Advantages: Carlton has clearly had more creative input on this record
Disadvantages: That's not always a good thing, some songs are a bit samey

...Carlton has returned with her second album after a long break from the spotlight. The longevity of the recording process definitely shows on the record. It is clear to see that Carlton has matured immensely during her break and her songs now contain a great deal of hindsight, dealing with growing up, becoming a woman and gaining independence from her family. The stand out tracks for me are definitely tracks 2,3 and 4. 'Who's To Say' has been on repeat for weeks. 'Annie' is the most heart-wrenching song, written for a young dying girl. 'San Francisco' is probably the most upbeat and catchy song. Along with the hit single White Houses and catchy 'Private Radio' it makes for a great album. The less impressive tracks for me would be the the last 2, 'She Floats' and 'The Wreckage'. Much like her first album, 'Be... Read review

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Advantages: fresh, deep, intelligent & interesting
Disadvantages: Albums songs are very similar

...When I first heard the song "thousand miles", it was on the radio, I heard only the song, with no introductions. I was amazed. Rarely have I heard such an ability to combine good music, with modern music. I felt enriched having listened to the lyrics, and was amazed by the piano - which at the time, I assumed to be synthesised or played by a pianist. It was not until I found out that Vanessa Carlton wrote, sang and performed all the lyrics and music, that I fell totally in love with the music. If I could recommend an album to anyone this year, this would be it. It is modern enough to meet the requirements of younger audiences, and elder, music fans will be enthralled by the complexity of the music and lyrics. For such a young woman, she plays the piano with magical elegance, and sings in such a way that will have anyone wanting... Read review

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Advantages: An improvement on her debut
Disadvantages: Not easy to find cheaply

...A few years ago, a quartet of female solo singer-songwriters all appeared out of American in the same time, with varying sounds and varying degrees of success. Norah Jones went on the win several Grammy Awards; Avril Lavigne got the attention of the popular press and subsequently married some bloke out of Sum 41 and Michelle Branch got to work with such big names as Sheryl Crow and Santana, also winning a Grammy Award. However they achieved their success, they all managed to release a second album not too long after their first and Lavigne and Jones have recently managed a third. The fourth member of this little group, Vanessa Carlton, didn’t fare so well. Apart from a supporting role on the Counting Crows’ version of “Big Yellow Taxi”, the film “Two Weeks Notice”, she seemed to have vanished. Indeed, it was only by chance browsing... Read review

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Advantages: See op
Disadvantages: See op

...THE QUICK REVIEW (For those in a hurry) "Be Not Nobody" is the first album from young singer-songwriter Vanessa Carlton. Named by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the "Top 10 Artists to Watch in 2002", she's currently making an impact in the UK with the catchy debut single "A Thousand Miles", which has already been a huge hit in the States. With a distinctive voice and a huge piano talent she introduces us to a unique sound and a journey through highs and lows and a few bits in the middle too. Coz she plays the piano and sings, of course Tori Amos, Sarah McLachlan and Fiona Apple comparisons will abound, but Vanessa is no copycat, she has her own distinctive sound. A talented pianist, vocalist and songwriter, this is an impressive debut. It's not an album you can pigeon-hole, with influences and styles ranging through pop, rock... Read review

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Advantages: A couple of decent heavy pop tracks
Disadvantages: Not consistent enough, quality wise

...When I wrote about Vanessa Carlton a few months ago, the comments section of that opinion quickly became an advert for Michelle Branch. Having grouped Carlton together with Avril Lavigne and Norah Jones and one of a group of singer songwriters appearing from the US in recent times, I was chastised for neglecting to mention Michelle Branch. The reason for this being that I didn’t really know a great deal about Michelle Branch. Hers was a name I’d heard of, and had read good things about, but hadn’t taken the plunge with. But, having also been told that Michelle Branch would possibly be more to my taste, I decided to take the plunge. For no other reason than I’d just missed my train home from work and saw it sitting there in a record shop. The place is called “Impulse” for a reason, and I suspect I may be that reason! Much like... Read review

