Music : The Pink and The Lily

Rating: - Totally agree with the consensus-not groundbreaking, but why does that matter?
This album can in no way be described as groundbreaking-but who cares-it takes the best parts of 'Smile' and builds upon them-for me 'Smile' was good and at times great, but it didn't quite work as a whole, whereas this album most definitely does and to be honest there's not a bad track on it:
1.The Devils Beat-Not a great choice of single, but I do like it and it probably is the most original track. 7.5/10
2.Shape I'm In-Generic pop and I love it! Catchy and melodic; brill vocals! 9/10
3.Wounded Hearts-My least favourite song on the album-forgettable. 6/10
4.Saturday Night-Catchy pop ditty! 8/10
5.Beatbox-Growing on me immensely, an intelligent song. 8/10
6.Remote Control Me-Great fun and what Sandi does absolutely best! 10/10
7.Success's Ladder-Totally contrasting from the previous song, but equally as brilliant. A haunting song-great lyrics. 10/10
8.Mirrors-A catchy ballad-great! 9/10
9.Music In My Soul-Absolutely great! This is up there with the best on the album. 10/10
10.The Pink and The Lily-A folky ditty-I like it. 8/10
11.I'm A Human Being-Amazingly catchy, a super song! 10/10
12.The Last Picturehouse-A great ballad, which begins phenomenally and is let down only by its chorus. 9/10
13.My Ungrateful Heart-A generic ballad. 7/10

A folky, harmonica driven album!

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Rating: - Better Than Her First!
I'm puzzled as to why I have seen so many less than positive reviews about Sandi Thom's "The Pink and the Lily," and I have to ask myself why? I special ordered this from Amazon, because I live in the United States and it's not available, and have not regretted it.

1. The Devil's Beat 9/10 - Great choice for a single. Love both the lyrics and the music. The viola (cello, perhaps?) does the song justice. The song has a real attitude to it to make any Sandi Thom happy.

2. Shape I'm In 8/10 - This may be my least favorite song, but it's still a pretty good song. The lyrics really make the song great. "I don't need to know, what's comin' round the bend, cause I'm gonna keep my shape, no matter what shape I'm in..."

3. Wounded Hearts 8/10 - The song continues to grow on me. Sandi Thom really puts her voice to good use, she sounds really great. Sandi also wrote the lyrics and music to this song, so that makes me love it that much more.

4. Saturday Night 9/10 - This song is slated to be her second single and it's a great choice because this is a real "fun" song. "There's only one Saturday Night in every week..."

5. Beatbox 9.5/10 - At first, I didn't like this song all that much. But then one day, I just couldn't stop listening to it. The best part is near the end when it's just Sandi's voice, because it really shines.

6. Remote Control Me 9.5/10 - Entertaining, tongue-in-cheek song. I'm a big T.V. watcher and I can't help but laugh out loud when I hear this song. It's great and will put anyone who listens to it in a good mood.

7. Success's Ladder 9/10 - The best part of this song is the very beginning. It kind of has a "I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker" feel to it because it starts out with Sandi's voice alone, although it's very different.

8. Mirrors 10/10 - This song really gets to me. I love the lyrics, the music and Sandi's voice. It's all about looking back at one's life and really remembering it, so everyone can relate to it. "They don't make mirrors like they use to..."

9. Music in My Soul 10/10 - Probably my favorite song on the entire album. Everything about this song is amazing. I love how she recalls her younger years and the chorus is awesome.

10. The Pink and the Lily 9.5/10 - How do I describe this song? It's not just Sandi telling a story about two bar owners in love and their child, but also directs it toward the listener. I think it's really great how she calls everyone to get up on their rooftops (but you've got to listen to it first!)

11. I'm a Human Being 10/10 - This song is completely different than all her other songs. Sandi takes a risk and it really pulls through. The lyrics are thought provoking, the music is so fun to listen to, and Sandi's voice, as always, is spectacular.

12. The Last Picturehouse 10/10 - This is also another song that really touches my heart and you can tell this song affects Sandi as well, just listen to her voice. It's all about the yester-years of the early 1900's with picturehouses (cinemas). The piano also fits perfectly in this song.

13. My Ungrateful Heart 9/10 - Great song to really wrap up the album. The viola (again, maybe a cello?) goes hand in hand with the sweetness in Sandi's voice.

Hopefully this will persuade both people who have heard of Sandi Thom, and those who maybe aren't sure who she is. Sandi breaks away from her "girl with a guitar" persona and really broadens the scope with this album. More intrumentation and two years under her belt has really made what this album truly is... an underrated masterpiece.

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Rating: - a hugely under rated talent
in many ways "punk rocker" has been both a blessing and curse for sandi thom. it was such a huge success and polarized opinion to such a degree that what she has done subsequently has tended to be overlooked. there is much to enjoy though both with her debut album and "the pink & the lily". wonderful acoustic pop music with hooks that get in your head on first listen. uncomplicated, honest, feel good music that is quite honestly a breath of fresh air. recommended.

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Rating: - Excellent
This album doesn't have to be "groundbreaking" whatever that means. It's choc full of intelligently warm, catchy, melodic music, made and sung by someone who still seems to know what making music is. An absolutely incredible album, it's more of the same, but then, that exactly what is so damn good about it. Vastly under-rated. 10 stars.

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Rating: - Accomplished but not groundbreaking
People are not going to look back on this album as one of the great milestones of pop history. It doesn't break any new ground. That said, there's nothing wrong with it. It's more of the same from Miss Thom, her characteristic upbeat pop/folk/rock style peppered with a couple of more thoughtful pieces. Her music suits her voice and her voice suits her music. If you liked Smile you'll like this, if you didn't you won't. If you're looking for radically new and original stuff, you won't really find it here, but if you're looking for a decent, easy listening, inoffensive album to while away 44 minutes and 32 seconds in a good mood, this'll do you.