Customer Reviews

Trailer Park

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Orton has this deep, breezy, husky, sexy voice that she rolls into different octaves and she uses it with power on each and every one of her tracks. Trailer Park is probably her best offering to date; its beautiful tone and perfectly crafted songs are reminiscent of a type of more subdued, depressed Joni Mitchell character. She's got it, she flaunts it. An overlooked singer and songwriter, Orton demonstrates that she has chops, talent and scads of cred. One of the best songs on a great album is the haunting, deep, airy, creepy 'She Cries Your Name'. In the latter when Beth coos, "how long can this love remain?" you believe her with a passion, and aiding in her quest to find the answer are beautiful guitars, and cello and violin accompaniment. With songs like this, who needs chocolate or sex?

After seeing Beth Orton live at Field Day I was impressed by her accoustic solo music, as well as her lively personality. I was so excited to buy this cd based on what I had heard, but was dissapointed when I received it. Very little of the folkish guitar work that I had fell in love with was audible on the CD, and Orton over-layers her work with poppy base and drums. At some points on this CD she reminds me of radiohead (faintly) or Beck (especially on "tangent"), and at times delivers the folk feel that I found so appealing, but for the most part comes off as poppy and frankly, boring. Though this CD is certainly worth buying for tracks 1-3 and 10 and 11, it lacks replay value.

Perhaps I am being overly critical because I had such high expectations for Beth. I would reccomend buying this CD, however, see her live. She is a great musician and a charming personality.

This album always gets hyped as folk meets trip hop, which superficially sounds like an interesting meld. The truth of it is, however, that the "hop" never comes, and all you're left with is a long, slow trip into tired folk. Beth's vocals, during the very few seconds she manages to perk up, have a similarity to Carol King. Some might view that as a recommendation. The unobtrusive atmospherics make this pleasant-enough as background noise for when you're doing something like reading, but if you're doing something more active (like, say, washing the dishes) you might want a less somnambulant soundtrack.

A lot of bizarre labels have been attached to the music of Beth Orton: Folk and rock, to be sure, but also trip hop, beat hop, treat beat, beat bop, seat crop, and lounge. It doesn't matter that i made up half of those words just now, and it doesn't matter that you even try to put Beth Orton into some tidy little pigeon hole, because her music is impossible to nail down. What is Beth Orton's music? It's beautiful, soulful, witty, heartbreaking, and damned near perfect. She's not the next anyone. She's the first Beth Orton.

Started with Daybreaker and worked my way backward through Central Reservation and just received Trailer Park. All three are excellent.

All three are different and unique in their own way. I think that Beth's voice is clearer and less edgy on Trailer Park than her later work which is a very pleasant surprise as the lyrics - which are excellent - can be understood. In some ways this CD reminds me more of Daybreaker than CR as both span alot of musical territory from straight acoustic guitar to orchestral movements.

There are few artists that I can honestly say that I take great pleasure in all of their CD's, Beth is one. Yeah I know I haven't mentioned "Best Bits" which I have also received but have not really listened to - but this is a remarkable string of CD's.

There are those who simply do not like Beth's voice and those who don't want to spend the energy to listen to music that is better with active brain activity. That means that you really have to listen to the music to really get what Beth is doing - it really is not suited to backround music. If you don't fall into either category you will more than likely fall in love with Beth like I have.

I sometimes take a while to find amazing musicians but when I do I fall in love. Beth Orton is one of those artists. She has such a unique voice and I love that so much. This cd is a little mixture of all kinds of genres but it makes a whole different style altogether. If you like Fiona Apple I'm sure you'll love her.

I got Trailer Park when it was first released in the late 90's and waited for it to take off. It never really did. Then her next album, Central Reservation was released and again I waited...and again not much response. While Beth has a large loyal following, it is nowhere near the following she deserves. She is a talented songwriter with a wonderfully distinct voice. I really like a number of the songs on the album, but I especially like "She Cries Your Name" and "I Wish I Never Saw The Sunshine". If you are deciding between this and Central Reservation as your introduction to Beth Orton, I actually like this album better. On the other album, the song "Central Reservation" is a great song and got some air play and some dance remixes got some play, but I think overall this album has stronger songs. (Don't let the Dance Remix comment throw you...Beth's music is mellow ballads and funky songs. She is not Madonna, she is much more Indigo Girls and The Story.)

Beth Orton can take you on an thoughtful and calming trip where the words and the music are equally important. Her songs are made up of laid-back acoustic guitar blended with trip hop beats and gentle bass rhytyms that lend a different view to the folk genre. Its a fusion of folk and electronica that works because of Orton's voice which is charming and striking to say the least. While firm and commanding, it betrays a little vulnerability and naivety that seems to be a staple of folk music. "Trailer Park" is enjoyable, even if it's a little too light and easy-going, it should get more than a few spins in anyones stereo. Recommended.

I originally gave this record three stars and wrote "Can't believe people thought this was somehow innovative. The songs are clunky and poorly produced. Orbit isn't much of a producer for Orton, and her songs are slipshod at best. Avoid this unless you want a very poor man's version of mediocre Suzanne Vega. Why not go buy the real deal instead?" I take it back. I listened to it a few more times and it gets under your skin.

Once in a great while, an album comes along that transcends musical genres such as pop, folk or electronica and instead creates a wholly original sound from a unique blend of styles... Trailer Park is such an album. Beautifully crafted songs, awash in acoustic guitar and subtle electronic beats, counterpointed by Miss Orton's stunning voice. Trailer Park is the rare album that exists as a whole, possessing singular songs, yet best enjoyed in it's entirety...perchance on a moonlit balcony with cocktail in hand (personal preference). There is an interesting and bittersweet interplay throughout between the bright melodies and Orton's soul searching and jilted lyrics. Anyone who has ever had their heart broken will find a kindred spirit in "I Wish I Never Saw the Sunshine", a last tear-smudged kiss on the cheek before the haunting fade out of "Galaxy of Emptiness". Trailer Park is rare indeed in the current climate of pre-packaged, glossy pop music excess; a warm, engaging work that begs repeated listening, and comforts like an old friend on a rainy day.