TISL ~ thirteen years later!!!

[sorcerer999]

Taking a break from the wonder and beauty that is "24 Karat Gold", I listened to TISL last night on a whim.

I'm curious to hear everyone's opinion of this album now! Do you think it has held up well? Do you think it is dated? Do you still listen to it? Do you still have favorite songs from this album? Are there songs that have grown on you over the years? Are there songs that you initially loved but now despise? SPILL IT!!! :D

At 53 years old, after the disaster and disappointment of "Street Angel" but factoring in the unbridled success of "The Dance", this truly was her "career comeback" record, and for me personally, it's still one of my favorites. I still like it a hell of a lot better than IYD. :sorry:

The first four songs (TISL, Candlebright, Sorcerer, and Planets) were/are incredible and I can't think of a solo album before or since that had an immediate straight run of strong songs. After that, the album goes back and forth for me. I also still love and adore "Bombay Sapphires", "It's Only Love" and "Love Is".

"Fall From Grace" and "I Miss You" used to be favorites of mine but have been run into the ground upon repeated listenings. But that's no one's fault but my own.

I think there are parts of it that have held up very well (basically the first four songs) because of the mysticism and otherworldly rock sound. However, MOST of the other songs DO sound dated ~ that late 90's/early 2000's AC rock a la Celine Dion or Faith Hill. "Love Changes", "Every Day" and "I Miss You" are good examples of that.

Do I still listen to it? Sure do!!!:nod: But I will add that every time I do listen to it, it only takes me about 30-35 mins...as I just do the first 4 songs and skip ahead to the other three songs I enjoy. :D

[louielouie2000]

I actually put on TISL a while back for the first time in years. I couldn't get over how incredibly dated it sounded. When it first came out, I thought it was the best thing she'd ever done. But with the passage of time, it sounds like exactly what it is: something straight out of the Britney Spears era. There's really only one song I still listen to from that album with any regularity: Bombay Sapphire(s). To me, that song is timeless, and can stand among the ranks of her best solo tracks.

As far as the album itself... it's currently on the low end of the spectrum for me. But perhaps it will come into it's own in due time. I know the first time I heard Rock A Little (album) in the late '90s, I was astonished how dated & cheesy it sounded. Now that sound has come full circle, and it's one of my top fav albums.

[AnthonyMI]

I actually put on TISL a while back for the first time in years. I couldn't get over how incredibly dated it sounded. When it first came out, I thought it was the best thing she'd ever done. But with the passage of time, it sounds like exactly what it is: something straight out of the Britney Spears era.


Same here. I thought it was the BOMB. (to use a term from that era)

Now... meh. Most the songs are very dated and not in a 1981, 1989 kinda way. More like a "I hated my life during that era and all that music of that era" way. Matchbox 20, U2, Santana all had big albums around that time and they all have this unglossy noisy sheen to them. A few of the songs on this album actually still sound good, but they are the first tracks on the album. Planets to my ears is overproduced, WAY more overproduced then I can possibly think anything on IYD was. What is that smashing "waaaMasssh waamasshh waamasssshh" synthetic instrument? I shiver when I hear it. IYD sounds downright sparse compared to most of TISL. but that is my tastes.

I miss you is maybe the only track that I originally disliked but came to like. I do not like Bombay or Planets or even Everyday.

But for what it was, I appreciate it. It was an honest effort, that took WAY to long to make, had too many producers. If she had made Sheryl commit and finish producing hte whole album and left Crystal and If you Ever Did Believe along with the other "vault" songs, and then had Sheryl produce the other songs with a more organic sound I think that we would have ended up with an album much closer to the way 24 Karat Gold sounds.

[markolas]

The idea that music from as recent as 2001 can sound "dated" makes me feel very old. I guess I don't really know what "current" music sounds like anymore.

