The radio stations, MTV, VH1, and the general public have
finally caught on to Everything But the Girl's latest (1994)
release of Amplified Heart. Everywhere I go, I hear the
remixed and re-released version of "Missing" on Top 40,
Adult Contemporary, those corporate video cable channels,
and alternative stations. It's about time EBTG is finally
getting some recognition.
EBTG has put out wonderful releases in the last ten years or
so, but they have had a smaller following in the States.
Hopefully, this album will get them the recognition they
deserve. Amplified Heart is an acoustic album, with minimal
instrumentation and beautiful vocals. Tracey Thorn's voice
creates an air of sadness, longing, and regret that executes
the lyrics of each song in perfect harmony. Most of the
songs deal with relationships - their demise, the road to
the demise, and regret at their failure.
Although Missing has been getting the most airplay (you've
heard the dance remix and the techno remix), this whole
album desee techno remix), this whole
album deserves your full attention. Each song is well
crafted, the lyrics ring true, and Tracey and Ben's vocals
have a way of forcing you to stop and listen. They don't
have to be loud; the seeming simplicity of this album makes
it seem all the more attention grabbing. It's hard for me
to choose the songs that I think are best, but the ones I
enjoy most are Rollercoaster, Troubled Mind, I Don't
Understand Anything, Get Me, and Disenchanted.
I had a hard time writing this review because I don't want
to share this album with the teeming masses who only enjoy
the hits on the charts. EBTG has been a fave of mine since
the 80's, and it's difficult to share musically what people
didn't recognize even then. However, I feel that EBTG
deserves to be recognized and bought madly. If you enjoy
this album, please check out their other releases which are
also talented.
