Borrowed Heaven

by

The Corrs

Edit

I bought "Borrowed Heaven" just few days after its release. I must say that I was quite afraid of the style of music they were going to bring after In Blue. Fortunatelly, The Corrs woke from poppy "Mutt" slumber. Their 2004 album is a try to return to the beloved Talk On Corners style... even though more modern, more electronic, more rocky, more... hard, maybe? There is quite enough of Irish elements, probably the most that the radio stations allow in the air. Their music sounds as the music of professional musicians of sure quality you can expect anytime. Anyway, even though the album is great, I cannot rate it with five stars... the reason is that I miss the spirit of Forgiven, Not Forgotten or MTV Unplugged... I'm sorry... But the CD is and will be for sure one of the ones I like to put into my stereo often - because of its lightness, freshness and optimism...

Songs review

Summer Sunshine - the first single, the leading song which also carries the name of the album in its lyrics. When I heard it for the first time, I was quite disappointed, but when I was listening to it more, I started to like it so, and what's more, it led me to arrange and play it on the piano... It has wonderful lyrics telling about the need of presence of someone who keeps you warm during winter - winter as a season and winter also as the darkness in your life... (9/10)

Angel - a folk-rocky song dedicated to their mum that makes you sing and dance and if not dance, just wristle on the chair in the office :) The lyrics are very touching, too. I cannot say if I like Summer Sunshine or this song more... (9/10)

Hideway - a song which reminds me Say by its sound a lot. It is done well, mostly the guitar solo... but just this song is the example of how can I miss some spirit inside... (6,5/10)

Long Night - a masterpiece! A hounting, impressive song about love, sung with the deepest feelings. The instrumental interludes are excellent, it is incredible how the simple theme can be varied. They are growing step by step and I always feel freezing in my back while listening to it... But I cannot listen to it always, e.g. as to Summer Sunshine or Angel which are easier - it has to be a special occasion... (9,5/10)

Goodbye - I don't know why, but I like only the chorus of this song. The beginning is too sweet and when Andrea sings "why-ay-ay-ay-ii" in the end, it doesn't fit me neither... (5,5/10)

Time Enough For Tears - one coverversion on the album, but for me it didn't need to be there. Even though it is a ballad, I consider it boring, too slow, making me sleep, pulling like a chewing gum and I don't like Andrea's voice set up too high sounding me very unnatural. Probably the only track I always skip during playing this CD... (3,5/10)

Humdrum - a modern song beginning with scratches typical for hip-hop growing into a typical Irish instrumental solo. It tells an every-day life of a married woman - well, wasn't it Caroline whom the lyrics came from? "Baby's crying louder than me..." - who else could write about baby? Anyway, I have nothing against this song, but it isn't my leader neither... (7/10)

Even If - lyrics made me breathless! Really! They are telling about a true love finally found. "As I grew up I was terrified of darkness, now you're around I've no reason to be frightened..." - as it was about me! It is very optimistic and it says what I always say - that your lover must be your friend and sunny firstly... :-) Just my personal opinion that the end is being repeating too much decreased my rating a bit... (8/10)

Borrowed Heaven - one of the songs which are just not for easy listening, because it carries words of prayer inside. It tells about a world that can fade away in a minute oppose to the eternity, it tells about God who holds our lives in His hands. The song is wonderful in the end, when the South African group Ladysmith Black Mambazo joins - I see a simple message inside - that God is the one for us all and the difference is just how we call Him... (8,5/10)

Confidence For Quiet - this is a song that could be sung by Alanis Morissette without any problem:-) It is straight and quite hard. When I hear the part "Not anymore, I don't feel it, I'm not hopeless, tragic..." I always imagine Andrea jumping on the bed tearing a pillow and feathers flying around:-) (8/10)

Baby Be Brave - the best song of the album with typical Corrish sound, haunting and touching - both melody and lyrics. It tells about a life lived pretending to be someone else and fearing of having the weaknesses discovered once. The melody is arranged incredibly well, I could imagine it also with strong strings attached. Sharon did another perfect violin solo... as she always does, anyway:-) When singing "Confide in me, tell your story..." it carries a bit of mystery and many of questions never to be answered inside... (10/10)

Silver Strand - an obligatory instrumental theme closing the collection of dozen songs. I cannot understand myself as I'm a musician and lover of instrumental music... but the song doesn't bring me anything, even though it is well done and I have nothing to critize... Understand? (7/10)

Music is such a matter of personal taste. It's very challenging to write a negative review about a band I really like and to be fair. But, I'm going to try.

It was with much anticipation that I bought my copy of "Borrowed Heaven." I have three other recordings of The Corrs that I absolutely adore. When my copy of BH arrived, I immediately imported it into iTunes so I'd have it available on my iPod and at the office, as well as at the home computer.

I listened to the songs a few times and then set BH aside. To be fair, I listened to it again early this morning. I decided to remove the recording from my iPod to save space for other works and I'm tempted to sell my copy of the disc. I'm quite disappointed for I had higher expectations from one of my favorite musical groups.

The musicianship, vocal wonder, execution, and recording quality are all there. I expect no less from a group as professional and successful as The Corrs. But the song quality is what is lacking. The songs sound a bit forced, both musically and lyrically. The songs on BH are nowhere near as strong as those on "In Blue" or "Standing on Corners." The songs on BH do not have the emotional or intellectual movement of those from The Corrs' prior releases.

That's not to say BH is a bad or poor recording. Perhaps BH represents a change of direction for The Corrs as they continue to grow as musicians and writers. Or there might have been pressure to produce a recording before they were really ready. Regardless, it is my opinion that BH is not their strongest work and therefore I'll give it three stars.

I just noticed they have a new recording just out. My hopes are again raised because The Corrs remains one of my favorite pop groups. Their combination of excellent groove, wonderful vocals, and outstanding musicianship can be exhilarating in a musical world of mediocrity. I think they remain one of the under-rated groups in the U.S. and that is a shame, because they are really that good.