I haven't listened to the entire album in a long time, but I've been meaning to take another listen. I remember that I liked the first five songs an awful lot, and then it started to fall apart with Stevie's dreadful vocal on "Too Far from Texas." I hated "That Made Me Stronger" because of the lyrics, but after hearing "Hard Advice," I want to go back and see how they compare.

The second half of the album was a bit spotty. I never cared much for "Love Changes," but "It's Only Love" was her best vocal performance in a very long time. The rest of the album was great. I definitely need to revisit the whole thing soon.

[sorcerer999]

The idea that music from as recent as 2001 can sound "dated" makes me feel very old. .

2001 is "recent" to you? :xoxo:

I was 22 back then. And it seems like a LIFETIME ago!!! :lol:

[SisterNightroad]

I'm very young so the first time I listened to TISL was much later than when it got out, circa 2 years ago.

It does sound a bit dated but, since these are the kind of sounds I listened to while growing, it doesn't bother me much; I find the overproduction familiar and comforting.
Anyway it's passed too little time to appreciate the outdated-ness and consider it being historical or vintage.

I think that the album is a blast at the beginning and then its quality fades progressively; even the main concept of the album, the Shangri-La metaphore, gets lost towards the end but I don't consider any song bad, just forgettable.
The fact that the production is so different for each song doesn't help the album as a whole and it's a pity because it could have been an amazing concept album.

I seldom listen to the whole TISL, but I quite often love to listen to "Bombay sapphires", "Sorcerer" and "Trouble in Shangri-La", my favourites. I didn't like "Candlebright" right away, but when I discovered the argument I felt like a monster and I've come to like it.
I don't like "Fall from Grace" so much anymore though.

[markolas]

2001 is "recent" to you? :xoxo:

I was 22 back then. And it seems like a LIFETIME ago!!! :lol:

We're the same age, and it seems like just a couple of years ago to me. I don't know where the time has gone.

[PenguinHead]

It's rare for any artist to make a timeless song or album that transcends generations . Most albums have a time stamp where you can hear the era in which it was made. Just because something sounds dated isn't a bad thing. Everything that exists becomes dated eventually.

I love lots of bands and music from the sixties. The styles and sounds were current for its time, but have little in common with what's currently current! So I see Trouble in Shangrila as a product of its time. It's still enjoyable, still respected, but just not current.

[bombaysaffires]

the Sheryl-produced songs sound pretty darn good.. Too bad there weren't more of them.

[DauphineMarie]

I think it sounds dated too, maybe just because I was so young when I first listened to it (11) and I've changed quite a bit since then. When I listen to anything from TISL, I mainly just listen to the first half :shrug: The rest I think sounds Adult Contemporary - not really a genre Stevie needs to belong to. I like that it's more acoustic, but I think it lacks some of that mysterious quality and instrumentation.

[wheart]

there are some amazing songs on it...TISL, Love Is, I Miss You, Fall From Grace (one of my fav Stevie tunes EVER) but overall it still sounds very heavy and over produced to me. And her voice sounds a million times better now than it did then. It's a good album but not one I feel the need to revisit all that often. It does feature one of her best covers (as in album cover not song cover). :D

[Macfanforever]

I dont believe its been that long.TISL, was a great album.Atlease it got radio airplay.Probably the last solo album to date that did get radio airplay.

I'm a big fan of Sheryl and her music.I love lite rock music.She does great with country music too.

[SpyNote]

I still love the album today. It's probably #4 or #5 on my list. There was so much fan excitement behind the album's release, and Reprise did a great job of coordinating promotions. The VH1 Artist of the Month campaign was probably the most effective in getting the album to debut so high on the charts. I tend to agree with Stevie that if it hadn't been for 9/11, the album would have been more successful. There was still a lot of momentum with the tour and "Sorcerer" being the third single.

