Tasmin Archer
Great Expectations

THE REVIEW

After spending an entire life trying to vent the anger and frustration typical of someone who can't fully express their emotions through the power and sonic violence of metal, and after indulging myself voluntarily, almost masochistically and intentionally seeking pessimistic sensations, on the notes of the most twilight darkwave, the other day in the car, while getting ready for the daily choice of CD to put in the player, I realized that, at that moment, I had had enough.

"I feel like something light," I thought, but in the CD holder, I had none of this. My momentary sense of dissatisfaction was fortunately filled by listening to a classic easy-listening song that hit just the right spot.

"I blame you
for the moonlit sky
and the dream that die
with the eagles flight,
I blame you
for the moonlit nights
when I wonder sky
are the seas still dry?"

The catchy and engaging chorus of "Sleeping Satellite" introduced me to Tasmin Archer, an English singer of color with a warm yet melodious voice, who reached success in the UK and the rest of Europe thanks to this song. A singer endowed with great talent but who, however, wasn’t able to replicate the fame gained with the debut album, titled "Great Expectations," released in the distant 1992. In short, one of the many meteors that appeared in the musical firmament.

A real shame because "Great Expectations," is a great pop-soul album, full of melodic songs that are easily assimilable to the point of humming them unconsciously right after listening. Sure, it's nothing extremely original, but in any case, it’s the right album to listen to as a perfect soundtrack for a relaxing break or as a companion for some task that doesn’t require particular effort.

I particularly point out, besides the already mentioned "Sleeping Satellite", the following "Arienne", the almost country "Lords of The New Church", where it almost seems as if you hear a sweeter and less baritone Tracy Chapman, the pop-rock of "Steel Town", the rhythmic "Somebody's Daughter" and the intensity of "Hero".

In short, those who are tired of enduring yet another "...my name is Lucifer, please take my hand" or "...sport the war, war support, the sport is war, total war", and who do not want to surrender to the decadence and spiritual sadness of "Black, black planet, black world" or "Your mornings will be brighter, break the line, tear up rules, make the most of a million times no", can find the warmth, positivity, and lightness they need in "Great Expectations".

While you do all this, I'll go back to listening to Katatonia and Christian Death.