Days
Natalie Imbruglia Manufacturer: Bmg ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
ASIN: B000A6JM0S Release Date: 2005-07-26 |
Tracks:
- Counting Down The Days
- What's The Good In Goodbye
- Counting Down The Days (Video)
Album Description
This is the 2nd single lifted from her third album of the same name. This edition features the title track backed with 'What's The Good In Goodbye' & the video. Brightside. 2005.Album Details
2005 Release of the Title Track of Imbruglia's "Counting Down the Days" Includes an Exclusive B-side Track " What's the Good in Goodbye" as Well as the Enhanced Video.
Average customer rating:
|
Counting Down the Days
Natalie Imbruglia Manufacturer: Bmg ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Singer-Songwriters
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Adult Alternative
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Pop
| Imports
| Stores
| Music
ASIN: B0007YH6AG Release Date: 2005-04-11 |
Tracks:
- Starting Today
- Shiver
- Satisfied
- Counting Down the Days
- I Won't Be Lost
- Slow Down
- Sanctuary
- Perfectly
- On the Run
- Come on Home
- When You're Sleeping
- Honeycomb Child
Customer Reviews:
Counting down to this.......2005-07-13
After getting married in 2003 to the Silverchair frontman, the Australian pop singer/actress seems much happier and more secure. The evidence: "Counting Down the Days," her third album. Apparently the child-voiced singer is no longer "Torn," as she was in her debut, but is now "Satisfied."
"Starting today/I'm not gonna waste another moment/Even if I had had the chance before/I would have blown it," she sings at the start of the album, over a simple, upbeat little pop tune that is half keyboard, half acoustic guitar. That note carries over to songs where she talks a lot about home, "falling apart together," and the loneliness of long-distance relationships.
Those songs give Imbruglia's music a more , not the sort of "I met a guy and I'm crazy about him" love songs. The exception is "Shiver," a catchy song obviously destined for singledom. "Cause I shiver/I just break up/When I'm near you/It all gets out of hand." Catchy, yet rather trite.
Not every song focuses on marital bliss, however. "Satisfied" exposes worries about the future: "This knot could come undone/no matter how we try to keep it tied," she sings over a deceptively perky pop backdrop. Well, I gotta admit, who likes an all-happy collection of love songs?
It must count for something that the producer for Blur and the Doves, Ben Hillier, did work on "Counting Down the Days." The pop songs here tend to stick to ordinary guitar riffs, many of them acoustic-based -- a nice change of pace from the majority of light pop. Additionally, they are given some bells, organs and electronic flourishes.
Imbruglia's voice hasn't changed too much -- she still has that girlish Kylie-Minogue kind of voice. Not much of a range, but not unpleasant to the ear. She's able to carry off most of the songs here, though the writing descends to unpleasantly gooey in places. "You talk so much sense/when you're sleeping"? Adoring-the-sleeping-lover songs are overdone enough, without a line like that.
Expect a happier -- yet slightly insecure -- Natalie Imbruglia in "Counting Down the Days." Has several writing weaknesses, but a pleasant enough listen.
Average customer rating:
|
Counting Down the Days
Natalie Imbruglia Manufacturer: Brightside ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
Australia & New Zealand
| International
| Styles
| Music
Singer-Songwriters
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Adult Alternative
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
Rock
| Imports
| Stores
| Music
ASIN: B000ALJ08W Release Date: 2005-10-03 |
Tracks:
- Starting Today
- Shiver
- Satisfied
- Counting Down the Days
- I Won't Be Lost
- Slow Down
- Sanctuary
- Perfectly
- On the Run
- Come on Home
- When You're Sleeping
- Honeycomb Child
Album Description
Japanese pressing. The beautiful Australian vocalist / actress / model's third album arrives almost 4 years after 2001's White Lilies Island, which debuted at No. 35 on The Billboard 200 chart. Produced by Ben Hillier (Doves, Blur), Imbruglia ventures out to stretch her sound and artistry with a much more layered, mature instrumental backup and remarkably greater confidence. Musical guest appearances on the tracks come from Silverchair's Daniel Johns and Faultline's David Kosten, who co-wrote the track 'Honeycomb Child'. BMG. 2005.