I don't think dated is the right word to describe how it sounds today because the mixes would still fit into today's popular music. It just has different production values (namely the extensive use of Pro Tools) from her classic releases (e.g. Bella Donna, The Wild Heart). For example, when listen to "I Miss You" or "Bombay Sapphires," you wouldn't immediately say, "Oh, that's so 2001." If you want dated, look to Sandy Stewart's Cat Dancer, which is unmistakably early '80s.

I don't usually listen to the whole album, but the first four songs are among the best she's ever recorded.

[Jondalar]

I tried to like this album. I had really high hopes. However, I gave it a thumbs down.

I think John Shanks was definitely the best producer on this album. Trouble in Shangri La and Planets of the Universe were the best tracks on the album. I like Candlebright to an extent but hated the mandolin on it. I like the remix where the music sounds more middle eastern a lot better than what made it on the album. Sorcerer was ok. Planets and Far from Grace were too wordy, but at least Shanks made them interesting.

The album is bland. I Miss You has great sentiment but it's bland. Bombay Sapphires is sorta nice but it's too out there with the lyrics. Too Far From Texas is a good song, but Stevie didn't even try to give a good vocal.

I wish If You Ever Did Believe, Twisted, Thrown Down and My Heart were on it. :(

[Frankenstein]

I like TISL a good bit but for some reason just don't find myself listening to it very often. Like everyone else mentioned, I think the first 4 tracks are stellar. Sorcerer is probably my favorite track on the album. I never liked Every Day, That Made Me Stronger, or Love Changes, and still don't. I got a bit tired of Bombay Sapphires and Fall From Grace from repeated listening but I still like 'em. I Miss You is a good song but I can't listen to it much because I find it depressing. Used to not care for Too Far From Texas, but for some horrifying reason just recently it's really grown on me :eek: As far as sounding dated, I kind of agree with that, some songs more than others. Every Day in particular just screams early 2000s pop-rock to me. I wouldn't say it's THE most dated-sounding record of hers though. I'd give that honor to OSOTM.

[Jondalar]

I like TISL a good bit but for some reason just don't find myself listening to it very often. Like everyone else mentioned, I think the first 4 tracks are stellar. Sorcerer is probably my favorite track on the album. I never liked Every Day, That Made Me Stronger, or Love Changes, and still don't. I got a bit tired of Bombay Sapphires and Fall From Grace from repeated listening but I still like 'em. I Miss You is a good song but I can't listen to it much because I find it depressing. Used to not care for Too Far From Texas, but for some horrifying reason just recently it's really grown on me :eek: As far as sounding dated, I kind of agree with that, some songs more than others. Every Day in particular just screams early 2000s pop-rock to me. I wouldn't say it's THE most dated-sounding record of hers though. I'd give that honor to OSOTM.

I think The Wild Heart is definitely the most dated because of the synthesizers.

[sorcerer999]

I wouldn't say it's THE most dated-sounding record of hers though. I'd give that honor to OSOTM.

^^^I agree, wholeheartedly. TOSOTM, with it's sax, uber cheesy "OVERUSE" of adult contemporary synth make it impossible for me to listen to from beginning to end.

I think The Wild Heart is definitely the most dated because of the synthesizers.

Disagree. The particular synth sound on this album was unique, new and "the way of the future, musically" at that particular moment in time. The synth here was the closest thing to "new wave" that Stevie's music ever sounded. A LOT of extremely popular indie and electronica bands today (M83, Cut Copy, The Knife, etc) employ this particular style of synth and it has very much made a comeback.

Whereas by the time TOSOTM came around, the synth wasn't being used as embellishment or any sort of counter melody for her anymore. It was being used to replace other instruments (predominantly guitars) on the melody. Boo and ew! Nor was synth, in and of itself, still popular at this juncture, which makes it sound even MORE dated.

Just my opinion! Back to TISL...

[snroxman]

I agree with Jondalar - Shanks was the best producer on the album. His "Every Day" was fun at the time, a nice diversion.

