Illume

[dissention]

What is your opinion on this song? I caved in and downloaded it and I am stunned. The last minute or so of the song gave me chill-bumps! Very dark and intense, some of her best lyrics. The Stevie/Lindsey voice hybrid took me aback at first, but it kinda works in the context of the song. Great vocal, too. I can't imagine it being played live, though.

[strandinthewind]

I really like it except for two things: (1) the "trade you for jade" part is a great sentiment that just does not work in my opinion (although I cannot tell you why ); and (2) the, for a lack of a better term, "bridge" where the vocal effect is used. I think it sounds a little silly in such a serious song - but I just really in general do not like that voice effect very much. But, I do like the song very much, esp. the great guitar and vocal in the beginning.

[linsluv]

I liked her vocals a lot esp. near the ending and the lyrics were all right, but the melody to me was... non-existant?

I thought the voice was cool, it was messing with my head when I first heard it. Silly Lindsey and his toys :P

Overall I wasn't crazy about it.

[Canuck Fan]

I am very happy with Illume. I think it is very avant guard for Stevie and think it is an impressive step forward. It has a very infectious beat and I think of her on the plane to NewYorkon Sept 10th unaware of what was about to happen just like the rest of us. Love the acoustic intro that leads to the beat and her voice is absolutely amazing on the track. One of my favourites for sure. Cheers.

[Mad4stevie]

The more I listen to it, the more I like it. The first time I heard it, I wasn't thrilled with it, probably because I was expecting something different. Reading the lyrics in the liner notes gave it more meaning for me.

[gypsysara]

I really love illume a lot, its one of my favourites. I agree that it may not contain as much melody, but i love the rythmic almost primal chant like spirit to the song. Indian almost. I read a lot of the pre-stuff regarding this song and I did expect something different. But I do love what I heard.

Cave in and get the CD!

[Hawkeye]

the line "Remember I was just so scared" makes me feel like Stevie was talking to me. I mean this resolves alot of demons I've been facing since she cancelled her September 12th concert. I finally realize that she was just too scared to perform, and i don't feel so bad. That alone makes this song a perfect 10 and beyyond. SAuch a breatjh of fresh air.

[The Tower]

sucked

No melody or harmony whatesoever.....

The 9/11 refererence can't even be felt.....

[DownOnRodeo]

Originally posted by The Tower
sucked

No melody or harmony whatesoever.....

The 9/11 refererence can't even be felt.....

There was no harmony or melody on that day....

I didn't feel the 9/11 reference... I got overwhelmed by it.

[CarneVaca]

I'm not crazy about the lyrics in this song. In fairness, it is dreadfully hard to write about that day.

As for the "lack" of melody, I get what Lindsey and Stevie were trying here. The only thing is that Bruce Springsteen and Steve Earle had already done similar things with songs about those events, so it wasn't entirely fresh.

It's a decent song, not great.

[blinker12]

There was no harmony or melody on that day....

I didn't feel the 9/11 reference... I got overwhelmed by it.

Exactly my feelings, Rodeo. True, the song goes absolutely nowhere melodically or harmonically. It's the same chord progression over and over, and the only thing that changes significantly about the melody is the rhythm. But I think that's part of the point _ after the towers collapsed, a chilling stasis descended on New York. I've never seen the city so still.

More than any other song I've heard, "Illume" brought me back to what I felt on 9-11:

I'm alone now
With my thoughts
How we could make it
How we could get out

Those lines, on their own, are brilliant. But when you factor in Stevie's impassioned delivery _ forget it. I have chills going up my spine just thinking about this song. It's one of two on the CD ("Goodbye Baby" being the other) that reduced me to tears. I think it's an incredible track.

The only thing that bugs me is Lindsey's computer voice in the bridge.

[strandinthewind]

Originally posted by blinker12


I'm alone now
With my thoughts
How we could make it
How we could get out

Those lines, on their own, are brilliant. But when you factor in Stevie's impassioned delivery _ forget it.

especially when she belts them toward the end. Chills, Chills, Chills!!!!

[gypsysara]

I agree there ~ When Stevie's voice gets stronger at the end with the verses... very powerful stuff. You can feel the intensity of her feelings from that moment.

Seems to me you either love this song or really dislike it... personally I love it!

[rhiannon1119]

I was expecting something totally different, but when I heard this song for the first time.. I got chills and it captured a lot of what I felt on that horrific day. I love her voice towards the end too!

Michelle