Track Listing

1. Don't Give It Up
2. So You Say
3. There's A Place
4. Sometimes
5. 12 Bar Acid Blues
6. Make It Right
7. Coming Up For Air
8. Goldfish
9. Medevac
10. Halcyon Days
11. Ghosts

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #26946 in Music
• Released on: 2007-06-25
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
Siobhan Donaghy probably imagined she'd get some decent mileage out of being an ex-Sugababe -- little did she know that her sort would soon become about as commonplace as the tears of an X-Factor reject clown. And after an underperforming debut album (Revolution In Me), she might seem about as likely to succeed. But that would indeed be a cruel and ill-fitting fate to befall such a dreamy-toned red-haired delight. Her muted elegance was always the foil to the sultry sass manufactured at the Sugababes' core, and on her second solo album Siobhan Donaghy allows that quality to mature yet further, finding a taste of the accomplishment that perhaps evaded her previously. Adopting a pitch somewhere between the sumptuous nonchalance of her former band and All Saints, and the full-bodied grown-up pop of Texas or, at her best, The Sundays Ghosts finds strength in its own comforts. Its range is narrow but assured, never punching above its weight, firmly hitting its targets. And though steady and mid-paced it enjoys a perky production standard giving it a tight modern sheen that holds its head above the water. The hypnotising single 'Don't Give It Up' and sun-kissed cloud-skipping ethereality of 'Sometimes' exemplify this best. --James Berry

CD Description
Sophomore album from ex-Sugababe sees her continue to move away from the manufactured pop of her former band and further into the indie-pop territory she explored on her 2003 debut 'Revolution In Me'. Languid and louche, at times dark and eerie, the album has been roundly praised and has seen her compared to giants such as Kate Bush, The Cocteau Twins, Massive Attack, Texas, Madonna and The Sundays. Produced by NeilSanger (Keane), it includes the single 'Don't Give It Up'.

Customer Reviews

Integrity wins through
We are a strange breed. In one breath we laud the likes of Ms Winehouse for her brilliant, yet pastiche-esque qualities, and offer her awards and plaudits aplenty. In the other, we pull apart anyone who dare homage Bush and Frazer. Give the girl a break.

Siobhan has been clearly influenced by both Kate Bush and Cocteau Twins/Elizabeth Frazer on many of the tracks here. And why not? Both are pioneers in their own right. However, let's face it, neither are in the habit of producing in abundance recently, and Kate's Aerial was the complete spectrum from mediocrity to brilliance. Why shouldn't we welcome someone who has a clear vision of what kind of sound she wants to produce, to the almost to annoyance of Simon Cowell money-maker record company boss types? That sound, on this occasion, happens to be up in the clouds. Hats off to Parlephone for allowing her the artistic freedom.

This record is accomplished. Don't give it up deserved more success that it got, if we are to measure success by chart placing. I fear that it is indicative of the kind trash that our youth weaned on. Those that see beyond the manufactured pop fodder and buy this work will be rewarded with several tracks that are a joy to hear. The Massive Attack - Teardrop influenced `Halcyon Days' has to be the high point. OK, the purists may not like it, but with sampling endemic in the music industry, it's hard to know what it original and what isn't these days. So why knock an homage?

The title track is a reminder to the times when you had to make up your own lyrics to any Cocteau Twins track. Its reversed lyrics work very well in the context of the music, and for those with 20-odd years of Liz Fraser-lyric-making-up experience, it is very easy to take this track on board.

On the whole, Siobhan Donaghy has worked hard to demonstrate that X-factor crapola is not the only genre that works commercially. Getting it past the untrained ear of the masses will be they key to success.

From a purist perspective, one should baulk at the bare-face cheek of daring to homage/pastiche/plainly rip-off the likes of the above artists. Don't. Just think of the other rubbish you could be listening to.

The only song that doesn't really fit with the flow is 12 Bar Acid Blues. That said, it does grow. Anyone expecting immediate hooks is going to be disappointed. This, as with many of the high quality end purveyors, takes time to imbibe. But it works, and it works well. Also, let's not forget that she is still only 22. There's maturity here well beyond her years.

Let's applaud an apparent two-fingers to conformity. Purchase, find a shady knoll in the broken sun, and take in one of this years better releases.

Note: not a single use of the word that might describe the fumes one gets when opening a bottle of ether.

Stunning
I've read reviews of the album criticizing it for being influenced by acts such as Kate Bush, Massive Attack, Cocteau Twins, and Madonna.
It's true, there is a clear influence from the above bands. But Siobhan makes her music completely her own. Besides, what's wrong with being influenced by other musicians that are very talented? Everyone compares Amy Winehouse to soul singers of the past, yet no one insults her for that.

With that being said, onto the album...

This is one amazing album. It's very unique and has an ethereal, epic sound, sometimes being a bit strange. But at their core, the songs are very pop-friendly, which shows that pop doesn't have to be terrible like so much of today's music.
Siobhan has a great voice; pure, powerful, but she doesn't overdo it. Her lyrics are also quite thoughtful and intelligent.
Standout tracks are: Don't Give It Up, So You Say, Coming Up For Air, Goldfish, Medevac, Halcyon Days, and Ghosts. But the rest of the tracks on the album are also fantastic; there's no filler here.

Just one more thought: Many people say that the song Halcyon Days is a copy of Teardrop by Massive Attack. Now personally, I don't find the two songs to be similar at all. Sure, they both use a bit of Harpsichord and have a similar tempo, but that is where the similarities end. The two songs have completely different moods, lyrics, vocal sounds, and instrumentation.

OVERALL:
5/5
Buy it as soon as you can to support her.

Have The Promo, Not A Single Bad Track On There!
After recievin the promo, i was immediately blown away. I bought her first solo album 'Revolution In Me' when it originally came out and loved that also. But 'Ghosts' has progressed from that into, yes more mature, but also a wholey differently produced album, with james sanger on the production also the album has an eeriely beautiful feel to alot of the tracks. As soon as the album starts of with Don't Give It Up, with Siobhans vocals drifting over eerie riffs and beats its sounds like sorcery to the ears. The second single to come off the album, So You Say, is also breathaking, and after seeing the video for this also, i really think this one will bring Siobhan into the publics eye. Other gems on the album are the amazing and beautiful Coming Up For Air, with its amazing bassy breakdown and heartfelt lyrics. Medevac is probably the album little treasure, so different and diverse, yet so catchy. Sometimes is a pure pop marvel, and hopefully the third single off the album. Goldfish has to be my favourite on the whole album though, it is utterly fantastic, the production and whole sound of this track is amazin, not heard such a great track in a long time. Tracks such as Make It Right, 12 Bar Acid Blues, There's A Place and Halcyon Days make the album worthwile too, with the same style and lyrics. The title track Ghosts, is a masterpiece also, with backward production trickery and cool mixing effects its a song you want to listen to, to find out what its all about. Overall the album is sublime, buy it now!