OSOTM

[estranged4life]

the production on OSOTM sounds like the production Rupert Hine's used for Rush's 1989 release "Presto". Both these albums have the sound that's typical of a Hine's production...Kinda ironic though that both were released in 1989 and on Atlantic labels...Brian

[Sorcerer386]

Well, the reason I say the album is so much more magical and mystical is because, first of all with all the different synthesizer sounds it just sounds like magic, and second of all because it's got a lot of fairy-tailish things in it. Ooh My Love with the castles, Ghosts, Cry Wolf, Alice, and Juliet, the last three being stories outside of the songs. With the realization (thanks to Johnny Stew) of Have No Heart, I really think that song would have been good on OSOTM, even though it obviously was written much later. But, it's just my opinion of how magical it is, and actually, that's what first attracted me to the album. It's just, to me, so different than anything else. As for Street Angel, the only problem I've ever seen with it is it's time of release. Music turned so terribly angst-like and grungy that by 1994, no one really wanted to hear about her type of songs. The majority of music fans seemed to just want to hear muffled guitar rock and artists singing about how terrible life is. I'm so sick of the "muffled guitar" sound that people like Creed, Puddle of Mudd, and Nickelback have. My mom gets confused because, and it's true imo, most of it sounds the same. Stevie might say OSOTM is more real, but I don't see how she can say it goes back to her roots, because it's definitely different than her style of the 70's and early 80's, musically anyway. And again, that's what I like about it...it's just so different to me. And imo, the songs are much more poetic and visual, and much more story-like. A lot of her songs are hard to get, but I get most of the songs on here with the exception of one in particular...Whole Lotta Trouble. I just wish I knew what that song was about.

[Ghosty]

I think that is also part of what Stevie said about OSOTM. In it being more "real" - and that it is more clearly understood and written. People do seem to "get" the songs on it more than some of her previous ones. And also she mentioned she basically "hid" less and was very honest and open in those songs. I think you hear more pain and stress of her life in that album too. She mentioned something to the effect of it being very honest. Which I think is another reason people love it. So yes, all her stuff to me seems magical. It really does. And with song titles like Ghosts and Alice and Juliet - it is a bit fantasy sounding. But all those songs then get into really deep and closely personal stuff with her. I think that is what that interview I saw was basically saying. And it seems that way to me too. No, it's not back to her roots. I never heard anything about that. It was quite different, or so it seemed to me.

Again, I think I just was not crazy about the producer.

[sara1998]

It was about 6 years ago that I sat and really listen to OSTOM, and I was in love. I'm not going to argue about it, you like what you like, and it's your own opinion. But it's just got this cool sound to it; the album just seems to flow, and it's easy for me to get caught up in it. I can't drive and listen to it, because I want to listen with my eyes closed and feel every note.... (please don't think I'm strange, LOL!!) It is one of my Stevie solo faves.

Maria

[sisterofthemoon]

OSOTM is probably my favorite Stevie album. Ooh My Love is so beautiful. The whole album is so gorgeous.

[blinker12]

Interesting discussion!
I've always really liked "Mirror." I started getting into Mac in 1990, around the time of "Behind the Mask," and "Mirror" was the first Stevie solo album I heard. I think the songwriting is very strong: "Rooms On Fire," "Ooh My Love" and "Ghosts" rank among her best songs, in my opinion. A lot of Stevie's songs are more about having a groove than a strong melody, but those three are exceptions. Other people could cover them, and they'd still be great songs.
Sometimes, the production overwhelms the tunes. "Two Kinds of Love" is an example. I like the melody, but the sax and tinkling synths drench it in too much sonic syrup. And let's not even talk about "I Still Miss Someone."
Another complaint: I really dislike "Whole Lotta Trouble." I know Stevie really digs it, but I just find it kind of ugly.
But apart from those three tracks, I truly enjoy everything on OSOTM. I rank it right after Bella Donna and TISL.

[itsmeangie]

it never really rocked my world.
i enjoy the album lyrically and each song has something to offer, but for me it lacked something i can't put my finger on. it probably has something to do with rupert hine. like someone stated earlier, i think the album would've fared better in the hands of a different producer.

*angie

[The Tower]

Mirror has many facets. You can't really absorb it all as ONE package.

