Dido - Life for Rent +Album Reviews

An album WORTH buying

MusicFanofKC | 03/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dido's first album captured my ears, I've seen her in concert three times, and have an autographed poster of her up in my room for the past years. I bought "Life For Rent" the day it was released. The album is just as excellent as the first if not better. Her lyrics are captive with many a person can related to, and her words are passionate as well. Her beautiful voice is amazing and one of a kind. 1- White Flag - (4.5/5) 1st single off the record, great song to start off the album. This song is excellent "...I won't put my hands up and surrender. There will be no white flag above my door, I'm in love and always will be..." I saw on TV this song's acoustic performance on the Europe Music Awards, it was astounding that the entire audience sang along with her.

2- Stoned - (3.5/5) Didn't know what to expect from the title of this song, the music is different, it lasts for at least a minute until Dido begins to sing. 3- Life For Rent - (5/5) It's a great song no wonder it's the title track of the album. "While my heart is shield and I won't let it down, while I am so afraid to fail so I won't even try, well how can I say I'm alive." 4- Mary's In India - (3/5) It's a different song. Features only her voice and an acoustic guitar. This song shows off her beautiful voice. 5- See You When You're 40 - (4/5) It's a beautiful song. I liked it right away. I think it's a song about finding out another person's true colors, seeing what that person is all about and realize that they are not worth it. "Well if you had walked past me today I wouldn't have picked you out, now I've seen tonight, how could I waste my time and I'll be on my way and I won't be back..."6- Don't Leave Hone - (4/5) Another wonderful track written by the Armstrong siblings. I think it's a great song about being there for someone. Catching lyrics, "and if you're cold I'll keep you warm if you're low just hold on, cos I will be your safety..."7- Who Makes You Feel - (3/5) The music is okay but not as good compared to the rest. But the lyrics are great though. "Who makes you feel the way that I make you feel, who loves you and knows you the way I do..."8- Sand In My Shoes - (4/5) I really like this song, it's a bit poppy and uplifting. "I've still got sand in my shoes and I can't shake the thought of you. I should get on forget you but why would I want to. I know we said goodbye...but I want to see you again."9- Do You Have A Little Time - (3.5/5) This song is defiantly different, it's darker compared to the rest. But overall a good song, take awhile to get used to.10- This Land Is Mine - (6/5) This is one amazing and beautiful song, the best track on the CD. It should be a single. I just love the beginning of this song, captivating. As the song goes on, you'd want to sing along and listen to over and over. "From behind these walls I hear your song oh sweet words the music that you play lights up my world. The sweetest that I've heard...finally things are changing."11- See The Sun - (5/5) It's a great pick up song when you're feeling down. Music is beautiful and lyrics are splendid. Dido co-writes all of her song but this one is special because she wrote it by herself. "...and you're asking me why pain's the only way to happiness and I promise you you'll see the sun again...Do you remember telling me you'd found the sweetest thing of all. You said one day of this was worth dying for so be thankful you knew her at all..."
There is a hidden track towards the end. It's a great short acoustic song, shows off her beautiful voice...if only the song was a bit longer. "I've been meaning to tell you, the closer you get, the better I'll feel. Closer you are more I see why everyone says that I look happier when you're around."Life For Rent is an amazing album and I give it my HIGHEST recommendation. I cannot wait for her third album. Please do not download her songs off of any file swapping programs. This amazing, touching, captive album is WORTH buying and each song has a special meaning of it's own. Above description is what each song means to me. Why not buy the album, listen to each song and read along the lyrics as show in the insert and have special meanings of your own? It's worth it."

Already waiting for her next release

Kristin Petrovich | Chicago, IL USA | 11/16/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As most fans, I first heard Dido as an accompanying voice for M&M. I was very intrigued by the somewhat melancholy yet seductive female voice and purchased her first CD. I loved her first CD, cannot stop raving about her second CD, and anxiously wait for her next release. It is heartbreaking when you grow to like an artist based on one CD but find that there next release is disappointing. Dido has NOT been a disappointment and has definitely kept my attention with this CD as much as, and possibly more than, her first. This CD is for all age groups whether your a teenager or preparing to retire. The music in some songs is slightly electronic and mysterious while combining with an often folk-like feeling. The lyrics reflect on life, love, and learning and will spark many emotions and give many listeners the feeling of a conected understanding with the artist. Dido definitely has a very distinct voice and sound on this CD as well as her first. The CD will definitely impress you the first time you listen to it but you will grow more and more attatched to it. With each listen you find a new lyrical passage true to life or a new musical rhythem to satisfy your mood."

