The Other Side of the Mirror - Page 2

amber · #16 10-19-2004, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

I think that album was a case of the material being so strong and heartfelt for some particular reason that even lackluster production didn't hinder it much.

Also, in a way, I kind of like the production *ducks* - I mean, it's a bit over, but it does add drama to the songs.

and the songs themselves don't have an incredible amount of vocal range on them, so that is good. They have an ok amount of vocal range, though, don't get me wrong...

AliceLover · #17 10-19-2004, 03:33 PM

Other Side of the Mirror is MY FAVORITE STEVIE ALBUM! I mean just look at my user name lol! I go through every song on this record without skipping one track, and i cant say the same for WH or RAL. The tour I thought was fantastic, even though she did have her bad nights. When she had her good nights (Ireland 89) she was really on fire. Im so glad she did Alice Live because it was done so well and it is my favorite.

BEST ALBUM EVER!

Jimmy

rbs3676 · #18 10-19-2004, 04:13 PM

TOSOTM was, indeed, a concept album on many levels. It has a "magic" quality about it...both in it's packaging, it's themes and even in the production. While Rupert's "sound" is not my favorite (I'm a Tom Petty/Jimmy Iovine kind of guy), he brought out a new quality in Stevie that had never been heard of before and certainly hasn't come through again. TOSOTM is unique in that this was her last full Modern Records release of new material and it was the first release she'd had as a sober performer (if you dont include the Tango cd). The whole Alice in Wonderland imagery worked for Stevie and the Rooms On Fire video was fabulous. But, in all the press she did for this CD, she seemed very sad - not the upbeat, very funny Stevie that I had adored since '75. Something was very wrong -- we know now that Klonopin had her heavily sedated and it showed in the tour she did behind this record. I went to about 3 or 4 shows on that tour and it was her weakest band ever. I was in Houston the night she filmed the Whole Lotta Trouble video and that was a blast -- but other than that, this was a very lackluster tour and her performance level was not up to par and certainly NOTHING like the Timespace tour where she was ON FIRE!
TOSOTM was the CD that I was waiting for in regards to hearing Stevie tell of her rehabilitation from cocaine. There are glimpses here and there...but the overall theme from this CD was that she was struggling with many things..."So I'm going back..to the other side of the mirror...I'm going back". It worked very well. I think this is a fabulous release.

DeadliestPoison · #19 10-19-2004, 04:19 PM

Oh, please, do I even have to post in this thread? Y'all know I love this album. And her voice on it, etc. (Hi, diss!

)

So, uh. Love it. Best album ever, best Stevie album. Really good in wintertime. I'm surprised so many people like it - I thought it was seen as one of the "red-headed stepchild" albums. Aaaw.

Now where's the RAL Appreciation Thread?

diamondsnake · #20 10-19-2004, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

A feel good album?

Well I meant Rooms on Fire was a feel good song. When the album opens it makes me happy but by the end it is intense and depressing (but in a good way).

Dreammms · #21 10-19-2004, 05:25 PM

I LOVE this album. The only song I don't like is Cry Wolf.

diamondsnake · #22 10-19-2004, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbs3676

TOSOTM was, indeed, a concept album on many levels. It has a "magic" quality about it...both in it's packaging, it's themes and even in the production. While Rupert's "sound" is not my favorite (I'm a Tom Petty/Jimmy Iovine kind of guy), he brought out a new quality in Stevie that had never been heard of before and certainly hasn't come through again. TOSOTM is unique in that this was her last full Modern Records release of new material and it was the first release she'd had as a sober performer (if you dont include the Tango cd). The whole Alice in Wonderland imagery worked for Stevie and the Rooms On Fire video was fabulous. But, in all the press she did for this CD, she seemed very sad - not the upbeat, very funny Stevie that I had adored since '75. Something was very wrong -- we know now that Klonopin had her heavily sedated and it showed in the tour she did behind this record. I went to about 3 or 4 shows on that tour and it was her weakest band ever. I was in Houston the night she filmed the Whole Lotta Trouble video and that was a blast -- but other than that, this was a very lackluster tour and her performance level was not up to par and certainly NOTHING like the Timespace tour where she was ON FIRE!
TOSOTM was the CD that I was waiting for in regards to hearing Stevie tell of her rehabilitation from cocaine. There are glimpses here and there...but the overall theme from this CD was that she was struggling with many things..."So I'm going back..to the other side of the mirror...I'm going back". It worked very well. I think this is a fabulous release.