My only complaint, if one were to call it that , was that I think this album definitely had more potential. It had the potential to be a very strong album. "Thrown Down", in the version for this album, was a killer song. "Planets" could have been left in its longer form and had a video produced for it, as one would expect for a released single. Missed opportunities.

Despite these, in my "greatest hits/best of " playlist, TISL is represented very well. :)

[Jondalar]

I agree with Jondalar - Shanks was the best producer on the album. His "Every Day" was fun at the time, a nice diversion.

My only complaint, if one were to call it that , was that I think this album definitely had more potential. It had the potential to be a very strong album. "Thrown Down", in the version for this album, was a killer song. "Planets" could have been left in its longer form and had a video produced for it, as one would expect for a released single. Missed opportunities.

Despite these, in my "greatest hits/best of " playlist, TISL is represented very well. :)

Missed Opportunity was my reaction. I wish 24K was released back then instead of TISL. She had the whole world behind her and 24K would of easily went platinum.

[laurarox]

I always listen to Trouble in shangri la, Planets, and Love Is on my iPod.

[BlueLight]

I actually continue to listen to (selections from) this album with some regularity.

My go to fav tracks (plus outtakes) are:

TISL
Candlebright
Sorcerer
POTU (Extended Outtake)
If You Ever Did Believe
Thrown Down (outtake)
I Miss You
Love Is

The rest I can take or leave. Many of these songs do sound dated in terms of production, but Sorcerer and POTU definitely hold up in my view.

I always thought her voice sounded good on this album. But after listening to 24KG, and returning to this album over this past week, I've changed my mind - her vocals come across as a bit nasal, and lacking any depth or texture.

But still, love the album - albeit not as much as IYD or 24KG, in terms of her more recent work.

[mylittledemon]

I actually put on TISL a while back for the first time in years. I couldn't get over how incredibly dated it sounded. When it first came out, I thought it was the best thing she'd ever done. But with the passage of time, it sounds like exactly what it is: something straight out of the Britney Spears era. There's really only one song I still listen to from that album with any regularity: Bombay Sapphire(s). To me, that song is timeless, and can stand among the ranks of her best solo tracks.
.

Funny to hear you say that. It depends on what day you catch me, but I'd lean towards saying the same thing. I still think it's a really good album though. It does sound dated, and it reminds me of that time in my life (holy cow... 13 years ago!)... And I know I'm in the minority here, but I still feel that TISL edges out IYD.

[sorcerer999]

And I know I'm in the minority here, but I still feel that TISL edges out IYD.

Nope. I'm right there with you. There are only about 4 or 5 songs I enjoy off IYD and at least 7 off of TISL. :thumbsup:

[James89]

For me, TISL is a million times better than IYD. I can very happily listen to TISL all the way through and be amazed each time at how great it is. IYD just has something lacking for me. It's still a good album but just doesn't have the magic that TISL has.

[Jondalar]

For me, TISL is a million times better than IYD. I can very happily listen to TISL all the way through and be amazed each time at how great it is. IYD just has something lacking for me. It's still a good album but just doesn't have the magic that TISL has.

I liked IYD better. She had a song for each genre. It was like listening to the radio.

[WatchChain]

For me, "Trouble in Shangri-La" ranks among Stevie's best solo albums. It was her career comeback and the solo record that made Stevie nicks cool again (after the disaster that was her 1989-1996 career slump). The name Stevie Nicks was "box office poison" between the years of 1990-1996. If you want to hear "DATED" Stevie Nicks songs, try listening to portions of "Rock A Little" and "The Other Side of the Mirror"! Those albums have great songs, but the OVER-PRODUCED arrangements are horrible (as was MOST 80's music).