Average customer rating:
|
Counting Down the Days to Yesterday
Everyword Manufacturer: Everyword ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000PKJAP6 |
Product Description
6 Songs.
Average customer rating:
|
Counting Down the Days
Natalie Imbruglia Manufacturer: Sony Bmg ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
ASIN: B0009YGD4E Release Date: 2005-08-09 |
Tracks:
- Counting The Days
- Only You
Album Details
2005 Release of the Title Track of Imbruglia's "Counting Down the Days" Includes an Exclusive B-side Track "Only You".
Average customer rating:
|
Counting Down the Days
ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
ASIN: B000GG4UVI Release Date: 2005-06-14 |
Average customer rating: 
|
Counting Down the Days
Natalie Imbruglia ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
Australia & New Zealand
| International
| Styles
| Music
Singer-Songwriters
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Adult Alternative
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
Rock
| Imports
| Stores
| Music
ASIN: B0007WAEA2 Release Date: 2005-04-26 |
Tracks:
- Starting Today
- Shiver
- Satisfied
- Counting Down the Days
- I Won't Be Lost
- Slow Down
- Sanctuary
- Perfectly
- On the Run
- Come on Home
- When You're Sleeping
- Honeycomb Child
Album Description
Japanese edition of third album from the antipodean beauty believes her new disc Counting Down the Days completely encapsulates her upbeat mood, which she attributes to the Silverchair front man whom she married in 2003 after a four-year courtship. The three-year recording session is in marked contrast to her second album, White Lilies Island, which was released in 2001 and heavily influenced by the deep depression she was suffering from. She says, "My new album, which Dan and I worked on together, is proof that I'm in a good place. "The songs refer to Dan because he's been at the forefront of my mind during the three-year recording process. And this is evidence of how happy I've been - and remain. It's all uplifting music." Includes the first single, 'Shiver'. Sony/BMG. 2005.Customer Reviews:
Counting down to this.......2005-11-09
After getting married in 2003 to the Silverchair frontman, the Australian pop singer/actress seems much happier and more secure. The evidence: "Counting Down the Days," her third album. Apparently the child-voiced singer is no longer "Torn," as she was in her debut, but is now "Satisfied."
"Starting today/I'm not gonna waste another moment/Even if I had had the chance before/I would have blown it," she sings at the start of the album, over a simple, upbeat little pop tune that is half keyboard, half acoustic guitar. That note carries over to songs where she talks a lot about home, "falling apart together," and the loneliness of long-distance relationships.
Those songs give Imbruglia's music a more , not the sort of "I met a guy and I'm crazy about him" love songs. The exception is "Shiver," a catchy song obviously destined for singledom. "Cause I shiver/I just break up/When I'm near you/It all gets out of hand." Catchy, yet rather trite.
Not every song focuses on marital bliss, however. "Satisfied" exposes worries about the future: "This knot could come undone/no matter how we try to keep it tied," she sings over a deceptively perky pop backdrop. Well, I gotta admit, who likes an all-happy collection of love songs?
It must count for something that the producer for Blur and the Doves, Ben Hillier, did work on "Counting Down the Days." The pop songs here tend to stick to ordinary guitar riffs, many of them acoustic-based -- a nice change of pace from the majority of light pop. Additionally, they are given some bells, organs and electronic flourishes.
Imbruglia's voice hasn't changed too much -- she still has that girlish Kylie-Minogue kind of voice. Not much of a range, but not unpleasant to the ear. She's able to carry off most of the songs here, though the writing descends to unpleasantly gooey in places. "You talk so much sense/when you're sleeping"? Adoring-the-sleeping-lover songs are overdone enough, without a line like that.