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Advantages: Good voice, own music
Disadvantages: Nothing that stands out

...skater-pop-punk-whatever you call it these days kind of sound. By comparison, Vanessa Carlton has taken a very middle of the road pop sound, involving just her and a piano. Comparisons to Tori Amos and Kate Bush have been bandied around, much to Carlton’s own disgust. You can see that the image is the same, but Carlton shows little of the quirkiness of those two, and certainly appeals to me musically in a way Bush and Amos never did. Vanessa Carlton is very much the Dire Straits of the trio, doing things very competently, but not in a way that grabs you by the throat. She’s a brunette rather than a redhead, too, which means comparisons also fail on that score. While they appear to have a fiery edge. Vanessa Carlton reminds me very much of Ciaoer goodasgold, in that she’s beautiful in a very elfin, laid back way. Anyone who’s met... Read review

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Advantages: Very talented, some great songs
Disadvantages: Nearly all ballad-type songs

...INTRODUCTION As most people who have read any of my past music reviews will know, I have a serious aversion to the common ballad. Obviously, I do like the occasional slowie - once upon a time there used to be great ballads out there, you just need to look at the eighties and early nineties to see some fantastic examples of the genre. It's more the generic Westlife type ballad I am firmly against. Still, you wouldn't expect me to enjoy an album that is made up of a variety of slow songs. Yet Vanessa Carlton's "Be Not Nobody" album has been one of my favourite cds since I bought it three summers ago. Initially I identified with it because I had just broken up with someone at the time, was feeling really depressed and could identify with the emotion in the songs. But the more I listened, the more I realised just how good an album... Read review

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Advantages: amazing voice, songs, writing technique and attitude
Disadvantages: same genre of songs

...Just like The Rolling Stones said, Vanessa Carlton is definitely the Top Ten Artists to watch out for in 2002. My favourite songs if Pretty Baby. Her songs are enchanting and the words so powerful that you would not believe that it is coming from an 18 year old. She must have experienced a lot in life to write such in-depth lyrics. All her songs send chills to your spines and send you to a fantasy world of pain and pleasure. Carlton has also made a brilliant cover of Rolling Stone's Paint It Black. She is and inspirational singer/song writer and I can't wait for her later albums in life because I believe only outstanding songs can come from her heart, mind and hand. 1) Ordinary Day This is the most beautiful song with powerful vocals. Van released this as her second single but it didn’t do that well in the charts... Read review

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Advantages: laid-back, upbeat sound
Disadvantages: could be longer!

..., as they are becoming the main focus of the song. Another fairly angst-ridden song that will tug at your heartstrings – the way Branch sings the song you can tell she means it. Next is a balled with a twist – the unusual title of Tuesday Morning immediately drew me to it. Again you can feel the emotion in the song and the gentle backing track plays along as a quiet accompaniment to the power chorus. This track is definitely one of my favourites. One Of These Days sticks to the slow-tempo format. It is another ballad, but has more obvious lyrics than the previous track. This one shows off the range of Michelle’s voice but unfortunately is missing the guitars, which are often the key to the good songs on the album. Still a beautiful song with a beautiful melody though; it’s one for fans of Vanessa Carlton. Just as I started to worry that the whole album... Read review

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Advantages: Beautifully crafted songs, with a great voice
Disadvantages: The backing instruments occasionally overshadow the vocals

...and Jason. Interestingly, her debut song was a track performed in character on the show, much akin to Nick Berry on EastEnders so many years ago. Again, though, hardly an encouragement, given how his musical career went. Having heard the single “Lost Without You” on the music channels, I was tempted to give the album a go. Having enjoyed Vanessa Carlton’s “Be Not Nobody”, I was intrigued by another new artist sounding a little similar. The title track “Innocent Eyes”, though, had that little extra that had me reaching for my wallet, promising a fuller and more rounded sound than Vanessa Carlton. The album opener “Born To Try” was the song Delta sang on “Neighbours” and gave her that all important first break. It has that “Every Loser Wins” kind of style to it, in that it’s a simply put together ballad with just a voice and a piano... Read review

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