A Grower -- Better Than Her Debut

Mark Freedman | New York | 01/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It took a bit for "Life for Rent" to grow on me, especially since I first listened to it after reading several negative reviews. Not much different in style from her debut, but there's nothing wrong with that, IMO. She has a style which is instantly recognizable after just a few notes. That's her staple, so there is no reason to change, despite that common criticism I hear.1) White Flag - I did not find this special at all the first few times I heard it. I was afraid that if this was the first single, I had a lot to worry about if I was expecting something special overall. I was wrong. This song is so engrained in me, and is quite special. It just needs the chance to attach itself to your soul.2) Stoned - Although the way this song starts out leads you to wonder where it's going to end up, it quickly became one of my favorites. I love the driving, flowing chorus, and it just builds and builds. Addicting.3) Life For Rent - Very pretty title track.4) Mary's In India - It took me a while to warm to this beautiful song. Just let it flow with your eyes closed.5) See You When You're 40 - Another one which to me a while to warm up to. Very atmospheric.6) Don't Leave Home - One of my favorites, and one I liked right away. I love the rhythm of this one. This should definitely be a single. It's one of her best.7) Who Makes You Feel - I know there's a song in here somewhere, but I'm too distracted by everything else that's
going on. I skip this occassionally, but I'm trying.8) Sand In My Shoes - Very different from the rest of the album, but fabulous. A great pop song. Also should be a
single, and a huge hit. If there isn't one yet, there should be a club mix of this.9) Do You Have A Little Time - Not one of my favorites. Sounds a bit dark. Not that I don't like dark -- I do. But this just doesn't do it for me.10) This Land Is Mine - Although it's a nice song, it reminds me of the feeling I have about "Thank You" -- the verses are great, but the chorus lets me down a bit -- too generic.11) See The Sun - Maybe my favorite on the album, and a great way to end it. A sweeping, atmospheric, emotional punctuation mark on a great sophmore effort.Overall, I'd give this 4.5 stars (c'mon, Amazon, it's about time you let us rate like that!). I had to round up, because it wasn't fair to round down.Highly recommended!"