Expect a happier -- yet slightly insecure -- Natalie Imbruglia in "Counting Down the Days." Has several writing weaknesses, but a pleasant enough listen.
A Welcome Return From Natalie!.......2005-05-02
That all changed this year when she returned with her third album "Counting Down The Days." It went straight to No.1 in its first week of release, and has brought Miss Imbruglia a whole new fanbase. I bought this album on a whim about two weeks ago, and was surprised to find that I really like it. It's nothing too complex (I look to Radiohead, Bjork and Tori Amos for that) and is basically just catchy pop music with traces of rock. Natalie has a distinctive voice which works well with the twelve songs on the album.
The album opens with the brilliant "Starting Today." This song is a short intro-type to open up the album and set the tone. It's a catchy, bright, life-affirming song that will grow on you by the second listen until you're humming along. "Shiver" is the album's first single and has gone on to become one of this year's biggest radio hits. This song is, yet again, a real grower and takes a while to impress you, but once it does you really can't stop singing to it. The video is also great and Natalie has never looked better. "Satisfied" is one of my favourite songs from the album and a contender for one of the singles to be released from the album. This song sounds like something Texas would do, because it has uplifting guitars and funky drum sections. Natalie's vocals are strong here and the lyrics sing a story about a love which cannot be complete because the guy is only just satisfied with what Natalie offers. "Counting Down The Days," the album's title track is slower than the other song's we've heard up until this point. It features a piano that builds the choruses up perfectly, until the drums kick in and work in harmony with Natalie's high voice. A great song that does take a while to grow on you.
"I Won't Be Lost" is another fantastic song and probably the best ballad on the album. The verses have a sort of lullaby style to them and Natalie's vocals are beautiful, especially on the section where she sings, "Don't let me go." This is a great summer song and one of those emotional break-up songs that you really understand because of the lyrics. "Slow Down" is another piece of catchy guitar pop that is rather mid-tempo in pace. The chorus is catchy but takes a few while to grow on you. The ending of the song is really beautiful though. "Sanctuary" is one of the fastest songs on the album and sounds a lot like Texas again. This is a great piece of power pop and has a catchy chorus where Natalie cries, "I wanna be your sanctuary, set you free, set you free!" The next song is "Perfectly," which I didn't really like to begin with, but I really like now. The chorus has a great build up, instigated by the drums. The lyrics are about a troubled relationship, and Natalie does that - arguably - better than any of her rival female rock/pop contemporaries.
"On The Run" is probably the darkest song on the album and features a haunting piano riff that will intimidate the listener. Natalie's vocals are very strong in this song as she sings about mental distress as she runs away from herself - again. It's a rather ambiguous song but works better because of this. "Come On Home" is a great mid-tempo song that has a real epic feeling to it. I think this song tries almost too hard to be Radiohead's "Airbag" with the stuttering guitars in the verses, but alas (and don't get annoyed) it's no where near as good as the Radiohead song. It still is a great piece of pop music, however, and has a great plodding drum beat all the way through it. "When You're Sleeping" is probably my least favourite song on the album, but it does have quite a lovely, relaxing feeling to it. As Natalie sings about the sun in the first verse, the violins create this feeling of a sun rising. The album closes with "Honeycomb Child," which is seen by many as a Bjork-esque type of track. I am a know-it-all on the music of Bjork, and I can confirm that this song does indeed resemble the Icelandic genius somewhat! This is set about by the violins, chimes and bells, but the lyrical content is just too 'normal' to be anything Bjork would record. This song is a real grower and one of my favourites on the album; it's very sparse and direct. A great closer.
OVERALL GRADE: 9/10
Natalie Imbruglia has made a great return to the music industry with this album and I think 2005 will hold even more success for her with the singles that she releases from this album. This album is one of those growers that doesn't sound very much to begin with. Infact, I thought a lot of these songs were just bland and insipid to begin with, but if you actually make the effort to like it, then I'm sure you'll see a whole new side to the music Natalie has worked so hard on over the past two years. A beautiful album from a beautiful woman!