First, the production. A complete departure from her previous three solo albums. Bella Donna and Wild Heart were completely controlled by Jimmy Iovine and Shelly Yakus. Rock A Little was a patchwork of producers and the bottoming out of Stevie's cocaine thang. After all that, Rupine Hine came in and put his stamp on EVERYTHING. Co-writing songs, producing and arranging the entire album.

Second, the "demo" songs. "Cry Wolf"and "I Still Miss Someone" are pretty weak. With Rupert Hine in control, no one but Stevie knows whether or not she actually wanted these songs on the album. People tend to think that artists have a lot of control with regard to the sound of their album and the songs that are on it- but in reality, most artists don't have that kind of control.

Third, the songwriting. I think Mirror has the most honest, straight-forward songwriting of Stevie's career. The purest songs- i.e. the songs written solely by Stevie ("Juliet" "Doing the Best That I Can"), tend to have the most impact. "Ghosts" has got to be the most honest song she ever wrote. It's a direct reflection of her life and a look back on her past.

Fourth, the singing. This album was definitely the beginning of a new phase for her voice, but she still kicks ass. Just listen to "Juliet" and "Whole Lotta Trouble". Not forgetting Stevie's background vocals on "Long Way to Go" ("Can I be of any help to YOU!!!" ). Blistering!

If you separate the production from Stevie, you'll realize how good this material really is. I have the songbook at home on my piano and play a lot of these songs frequently. "Ooh My Love" is a triumph! The basic chords and melody give me goosebumps everytime- just on the piano.

On the other hand- the majority of Street Angel is pretty weak. "Docklands" "Unconditional Love", and "Greta" are really awful. The only highlights are "Blue Denim", "Love Is Like a River", "Rose Garden" and "Jane".

[violetmemoriez]

one of my fave albums is rock a little, it's ace!!! I really love OSOTM, but songs like maybe love from SA I can't believe she wrote, I only like the actual song street angel and a couple of others from that album!

Becka

[jwd]

Just to borrow from angie's line...."it never really rocked my world".....nor did it mine. For me it was more of an escape album. Something you could put on and just forget about everything that was going on. A group of songs that would take you to "the other side of the mirror". I've always had a strong affection for this album...the magic one, yes indeed. I do agree however that the production was lacking and could have been done a lot better if Stevie had more "control" at the time. I definitely would rank "Mirror" over SA(an incoherent mess.....if I do say so myself)!


Joe

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

but songs like maybe love from SA I can't believe she wrote

Do you mean Maybe Love WIll Change Your Mind??? Stevie didn;t write it....it was written by Rick Nowels and Sandy Stewart

Pip

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

OSOTM is probably my favorite Stevie album. Ooh My Love is so beautiful. The whole album is so gorgeous.

I totally agree....I love this album (though I do find Blues Eyes a tad irritating...hehehe)

Pip

[violetmemoriez]

Do you mean Maybe Love WIll Change Your Mind??? Stevie didn;t write it....it was written by Rick Nowels and Sandy Stewart

ooh phew! lol

Becka

[Ghosty]

I think OSOTM would have been better with a different producer. I love the demo for Whole Lotta Trouble that has a very raw sound to it. You can barely hear any horns, if at all. You hear a lot of strong, blues kind of bass and guitar. I really love it. But how it came out on OSOTM - eh, it's so-so. Where as I LOVE the demo. Same with Juliet. I like the demo better. I heard Stevie say that she had a whole bunch of demos and she handed them all over and let Rupert pick which ones to put on the album because she just couldn't decide (like, she loved all the songs so much, she didn't have the heart to drop any).

But I love Street Angel. I like the song Maybe Love, even though she didn't write it. I really like the music and guitar in it. I read a review that called it something like 'babbling brook" guitars (it was said as a compliment) and I liked how they described it. I LOVE Greta, and Kick It! And Blue Denim. I amnot so crazy about the song Street Angel. I think there could have been a few songs dropped, and a few others added (like, She Still Loves Him and Tied Up In Promises) that would have made it great. Somewhere in one of these posts I "put together" what my ultimate idea for Street Angel would have been. It was fun! I think I might make my own tape of songs and create my own little "should'a been" Street Angel cd!

[sisterofthemoon]

Originally posted by Gypsy-Rhiannon


I totally agree....I love this album (though I do find Blues Eyes a tad irritating...hehehe)

Pip

I'm glad you agree...you're right though. i can't even listen to Blue eyes. It's just so.....not Stevie.