A Superb Sophmore Release

C. Heath | Seattle, WA USA | 10/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dido has always been a magnificent artist. With this album, she proves she's got staying power. Her debut had so much intensity and passion, many thought it couldn't be beat. But Dido has managed to surpass all expectations and give us an album that's not only as deep and intense as "No Angel", but perhaps a little more emotional. Staying away from harsher styles and lyrics (i.e. "Don't Think of Me" and "Slide"), Dido has taken the subdued route this time. With mellow tunes and a more optimistic attitude, she refrains from desperation (i.e. "Here With Me" and "Honestly OK") and seems more content in her songs. "White Flag" which is the first single, is warm and inviting, growing slowly from sweet to strong. While not as loud as "Here With Me", this song has it's own charm. She longs for love but she's content with it. That's a rare quality to find in a song, and something only Dido could pull off. The flowing strings give it the final touch. (10/10) "Stoned", the second track and one of my personal favorites, is a bit more contemporary but just as beautiful as you'd expect anything from Dido to be. With a long drum and bass introduction, it takes you into the mood for the whole song. The highlight of this piece is the chorus, which has some of the most wonderful chord arrangements ever. Also the bridge has some fun synth sounds. (10/10) The title track, "Life For Rent", is the third song on the album, and extremely mellow. Again, Dido mixes lots of live instruments with synthesizers; something she is very talented at doing. This song is thick with music and includes a catchy drum loop which starts in the second chorus. (9/10) "Mary's In India" is the fourth track, and for this song Dido uses the bare minimum: a guitar, a very soft drum kit and not much else. There's a few whispy synth effects throughout, which give this song a fantasy feel. A very cute song. (8/10) "See You When You're 40" is an elegant piece. It fades in from nothing, sounding like wind in the forest at night. A simple drum loop joins, but somehow this song maintains it's spooky feeling. A very captivating song, it's got some romantic guitar and moody synthesizer effects. At one point, Dido sings a cappella for a few seconds, sounding haunted but content. (10/10) The sixth song is arguably one of the best on this album, and is called "Don't Leave Home". It opens simply, with acoustic guitar and a simple echo. But once the chorus begins, the strings join and the bass is kicked up a notch. This is another song where Dido has successfully mixed many contrasting sounds together to make a piece that pops. It includes some very moving chord progressions, and it's also one of the few songs where Dido sings with a stronger voice. (10/10) "Who Makes You Feel" - when this song begins, you immediately know it's going to be a mysterious one. It takes a while to build to it's full potential, but the suspense is chilling. It's got a wonderful bassline that sets the tone and as Dido sings the first chorus with a whispy voice, you get the feeling she's sad. But by the end of the song, she's strong and commanding. Creeping strings join her jazzy vocals halfway through, and when the song ends abrubtly, it leaves you wanting more. (10/10) The next song is the most upbeat, with quicker vocal arrangements and a perfect relationship between the music and lyrics. It's called "Sand In My Shoes". There's sounds of the blowing breeze on a beach in the first verse, and right away you want to join Dido in her dream. This song has a wonderful mix of many different sounds, including a 'sparkling' electric piano in the chorus. You could easily drive on the coast listening to this song. It's peppy but sweet and laid back at the same time. (10/10) The ninth track, "Do You Have A Little Time" makes a huge impression. At first listen, it's not much more than the same chord arrangement over and over again. But the more you listen to it, the better it gets. The title is perfect, considering it takes a little time to love this song. It's got haunting strings and a xylophone-sounding arpeggio in the second verse. Repetitive, but gorgeous. (10/10) "This Land Is Mine" has a wonderful message, and despite the fact that is has more instruments than "Mary's In India", it's probably the simplest song on the album. With acoustic guitar and piano, it's got almost no synthesizer instruments, except for the bass rhythm in the bridge section. However, this seems the be the most enchanting piece in all it's simplistic glory. (9/10) The 'last' track, "See The Sun", even sounds sunny. And with lush chords in the chorus, it sounds like the clouds lifting to reveal a brighter day. This song is perfect for getting over someone, or anything for that matter. (10/10) The true last song on the album is "Closer", and it's a hidden track. It's another song stripped bare of most everything except a guitar and light piano. But Dido proves to be an excellent artist when it comes to simple tunes. She really shows her passion through her lyrics when she sings this song. But then, she does that in every song anyway. (9/10) When an artist can paint a picture and take you there, you know they're truly a musician. And with Dido, she sometimes leaves the conclusion of a song to our imagination by suddenly ending it; but somehow with her that's okay. She sings softly but with as much emotion as Celine Dion or Whitney Houston. This album is a gem, and a wonderful album to relax to. And even if you like more intense music, I promise you won't be disappointed. I truly believe this collection of songs is Grammy worthy, and it will be a collection you listen to for years. Don't rob your ears of a beautiful sound any longer - buy "Life For Rent"."

A Great Follow-Up To "No Angel"

Greg | Houston, TX | 10/11/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When I first listened to this album, I wasn't real impressed. It seemed really boring compared to "No Angel". But then I gave it another listen, and liked it a WHOLE lot more. Then I gave it a 3rd listen, and liked it even more! It seems it's one of those albums that you enjoy more each time around. The album's first single, "White Flag", is a good choice as an opening song, because it will feel very comfortable to Dido fans that loved songs such as "Here With Me" and "Thank You". The next song, "Stoned", is a very soothing tune with some sad lyrics, but with an upbeat electronic drum track. "See You When Youre 40" is another sad yet upbeat tune, with probably one of the best choruses I think Dido's ever written. "Sand In My Shoes" starts off with Dido singing really fast, which might throw you off for a second, but then you get used to it after you hear the chorus, which sounds like something you might hear from Sade or Everything But The Girl. "This Land Is Mine" is simply Dido with acoustic guitar and drums, and sounds almost like a folk song. There are several other acoustic tracks on here such as "Mary's In India", "Don't Leave Home", and "Life For Rent". I'm very pleased with this album, if you don't like it at first, give it 1 or 2 more listens, and then you'll start to love it. In all honesty, this is probably every bit as good as "No Angel". However, that album came out 4 years ago, so it's sort of become a classic already with Dido's fans...which means that no matter how good of an album she puts out, people will always say "it's not as good as No Angel". But if you were to play both albums to someone who had never heard of Dido, they'd probably tell you that "No Angel" and "Life For Rent" are just as good as each other. If anything, it's great to finally have some new songs from Dido. So if you liked the last album, do yourself a favor and pick this one up."

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