I think Alice and Doing the Best That I Can are both obviously about drugs and the album may have been too rich if they opted for more "rehab/drug addiction" songs. I think it is perfect the way it is. This is my favorite Stevie album and I don't skip one song on it.

dissention · #23 10-19-2004, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeadliestPoison

Now where's the RAL Appreciation Thread?

Not here, and hopefully never.

markolas · #24 10-19-2004, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

Not here, and hopefully never.

Someone should start one. RAL is my fave after OSOTM.

dissention · #25 10-19-2004, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markolas

Someone should start one. RAL is my fave after OSOTM.

Ugh. I always wondered how I could have so much disdain for that album, but alas, I despise it.

Johnny Stew · #26 10-19-2004, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markolas

Someone should start one. RAL is my fave after OSOTM.

'RAL' is my second favorite Stevie album (tied with 'Shangri-La').
In my opinion, it's her 'Tusk'... it's unbridled, eccentric, moody, headstrong and full of life.
Sure, it's "synthy," but there are plenty of electric guitars to give it crunch, and Stevie's vocals are untamed and off-the-cuff.

Sometimes it surprises me that more people don't like the album... but other times, it doesn't surprise me at all.

As for 'Mirror'... I quite like it. The lyrics and Stevie's vocals are definitely the best thing about it though. Rupert Hine's production was great for Tina Turner, but was, at times, too icy and aloof for Stevie. But, still, the album has an interesting vibe to it, and a certain je ne sais quoi.

takenbythesky · #27 10-20-2004, 12:40 AM

I really like The Other Side Of The Mirror. It's a concept album of sorts with some very introspective lyrics. Sometimes the synth-heavy approach works, sometimes it doesn't. It isn't my favorite album of Miss Nicks', but I listen to it fairly often. Especially on warm summer nights or cold rainy ones.

My favorites are...Rooms on Fire, Long Way To Go, Ooh My Love, Ghosts, Doing the Best I Can (Escape from Berlin). Cry Wolf is very dramatic and Stevie gives a good performance. I Still Miss Someone is highly emotional. Fire Burning is fun. Somehow, Alice manages to be both just an okay song and an example of Stevie's genius (the using of Alice In Wonderland as a metaphor for recovering from drug abuse). Whole Lotta Trouble is a fun, harmless little boogeying number; I just cannot figure out why Stevie was nominated for a Grammy for her performance.

And...I think Juliet and Two Kinds of Love just aren't that great. Still, the album has a magical feeling and a special place in my heart. ROF, OML, Ghosts, and Doing the Best I Can are all master strokes in their own ways.

amber · #28 10-20-2004, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreammms

I LOVE this album. The only song I don't like is Cry Wolf.

*gasp* but why not? though, i don't like Alice much, so...although i like the lyrics a lot, just not the music. Anyways. but it's weird cause i liked cry wolf first...

Gypsy-Rhiannon · #29 10-20-2004, 04:07 AM

I've always been a huge fan of this album! This was the first time I saw Stevie in concert too. In fact it was the first time I had seen any of FM live cause the first FM concert I went to was in 91

Pip

#30 10-20-2004, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amber

*gasp* but why not? though, i don't like Alice much, so...although i like the lyrics a lot, just not the music. Anyways. but it's weird cause i liked cry wolf first...

somethning about "cry wolf" annoyed me way back then. i like it now though...just cringe at the end when she goes "WAAAAAANCE too often"