I agree with the original post, "Trouble In Shangri-La" contains the strongest 4 OPENING songs of ANY Stevie solo album. In spite of a few minor weak spots, I think the album holds up quite well today. Let's face it, there are at least 1-2 weak songs on every one of her solo records (with the exception of "Bella Donna"). In fact, I think "Trouble In Shangri-La" is every bit as good as "In Your Dreams" or "24 Karat Gold". Stevie hasn't made a true stinker of a record in 20 years (since STREET ANGEL). So, let's cut "TISL"

[sorcerer999]

...some slack? I agree! :thumbsup::lol:

[StreetAngel86]

i don't think much of TISL
i never listen to it
but I love the title track
love Bombay Sapphires & Love Is & Fall From Grace
Candlebright/Planets/Sorcerer are great when I'm in the mood for them
so is I Miss You

the whole middle of the album is blaaaaaaah.
i never listen to tracks 5-9 :cool:

i don't think this was the greatest record she ever made.

Nope. I'm right there with you. There are only about 4 or 5 songs I enjoy off IYD and at least 7 off of TISL. :thumbsup:

:lol: i'm the exact opposite ;)
IYD only has one caca song
and 7 great songs
and the rest are ok-to-great ;)

[GypsySorcerer]

I really liked TISL when it was released. Part of that excitement was simply due to Stevie's solo comeback. She received a ton of publicity (the Vh1 artist of the month, in particular). As others have said, the middle of the album is weak....the songs are bland and generic. And yes, many of these ("Love Changes," "Every Day") sound like the female artists that were played on AC-radio at the time (Faith Hill, Celine Dion). "That Made Me Stronger" was one of the worst songs of her career. However, I have always maintained that the title cut is one of her best songs, ever. "Sorcerer" and "Planets" are terrific too. And "It's Only Love" featured a really great vocal in a period when, looking back, her voice wasn't in top form.

[sorcerer999]

And "It's Only Love" featured a really great vocal in a period when, looking back, her voice wasn't in top form.

You said a mouthful. I LOVE her vocal on this track. Say what you will about Sheryl, but she always managed to manifest a terrific vocal performance from Stevie. The vocals on the tracks that Miss Crow produced are all pretty solid on this record. The falsetto on "Sorcerer" gave me goosebumps the first time I heard it.

On a lot of the "non-Sheryl" tracks ("Planets" being a good example) Stevie sounds like the long lost triplet of Patti and Selma.

[tabruns]

I think TISL is one of the great Nicks albums and truly a comeback record. I had hopes it would go Platinum, and it did go Gold quickly, but then sales just came to a screeching halt just shy of 700,000 copies. It was great to see "Every Day" hit #17 on AC and "Sorcerer" hit #21 on AC, and it was a great surprise to see the remix of "Planets of the Universe" hit #1 on the Dance chart.

I really liked the album cover and the "S" logo. "Trouble In Shangri-La" was IMO at the time her strongest title song for an album (that's now been supplanted by "24 Karat Gold"). Many of the songs on TISL are really strong: "Candlebright" is for TISL what "Kind of Woman" was for Bella Donna. "I Miss You" could have been an AC hit. "Bombay Sapphires" has great imagery in the lyrics and a wonderful vibe. "Love Is" is a heartbreaker of a ballad. "Fall From Grace" rocks harder than many people half her age. "Too Far From Texas" is a nicely done twangy detour into country.

The only song I tended to skip was "It's Only Love", I just thought it was kind of boring. "That Made Me Stronger" was okay but not nearly the quality of the other songs on the album. I liked "Sorcerer" a lot but I *love* the piano-based Marilyn Martin version so I wish Stevie had done that instead. "Planets of the Universe" is truly glorious in its full 6 minute version and that version should have been what made the CD.

Those minor quibbles aside I think TISL is definitely one of Nicks' best records. This is very subjective but for me TISL ranks third among Nicks' albums, just behind IYD and BD.

[tabruns]

I think The Wild Heart is definitely the most dated because of the synthesizers.

Actually I'd put her most dated sounding album as being RAL. RAL is *very* 80s....when it first came out it was lauded as sounding "more modern" than BD or WH but I remember thinking at the time "more modern or less timeless?"

