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Post by ocelot on Oct 21, 2006 15:21:45 GMT -5
Here is where to post your reviews and discussions for the 'Nue' Challenge. ;D
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Post by ocelot on Oct 21, 2006 16:10:17 GMT -5
My Nue Review
J'Y Crois Encore 10/10
The first song on the album, the first single off the album. It's one of the most beautiful overcoming songs. Lara's voice shines in this song. The song is very versatile in the way that it can be about overcoming almost anything.
Aimer Deja 10/10
This is one of the most beautiful breakup songs I've heard (probably second after "Broken Vow"). It's not about hating the other person. It's not about how they hurt her. It's about the fact that what the other person gave was not for her and she could do better. She could find a better love.
"This you will never understand I learned through these tears That it is necessary to love better than that"
I absolutely love the melody. Lara's voice just flows through this song. Her voice tells of emotions, she was hurt but she knows she needs more so it's okay.
S'En Aller 10/10
The rhythm is great in this song, but the best part is the lyrics. It's about realizing you have to leave to find yourself again. That person won't be ther same as before. It's when you step away that you see the truth, the whole truth (too many of us fight for something without stepping back and seeing it from all sides, and therefore not seeing the whole truth). Everything is found when you lose yourself but then step away and find yourself again. This is definitely not a superficial pop track.
"There it's the moment Of the truth Truly And then to go away There it's the moment For all to acknowledge To declare clearly The whole truth"
Silence 10/10
A song of wisdom. What Lara has learned through her pain and distress she is letting you know. The rhythm is so catchy that the wisdom can be lost.
"This that helped me It's not really that which hurts But rather the noise That awaits us when this that remains Is a defiance That fills the space That no word replaces"
Parce Que Tu Pars 10/10
The pain of a breakup. The emotion in the lyrics combined with the emotion in Lara's voice makes this one of the most powerful breakup songs I've heard. It's not only the pain, but also the fact that she doesn't understand.
"I am there so as not to regret the absence Of the words and bonds that prevent the silence Say to me if you please that one will see too late The last confession is it this look?"
Je Suis Mon Coeur 10/10
There are so many fears, so much longing, and so many questions but in the end Lara knows that "I am my heart". I love the vulnerability in Lara's voice in this song. She is so often so powerful but to strip that all away is absolutely beautiful.
"Even if that disturbs My life and good sense I cannot Let it pass me like that"
Tango 10/10
Melody and harmony wise this song is one of my favourite songs. It's the confusion, the tango of emotions that make this song. You can almost feel in Lara's voice the dancing and fighting emotions that she sings about in the song.
Imagine 8/10
The reason this track did not get a 10/10 is that I have trouble getting into it, which is probably due to my not so good french and the fact that most of the song is spoken. The words though, are some of the most beautiful that I have ever heard.
Tu Es Mon Autre 9/10
This is a beautiful song about a person who is your other half. What I love about this song is that it doesn't limit itself to a lover, it could be a co-writer, best friend, or fellow musician.
Rio 9/10
This is a song Lara wrote about Rio (Brazil). To my brief knowledge of Rio I think Lara captured the spirit of the city very well. It's a beautiful song with a great melody.
Bambina 8/10
I'm not totally sure what this song is about. I'm not sure if sh'e talking about what she wanted as a little child or a child she used to know. It's a song I can't totally get into but Lara does a great job of drawing me in.
Immortelle 10/10
This is an absolutely beautiful song. I love the arrangement of it. The choir in the background and Lara's voice in front create a beautiful vision of music. The lyrics are amazing.
"It will be fine to say to me that nothing was worth anything All this nothing is mine"
Le Roi Est Une Femme 9/10
Lara's voice soars in this song. It's a beautiful song. I don't feel it is quite as good as alot of the songs on the album.
Overall
This is one of the best albums I have ever heard. It's not a classic pop album. It's a classic piece of art.
Top 5 Songs
1. Aimer Deja 2. Je Suis Mon Coeur 3. J'y Crois Encore 4. Immortelle 5. Tango
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Post by achebeautiful on Oct 21, 2006 20:34:45 GMT -5
Great review Leona! Thanks!
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Post by lapayin on Oct 22, 2006 18:15:46 GMT -5
Wonderful review Leona.
I feel in this album Lara's writing is very intense and deep. I am struggling with some meanings. I was hoping to have mine done and posted tonight, but I won't. With luck I am planning for tomorrow night.