Natalie is back with her best work ever.......2005-04-02
Shiver: It has a classic tune. Slow at some points, witch doesn't make it a really good choice for a first single. It's not really that catchy. Video is fun though. It's a song you like to listen to on the radio but never really wonder who it is. 8/10
Satisfied: Written by Daniel Johns, not by Natalie. The song is okay. I don't like the build up chorus. It's definatly not one of my favs...6,5/10
Counting Down The Days: It's a bit between a slow song and a pop song. The chorus is nice and upbeat, but the start of the song is decieving. It gives the idea it's really a slow song. It's an average track on the album, I think. 7/10
I won't be lost: I think it's the best slow song Natalie ever made. It's just wonderfull the way she sings the chorus. Too slow to be a single, but definatly worth obtaining. 8,5/10
Slow Down: This is the point where she made a small mistake. I won't be lost is quite slow and Counting Down the days wasn't a really fast track either. She should have placed a faster track here, not the slowest. Slow Down is a good track though. I listened to the snipplet too much, again...7/10
Sanctuary: The catchiest track on the whole album I think. It's my favorite. I definatly think this will be a single. It's a mix of WLI, LOTM and CDTD(new style). Great song. 9,5/10
Perfectly: Again a great track. Will be made a single for sure. It's like Torn a lot but yet has the poppy-nes of Wrong impression. It will do great in the charts. I listened to the clip(snipplet), but it was bearly a difference. It just seems more acoustic because the snipplet was poor quality and had some noices on the background because of this. 9,5/10
On The Run: A song that really reminds me of smoke: The paino, her voice and the lyrics. 7/10
Come On Home: Written by someone else than Natalie. I think the chorus comes too early. She sings it with full power though and the instruments are good. 7,5/10
When you're sleeping: A nice track to listen to in the car. One of my favs. The opening of the song is very very classic and beautifull. 8,5/10
Honeycomb Child: I don't really like the toy sound at first, because I listened to it late at night and it kreeped my out. I grew on me and I like it very much now. But the song is still scary. Could easily be used in a horror movie cause of the scary tune. 7/10
Singles will be(what I think):
1. Shiver(as we all know)
2. Starting Today
3. Sanctuary
4. Perfectly
These are the best tracks aswell, including 'I won't be lost'.
to me, the points are this:
10: One of the best songs I know
9: I definatly will play these a lot
8: Impressive
7: Pretty good
6: Okay
5: Not so good
4: Horrible
I don't give lower points for a song. There are exceptions but never with Natalie(she remains above 6).
Average customer rating:
|
Counting Down The Days
Jonah's Road ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000REODKC |
Product Description
1 Someone Like You 2 Counting Down the Days 3 Don't Look Back 4 Long Gone 5 All Mine 6 I'll Find You 7 I'm Still Here 8 Thank God 9 Tequila & Wine 10 Why Does She Love Me 11 Staying Here Tonight 12 Time Before 13 Back to You 14 Giddy UpMeditation Music:
- Discover a Lovelier You
- Disneymania
- Forever Young
- Free Me
- Greatest Hits: My Prerogative (Limited Edition with Bonus CD) [Limited Edition]
- Happy Together: The Very Best of The Turtles [Original recording remastered]
- Harmonium [Enhanced]
- Have A Nice Decade: The '70s Pop Culture Box [Box set]
- Heart And Soul: New Songs From Ally McBeal Featuring Vonda Shepard (Television Series) [Soundtrack]
- Here I Am [Live]
Meditation Music
Mood Impressions & Reminscences Op 57 Part 1
John Corigliano - Of Rage and Remembrance ~ Symphony No.1
Moanin [Original recording remastered] [Import]
Latin Music: 14 Corridos Fregones