[tabruns]

Let's face it, there are at least 1-2 weak songs on every one of her solo records (with the exception of "Bella Donna").

I think BD does, too. I know some people love these songs but I could never shake the feeling that "Outside the Rain" and "How Still My Love" were way too "Dreams"-esque. They both seemed like filler tracks to me.

[sorcerer999]

I think BD does, too. I know some people love these songs but I could never shake the feeling that "Outside the Rain" and "How Still My Love" were way too "Dreams"-esque. They both seemed like filler tracks to me.

Ooooooooooo...them's fightin' words!!!:lol:

[tabruns]

Ooooooooooo...them's fightin' words!!!:lol:

I know, I know....I know people love those tracks.

[WatchChain]

Ooooooooooo...them's fightin' words!!!:lol:

Oh, no she DIDN'T !!!!!!!!!

[michelej1]

I think BD does, too. I know some people love these songs but I could never shake the feeling that "Outside the Rain" and "How Still My Love" were way too "Dreams"-esque. They both seemed like filler tracks to me.

I like those two, but, Kind Of Woman, Think About It, After The Glitter Fades and The Highwayman never did anything for me. The highpoints were very high, but the low points took up 40% of the album.

Michele

[gssmith]

I liked IYD better. She had a song for each genre. It was like listening to the radio.

I feel the same way. TISL, I have to feel like listing to an album if I ever listen the whole way thru (I never can do it anymore with TISL, Rock a Little or OSOTM) but it was a great concept album, just like those I listed. When listing to IYD, I can sit more patiently thru it, no skipping. I don't ever think, 'God damnit! put some Metallica or meat loaf, or hell, Fleetwood Mac on!'
Which album has the best songs? I still don't know. It changes. There is some great stuff on both and some passers. Just a personal opinion. That's the best thing about Stevie, she is diverse compared to other 70s stars. Parents still love her and she is engaging to youngsters like me.

[TheWILDheart]

I'm about to disagree with everyone.

"Trouble In Shangri-La" is PERFECT. It's actually in my top 5 albums ever made and has been in constant rotation since it came out. Even the weaker tracks are outstanding. Whereas I can find at least 1 naff song on every other Stevie album, TISL is just brilliant for beginning to end. I absolutely hands down would rather listen to TISL than IYD, and especially 24KG.

The only thing I would change about it, is to put the full version of "Planets" on the album.

[KarmaContestant]

I like those two, but, Kind Of Woman, Think About It, After The Glitter Fades and The Highwayman never did anything for me. The highpoints were very high, but the low points took up 40% of the album.

Michele

My four favorite tracks from the album!

Stevie fans would doom us all if they ever had to agree on stuff like this in order to save the world.

[DauphineMarie]

I like those two, but, Kind Of Woman, Think About It, After The Glitter Fades and The Highwayman never did anything for me. The highpoints were very high, but the low points took up 40% of the album.

Michele

I think I can see your point. I guess you could say they are not standouts, but for me they make the album feel whole. I can listen to Bella Donna all the way through, and it sounds special and magical every time. For me, the songs evoke the cover art. It sounds like a mysterious mix of light and dark - come in out of the darkness - and it really follows through with a theme.
However, TISL doesn't do that for me. I can't listen to the whole thing really, and I don't think there's a sort of theme involved. Yes there seems to be Trouble in Shangri-La, but where is the rest of the trouble on the album, where is the common thread? Maybe it's an unfair comparison, considering this used to be my favourite album, but I'm just not feeling the flow like I used to. :shrug:

[michelej1]

Yes there seems to be Trouble in Shangri-La, but where is the rest of the trouble on the album, where is the common thread? Maybe it's an unfair comparison, considering this used to be my favourite album, but I'm just not feeling the flow like I used to. :shrug:

Well, I think there's trouble throughout and that's what seems to be the theme for me. Trouble in Shangri-la, Trouble in Love Is, Trouble in I Miss You. That does seem to be the theme. This quiet sense of loss and I think the whole album is kind of rhythmless, giving it a certain mood that tends to introspection. Tranquil, sad and knowing.

