Search - Nicola Hitchcock :: Passive Agressive

HOW BEAUTIFUL, HOW PURE

John_Andy | 05/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Nicola Hitchcock's voice is an indescribable force: it has a raw emotion, a terribly touching melancholy, a sweetness of pure beauty, a miraculous grace. I could use thousands of expressions to describe what I feel when I listen to her voice, and yet, you could never apprehend what it means.



I discovered her six years ago, when I first listened to her song "This Life". There was something primal and emotive in this song, a quality that could both affect you and inspire you. A year later, listening to a Cafe del Mar compilation, I found a song called "Beautiful"; amused and amazed, I realized it was the same person singing, so I decided to learn who she was.



I bought two Mandalay albums, and they moved me and seduced me in a way I cannot explain. Since then, they have been one of my favourite bands, and Nicola's voice has become a sort of shelter for me. The place I go back when the whole world seems to tumble down.



Passive Aggressive is no different. From the moment you hear the birds sing in the first seconds of "You will feel like this", you understand the album will lead you to a sacred place of no pain and no sorrow. It works as a prophecy. "All or Nothing" is a delicate song, combining the warmth of electronic beats, and the towering presence of classical instruments. I can't help but smile every time I listen to "Moving to a New Space", the perfect soundtrack for a new day, where all suffering seems to be gone. It is the promise of a new morning.



There's a naked coldness about such a personal and private song as "Heart", where a lover surrenders to love; if you don't feel moved by this song, then you don't feel at all. "Forgive me" is an electronic ode to self-forgiveness, a song about getting at peace with yourself, and your mistakes. Drums and trumpets arrive like a new day in "Cloudy skies and Rain", digging deeper in the dance mood suggested by the previous song. It seems to me, "Feel" sounds like a Mandalay song; with its violins, its guitars, and the tender words of Nicola, it is an adorable song. "Ordinary day" has a Machiavellian, contagious taste, and a quiet moment of bliss.



"Surrender" is a slow composition with profound lyrics and a sensual, smooth saxophone. If a mere song could transmit both fragility and intrigue, that would be "Because". The album closes with a very intimate song, "Morning", composed by Hector Zazou. The piano and violin here have a soothing, deeply emotive quality: another gem.



This is an album of collaborations between the talents of several composers and musicians, and the sparkling beauty of Nicola's voice and lyrics. It is an album of love, forgiveness, and purity. It is an album to fall in love with."

Wow

J. Atienza | East Bay, CA | 10/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was first introduced to Nicola Hitchcock's amazing voice when a friend let me listen to her copy of Solace, the U.S. album she did when she was still with Mandalay. After hearing that she released a solo album, I immediately rushed to my closest Barnes and Noble (the only retailer that carries the CD) and bought it. I recommend you do the same. Make sure you get the one with the bonus track of "I Forgive Me (Acoustic)", it's amazing and I like it better than the original version. The CD is all-around great; it has a different sound than the stuff she did with Saul Freeman, which is still amazing work. Some of the tracks remind me of Emiliana Torrini's "Fisherman's Woman" album, but that isn't a bad thing. If you love Mandalay, you're going to love Nicola Hitchcock's "Passive Aggressive"."

LOVE this CD...get it now and spread the word!

G. Wells | houston, texas USA | 03/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Passive Agressive"



This extraordinary CD, "Passive Agressive" can be deceptive at first. Upon first listening depending where you are and what you are doing, it just seems to fit the mood.

I first listened to it alone and in a quiet environment and it seemed to be that sort of CD. One to experience at home.

Let me explain:

My first go round was at home laying on the couch at night...the CD begins with "You Will Feel Like This" and instantly you are taken by Nicola's ethereal delivery and the music just seems to flow from the speakers in a swirling lush soundscape of melody. As the cd progresses you realize that there is no need to have the remote in hand, as every song is equally matched to the next... I love a CD where every song can easily be your favorite depending on the day...this is one of those CD's.

The second listen came about when I had to leave the next night for Austin from Houston. I put in "Passive Agressive" and turned up the volume just enough to hear the music but not so loud that i couldnt hear the wind outside. Once again, the music "fit".

It seemed during songs like "Heart" that the traffic of cars were doing a ballet of turns and movement to the music...honestly it was just beautiful. As my drive continued I found myself wanting to go back and relisten to each song to not only help fill up my 2 1/2 hour drive but to just have those moments recaptured.

The song "Because" seemed to propel my car forward on its journey and that song became my official road trip song listening to it more than a handful of times in a row.

The third time I listend to "Passive Agressive" it was sunny and incredible weather and went with a friend for a drive through the hills of Wimberly Texas. With the windows down and the breeze blowing in, Nicola's voice seemed to make everything even brighter...the landscape passing by seemed more rich, more peaceful at times and more exciting at times like during "I Forgive Me" which made you want to put your arm out of the car like when you were little and catch the wind in your hand. The final track came on and as we were coasting through the hills...to our left was a train moving along the side of us and with the help of Nicola's music it seemed like a scene from a sweeping and epic film...just breathtaking and simply beautiful...

like Nicola, her music and this CD.

If you have it, give it a re-listen and see how the music can fit any situation and in turn make it more memorable and then spread the word to everyone you know.

If you dont have it purchase it today...



Thank you and enjoy!





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