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Post by lapayin on Oct 23, 2006 20:36:08 GMT -5
This album contains Lara’s common subjects of love, love lost, terrible pain and strength to go on. But, I believe this album is an autobiographical journey through Lara’s different kinds of loves and self discoveries. It’s like, through her songs, Lara is having a discussion with us - her friends. Nue = naked. Lara is being stripped down to whom she really is; it’s a self inventory.
J’y Crois Encore - Self Discovery
This is a great song about rebounding from desperation.
The desperation: “From here nothing speaks, nothing moves, stopped on a living screen” “I do not recognize people anymore, alone at the depth of my hate, pain is my last lover”. How very poetic “pain is my last lover”. Awesome!!
The awakening: “Who does not really exist anymore, becomes the rebel again” Again great lyrics.
The renewal: “One is living as long as one is strong. One has faith as long as one endures.” “The silence was wrong. I believe again”. “The past is truly past to me”.
The music starts steady and builds to the awakening and renewal stages.
On a side note, this video is my favorite Lara video.
Aimer Deja – Self Discovery
I believe this song is about being in a bad relationship and the ability to realize it and remove oneself.
“What to make of the earth that does not turn. What to make of hell. I DO NOT DESCEND THERE.” “I will always go there where it is calm. I will always go there where it is right… This you will never understand.” “To breathe in the air. To breathe you out.” “But I don’t want of you, more than of me.”
The melody is light and simple.
S’en Aller – Self Discovery
I totally agree with Leona about this song being about one straying from their destiny, but then finding one’s self and getting back on track.
“As one loses oneself better to begin again.” “From one history to another you changed your reference” “All has changed, to become yourself again”. “As one returns, as one returns to oneself at last” “There this is the moment of the truth for all to acknowledge, to declare clearly the whole truth.”
All around great song – words, music, back up singers and the way Lara sings it.
Silence – Self Discovery
This song is all about soul searching.
”That awaits us when this that remains is a defiance that fills the space that no word replaces.” "It is the friend right at the bottom of a look that screams to us that one does not want to see.” “That leaves us at the end of this corridor, which regards us in this mirror and which resumes its place when one faces oneself again.”
This is yet another great all around song. All the pieces come together.
Parce Que Tu Pars - Self Discovery
These are interesting words that Lara put at the top of lyrics, in the CD booklet.
“Il y a des gens qui partent parce qu'ils ne nous aiment plus” “Il y a des gens qui partent parce qu'ils ne s'aiment plus”
“There are people who leave because they do not love us any more. There are people who leave because they do not like any more.”
When a relationship is over, there is nothing that can save it.
“The last confession is it this look?” “One will remain broken before the irreparable.”
But, if you don’t make the same mistakes, with a clear mind, if you want to, you can make the decision to go on and change your destiny.
“Swear it that this failure is not your future. This which will have occupied your head. Forget it so you can choose and if you want well one will break the jaws of this blow of destiny which renders one alone.”
The music sets the stage from the beginning. You can just feel the despair, seriousness and pain in the beat, as well in Lara’s voice. The POWER builds as does the pain and then almost a resignation. This song is incredible.
Je Suis Mon Coeur - Love
This song was not written by Lara but fits in very well to the overall theme.
I love this song. It’s my favorite from the album. It’s extremely emotional and moving. Lara sings it with such passion and feelings. The piano in the beginning is very sad and haunting. The piano and violin duet keeps this ghostly image toward the end.
One is haunted by bad memories that stir up unwanted longing and feelings, not wanting to give in but eventually does because “I am my heart”. “I am afraid of my longings of that which begin again. I am afraid to forget the evil that that does”. “To the heart of nowhere, where love drowns itself”. “When the happiness is there all to break for you.”
You can hear the fear and hesitation in Lara’s voice. My favorite version of this song is from En Toute Intimite. I love the way Lara vocalizes in that rendition.
Tango - Love
I believe this song is about the conflicting feelings of a purely physical love. She loses herself in him and feels a fierce passion. She wants to give in but doubt sets in and the conflict begins.
“I dance I fight I do not know I do not know.” “Animal or matador” “My body does not belong to you again and if my soul itself goes out”.
This song is very sensual. Wonderful guitar.
Imagine – Self Discovery
The words to this song, speak of a world where everyone is accepted and there are no prejudices.
“Imagine that love is the new hero and that our colors are exiled from our flags” “Imagine that an image be, beautiful from imperfection.” “Do not imagine anymore. While one speaks to you and me I already see our hands seizing a star.”
An image be beautiful FROM imperfection (not perfection) – simply awesome.
Tu Es Mon - Love
Lara wrote in the credits of this album:
“Cet album est dedie a ma maman..La Vita e belle” I believe it translates to “This album is dedicated to my mother. La Vita is beautiful.
Lara wrote these words before the lyrics, in the CD booklet, of Tu Es Mon Autre: “A toi Vita” “To you Vita”
At first I thought this song was about Rick Allison but now I believe this song is for Lara’s mother.
“You are my greatest mystery, my soul adjoining link”. “You, you are my other the strength of my faith, my weakness and my law, my insolence and my right.”
Rio - Love
Lara has a wonderful way of capturing the essence of a place. She does it here with “Rio” and she did with Canada, in “Je Me Souviens” I can picture this beautiful place - Rio - through Lara’s lyrics.
“Rio I speak of love”
Bambina – Self Discovery
The words before the lyrics in the CD booklet: “a l'enfant en nous” “The child in us”
I feel this song is about Lara - the child - that is still a part of her as an adult. While the child slowly disappears, as she grows older, she misses that part of her life.
“In this body I have your heart that beats.” “I sing at the top of my voice you will see I have the same voice.” “Nothing but a small space a very very small trace.”
This song has a great melody.
Immortelle - Love
This is another of Lara’s songs that has it all. It has great music and style. Lara sings with a lot of emotion and the common thread throughout this album – very poetic lyrics.
“If…I had left only a wing you would be that one. If…with only a shining thread you would be that one. If...I ran aground on an isle you would be that one.”
I love it when Lara vocalizes as she does at the end of this song. It’s like her voice is another instrument in the band.
Le Roi Est Une Femme - Love
The words Lara put in the booklet before the song lyrics. a toi Nonna a toi mon ile to you Nonna to you my island
Lara did not write this song but I bet she added it to this album in honor of her grandmother. I think Lara uses this song to compare her grandmother to Sicily.
“King of Sicile or of an isle also alone here the king is a woman” “My blood that I love passes to my heart”
She is comparing her love for her grandmother to her love of Sicily. Lara is so passionate in her singing of this song. The piano and violins compliment her voice so well. Awesome song.
I believe this is Lara’s best lyrical album. I am blown away by the song writing - so poetic and deep. I had a very difficult time analyzing the lyrics. I hope I did them correctly. The music is wonderful. Lara is in great voice. She is sharing her innermost thoughts and feelings with us. What an amazing lady. Leona said it best “It's a classic piece of art.” There is nothing I can add to that.
Favorite songs:
1) Je Suis Mon Coeur 2) Parce Que Tu Pas 3) Le Roi Est Une Femme 4) Sen Aller 5) Silence
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Post by achebeautiful on Oct 24, 2006 15:01:03 GMT -5
I really have to compliment both Leona and Paula on great reviews! They are both very enjoyable and interesting to read.
Just to let everyone know, I have started my review of the "Nue" album. I had every intention of doing a little each night and posting it by now, but again I am swamped with very long hours at work this week. It looks like I will not be able to dedicate the time I would like to this review until the weekend. Even then, there is little chance that I will be able to do as great a job as Leona and Paula have done with theirs!
Is there any chance Coenraad, Rachelle or Shavon will be joining this discussion? It would be great to have everyone participate!
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cppgenius
Full Member
The C++ Genius, Loyal Fan of Lara Fabian[Mo0:0]
Posts: 245
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Post by cppgenius on Oct 28, 2006 9:17:58 GMT -5
Great reviews Leona and Paula, it is great to see how similar our views on some of the songs are, shows you how simple and honest Lara's songs are at times (not always). I did something special with my review but it is not yet ready (the review is done but a few other things still has to be finalised). I hope it will be ready on Monday.
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cppgenius
Full Member
The C++ Genius, Loyal Fan of Lara Fabian[Mo0:0]
Posts: 245
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Post by cppgenius on Oct 30, 2006 17:02:56 GMT -5
Boy now I'm excited. I decided to make a big thing about this month's review after being absent from the forum for so long, so I decided to write it in article form and submit it to EzineArticles for approval. And guess what they approved it! You may find some things are common knowledge for big fans of Lara, but the article was aimed at the public, mostly people who doesn't understand French or never heard of Lara. Like you all know, I love promoting Lara's work out in the open and at the same time I hope this article will give great exposure for the forum, attracting other fans to join our colourful and exciting discussions. Below is a summary of my article followed by a link to the article itself. I hope you enjoy it: ----------------------- Why do a review of an album that was released more than 5 years ago? When it comes to the music of Lara Fabian, there is never a time limit on the lifespan of her music. Lara Fabian's music is immortal, universal and never attached to trends. This allows her music to stay applicable to the listener, no matter when you listen to it, whether it is during the initial release or 5 years after. Nue (which is French for Naked) is a theme that can be applied to most of Lara's albums. It is always amazing to see how she exposes herself through the downright honesty in her music. Read More: Lara Fabian: The Nue Album – Honesty And Integrity In The Purest Form
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Post by achebeautiful on Oct 30, 2006 22:53:32 GMT -5
Awesome review Coenraad!
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Post by achebeautiful on Oct 30, 2006 23:01:04 GMT -5
Nue Review
“Nue” is more than just my favorite Lara Fabian album. I would go as far as to say that it is one of the best albums ever….by any artist and of all time. In my opinion, it is truly a masterpiece, a great work of art from beginning to end and from a musical, lyrical and vocal perspective.
Many albums have standout songs. Many albums stand out as a complete body of work. “Nue” is both full of standout songs, and is a remarkable body of work.
Musically, Lara’s vocals compliment an amazing blend of classical and popular sound. The three instruments (Lara’s vocals, classical orchestration and electric pop stylings) create a timeless and extraordinary experience that rarely is reached in music.
1. J’y Crois Encore
“The rage in the belly…..”
Nobody sings more convincingly, more passionately than Lara Fabian. If she cannot give her all to the song, she does not sing it. She absolutely ‘becomes’ the song, and gives all of herself to it. This is what separates Lara Fabian from countless other great vocalists. Too many artists with great voices (names withheld) get by with just that….their great voices. But too many of those artists lack what those with lesser talents display, and that is passion. The truly beautiful thing about Lara Fabian is that she has a great voice, and displays as much if not more passion than anyone in the business! This not only makes her music convincing, but also sincere. You believe Lara when she sings, and because of that you feel let in by her honesty. That honesty challenges your own sincerity to where you find yourself relating with many of the emotions that Lara portrays in her songs. So when Lara sings:
“Isolated and overcome without doubt Alienated, not even a battle I would like them to bring me back I do not recognize people anymore Alone at the depth of my hatred Pain is my last lover”
….you can relate. It’s for that reason that you can also find strength in the strength that she provides in the words:
“I believe it again One is living as long as one is strong One has faith as long as one endures The rage in the belly I believe it again Forever to the death The silence was wrong I believe it again”
2. Aimer Deja
“I learned through these tears….”
This is such a strong and encouraging message. Here is a person who has come to the realization:
“That it is necessary to love better than that That the lies are like blades That split and I do not cut there”
Having the courage to see the relationship for what it is, she makes a bold decision:
“What to make of our wars I will not fall there Check and checkmate yesterday, I do not return there To learn and be quiet Sometimes to break To breathe in the air To breathe out you”
Like so many of Lara’s songs, there is no display of hatred involved, just simply a realization that the person that she is leaving is not willing to go after love with the same zeal as she.
3. S’en Aller
“It is the moment of truth….”
I remember reading once in the liner notes of another album:
“Four days alone with nothing. Emerge empowered… The first human face you see will knock you back 50%”
It’s about going away from it all to come back renewed to what you have become too accustomed. It’s about rediscovering you, and the world around you.
Awesome!
4. Silence
“Where sleep the dreams….”
Lara is teaching us what she herself has learned:
“I have so learned From these moments of distress And if I grew It is at the price of the fortress”
All the craziness, all the noise hides from us the dreams that lie sleeping beneath it all, only to be found when we are willing to get away from it all and “dream better since” by being in silence.
5. Parce Que Tu Pars
“ One will remain broken….”
This is a very sad song, filled with hopelessness, because there is an admittance that nothing can keep him, not even the happiness. I am really struck by the emotional vocals of Lara here. It is so convincingly sung that you almost feel as if she is singing it the moment he walks out the door.
6. Je Suis Mon Coeur
“I am afraid….”
This is an amazing song! Musically it is masterful, with the piano and violin creating such a haunting and subdued feel. There is so much personality alone just in the instrumentation of this song.
But the thing that really makes this song stand out are the lyrics. Once again Lara projects such strength in admitting her fears, and allowing her longing to see beyond them:
“Even if that disturbs My life and good sense I cannot Let it pass me like that”
I believe this song to be the keystone of the album.
7. Tango
“Your gestures remind me that you do not have on me The right that I have you, I dance and I fight”
This is an amazingly cinematic song. You can see it being played out every bit as much as you can feel it. Very tense, sensual and full of passion. Lara’s vocals are incredible on this song. She sings it with such deep conviction and soaring passion.
8. Imagine
“Do not imagine anymore While one speaks to you and me I already see our hands Seizing a star”
For all the hopes and dreams that this song speaks of, it is hard to actually ‘imagine’ any of it becoming a reality. But real hopes and dreams are born of just that….hopes and dreams. Great accomplishment is first borne through an idea. Lara invites us to close our eyes and ‘imagine’ the world the way it could and should be, as opposed to the way it actually is.
The great wisdom in the song is that it is in the imperfection is the beauty. That you and I could love each other in spite of and with all of our many flaws. That we can accept each other amidst our differences. That we can disagree and yet still not want to change one thing about the other because of our love and respect for the other.
For as unreal as it all seems to even imagine, it isn’t impossible to do. We can seize that star together.
Beautiful message!
9. Tu Es Mon Autre
“You are my greatest mystery My sole adjoining link”
A personal favorite for very personal reasons. Beethoven had his ‘Immortal Beloved’, and I have my ‘only contiguous bond’.
10. Rio
“There's a lot of pain I am no longer the same”
A beautiful song that captures the essence of Rio in Lara’s heart. The city obviously changed her, or at the least touched her in a profound way. I am told that Lara was wonderfully received in Rio, and that the song was written in appreciation of their acceptance of her. It is her ‘thank you’ to them.
I love the feel of this song.
11. Bambina
“Little baby, I miss you….”
Recalling memories of the past. Lara sings this song so beautifully. I love the melody of this song.
12. Immortelle
“I die from you….”
Incredible song with great lyrics, vocals and orchestration. I love the way this song finishes.
13. Le Roi Est Une Femme
“And my skin always getting intoxicated From being easy and submissive The king, the king is a woman”
I just absolutely love Lara’s vocals on this song! And the piano driven orchestration is beautiful. I can listen to this song repeatedly.
14. Untitled
Wow! Is this instrumental ’Nocturne’ not absolutely incredible? A sweep through the entire album in piano, it is so pensive, so dreamy, so reflective. A classic!
Overall:
I think “Nue” is one of the greatest albums of all time with its beautiful music, great lyrics, and amazing vocals.
I cannot rate any of the songs on this album, nor can I pick my top five. I simply must rate this masterpiece as a whole, with the highest rating.
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Post by lapayin on Oct 31, 2006 22:59:45 GMT -5
Great reviews Coenraad and Mark.
Again I have learned so much about Lara's writing through the reviews of Leona, Coenraad and Mark. Different interpretations I never would have thought of if it weren't for these exercises. The common thread, "Nue" is a masterpiece and technically her best album.
Just a side note I was thinking of while reading everyone's reviews: How many people or artists actually let others see their "Nue" emotions, feelings and thoughts the way Lara lets us see her's? A lot of writers write about personal experiences but Lara makes you feel her love, pain, awareness, joy and see her imagination. She truely takes you on a journey and you feel involved in her life - all part of her connection with her audience. Amazing
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Post by achebeautiful on Nov 1, 2006 16:42:29 GMT -5
You make an excellent point Paula. I remember when I first discovered Bruce Springsteen, how the very thing that drew me in to his music was how autobiographical so much of his albums were, and how much I could relate to what he was going through. You all know how Bruce Springsteen is my favorite, but even I have to admit that Lara Fabian is second to none when it comes to transparency of emotions, feelings and thoughts. She is truly remarkable, and as she shares with such honesty the things that she is going through, it forces an honesty within ourselves. Good point of discussion, Paula.
By the way, Rachelle and Joanna have both agreed to do reviews of "Nue" as well, so we have more to look forward to from them! Of course, they will need some time to put their thoughts and ideas together, so in the mean time while we are waiting we can carry on the discussion from the reviews that are already posted.
I for one am amazed at the interesting and thoughtful reviews that have been turned in. We truly have a great group of people here!
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ashja
Full Member
"There's nothing like your smile made of sun..."
Posts: 183
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Post by ashja on Nov 3, 2006 6:00:42 GMT -5
Hej! I'm just trying to do my review of "Nue" but I have to tell that it's not that simple. It's a wonderful album. Besides my english is not that good as I wish it was, so it will take me some time to do this but I'll try I think I will post my review after this weekend. For now I can just post my Top 5: 1.Aimer deja 2.Parce que tu pars 3.Imagine 4.Bambina 5.Le roi est une femme
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Post by achebeautiful on Nov 3, 2006 15:20:48 GMT -5
Hey Joanna, that's fine! We'll wait as long as it takes. Please don't worry about your English not being that good. If there is something we do not understand, we will ask you about it. I think you do just fine!
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Post by lapayin on Nov 3, 2006 20:09:41 GMT -5
I agree with Mark your English is very good. We do this for fun and to help each other understand Lara's music better. No pressure at all.
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