But the truth is, once Wild Heart came out, I put Bella Donna by the wayside. You have career making songs on that first album, (EO17, Leather and Lace and SDMHA) but lots of songs that seem only plodding to me.

Michele

[KarmaContestant]

Sometimes, when I read the comments about various songs here on The Ledge, it reminds me of a personal friend I simulateously love and detest at the same time.

She is incapable of distinguishing between slow songs, sad songs, dark songs and melodramatic songs. If it doesn't have a beat she can dance to, the song is categorically ignored as being "depressing". She seems totally unwilling to consider the lyrical content, the meaning, or the subtle shifts in emotion throughout a song.

In her world there are only two kinds of music. Upbeat songs and depressing songs. This makes sharing music with her a tortuous affair. She loves Stevie Nicks (so she has said for the last 22 years) but cannot bear two-thirds of her catalog because it's 'depressing'.

:rolleyes:

[tabruns]

Sometimes, when I read the comments about various songs here on The Ledge, it reminds me of a personal friend I simulateously love and detest at the same time.

She is incapable of distinguishing between slow songs, sad songs, dark songs and melodramatic songs. If it doesn't have a beat she can dance to, the song is categorically ignored as being "depressing". She seems totally unwilling to consider the lyrical content, the meaning, or the subtle shifts in emotion throughout a song.

In her world there are only two kinds of music. Upbeat songs and depressing songs. This makes sharing music with her a tortuous affair. She loves Stevie Nicks (so she has said for the last 22 years) but cannot bear two-thirds of her catalog because it's 'depressing'.

:rolleyes:

Well Lana Del Rey must make her positively suicidal then LOL

[On Ice]

I really liked Trouble In Shangri -La in 2001 when it came out. I was in the camp that had high hopes of this being her "Supernatural" but it didn't quite meet those heights. Something happened to the momentum between the Dance in 97 that just didn't carry over to the album. I think the main problem is that the power quad intro set expectations a bit high for the rest of the record and it didn't quite take off. While cute and good in their own way, songs like That Made Me Stronger, Too Far From Texas, Everyday and the pretty but weak I Miss You could not stand beside the title track, Planets and Sorcerer. As we know now, Thrown Down and perhaps a finely tuned My Heart or Space Needle would've upped the consistent quality a few notches. Unfortunately like other albums she made some mistakes in song choices that just didn't live up to her standards that she herself established early in her career and this is why TISL didn't quite take off to the heights that it should have.

Anyway, I still like TISL, just not as much as IYD and certainly not 24K which I feel she totally nails.

[michelej1]

In her world there are only two kinds of music. Upbeat songs and depressing songs. This makes sharing music with her a tortuous affair. She loves Stevie Nicks (so she has said for the last 22 years) but cannot bear two-thirds of her catalog because it's 'depressing'.

:rolleyes:

One of the things that I love about Christine's songs is that many sound upbeat, but they contain darkness. It adds to their complexity. Say You Love Me being the prime example, but this is true of Little Lies as well. Hold Me, Think About Me. When the message of yearning is combined with a joyous beat, it somehow brings home the tenuous nature of the relationship. Like, "this is what can be lost." When you've glimpsed the sun, it makes you more afraid of the dark.

Michele

[PenguinHead]

I suppose we all listen to music in different ways. When I play a record or CD, I listen to it in it's entirety, as a complete work. There may be songs that hold more appeal than others.

Of course there are songs that I will favor more than others, but I find my peace with all of them after repeated listening.I just accept more more challenging ones as part of the body of work, like the odd relatives at a family gathering. (When I See You Again comes to mind!)

There's hardly ever a breaking point where I would find something so insufferable or offensive that I feel the need to skip, flee and escape a perceived sonic assault for fear of ocular injury or abject boredom.

[tabruns]

I suppose we all listen to music in different ways. When I play a record or CD, I listen to it in it's entirety, as a complete work. There may be songs that hold more appeal than others.

Of course there are songs that I will favor more than others, but I find my peace with all of them after repeated listening.I just accept more more challenging ones as part of the body of work, like the odd relatives at a family gathering. (When I See You Again comes to mind!)

There's hardly ever a breaking point where I would find something so insufferable or offensive that I feel the need to skip, flee and escape a perceived sonic assault for fear of ocular injury or abject boredom.

I'm quite different. I always hope that albums come out with 14-16 songs so that I can trim them down to the 10-12 that I totally love. I don't do this very often with Stevie's albums, just because I really like nearly all her songs, but its my usual method.

[StreetAngel86]

Stevie fans would doom us all if they ever had to agree on stuff like this in order to save the world.

agreement is so mainstream :lol::lol::lol:
much more interesting when pretty much no-one agrees about anything here :thumbsup:

[Richard B]

I tried listening to this last week....couldn't even get through the first song. Her voice and choice of songs just rub me the wrong way. Definitely my least favorite solo album. I'm happy never to hear it again.

[desertangel]

So hard to believe it's been 13 years already! A lot has happened and changed in the world and in my own world since then. I also take a CD in it's entirety rather than song by song. I can't listen to TISL anymore because of all the trauma that happened in our world during that time and my father was dying then too. Nothing against anything, it's just the way I'm wired. I've tried a few times since then, but still get an overwhelming sense of dread and sadness when I listen to many of those songs. It's awful. I've had 24K Gold in constant rotation since it came out. I really love Blue Water. This album hasn't had time to "grow on me" like most Stevie albums tend to do. I still really love In Your Dreams, which didn't take nearly as long to grow on me as other Stevie albums.

[starshine]

So hard to believe it's been 13 years already! A lot has happened and changed in the world and in my own world since then. I also take a CD in it's entirety rather than song by song. I can't listen to TISL anymore because of all the trauma that happened in our world during that time and my father was dying then too. Nothing against anything, it's just the way I'm wired. I've tried a few times since then, but still get an overwhelming sense of dread and sadness when I listen to many of those songs. It's awful. I've had 24K Gold in constant rotation since it came out. I really love Blue Water. This album hasn't had time to "grow on me" like most Stevie albums tend to do. I still really love In Your Dreams, which didn't take nearly as long to grow on me as other Stevie albums. I hear what your saying about how the world has changed as I guess really all of US here on this form have changed in those yrs since TISL was released those many years ago (and gotten older too). I do recall that I was excited because it was something new from Stevie since Street Angel, Dance, Enchanted so it was great at the time and well I'd made a cassette tape (YES a cassette tape ) of different versions and the extended Planets etc. to play on my 2nd trip to Las Vegas in late August. I recall listening to it on the plane ride out and it was great to hear. Stevie was suppose to play the Aladdin Hotel in Vegas but it was after I'd left. I'm not even sure if she did play that concert. I did see her for the tour with Sheryl Crow @ DTE here I think it was in early July. It was a great concert. (But still will love the Street Angel tour since that's when I'd saw her first time solo but with Mac before in 90 for the Mask tour). Than 9/11 happened and well I don't think I really listened to music or enjoyed much of anything for maybe 5 or 6 months really. I was in shock and afraid. Life changed than and we must never forget never. I didn't know anyone affected but we are all people and it was heart wrenching for all those that lost someone than. Time does pass and life does go on but it was a time that was hard. I really haven't listened to Trouble in awhile, I guess I need to start listening to some of the solo LP's again. Sometimes I just need a break. We talk about music being dated but I guess all of it really is. If you love it the date or the datedness of it doesn't really matter. It's what you like. Enjoy it for what it is. Some thoughts.:shrug: