Track Listing

1. London Rain (Nothing Heals Me Like You Do)
2. Blood of Me
3. Heart and Shoulder
4. What a Feeling
5. Valley of Sound
6. I'm the Girl
7. Winterblue
8. I'm Alive
9. Widescreen
10. Paper Cup
11. Avalanche
12. Make You Mine
13. Ruby Red
14. Not Only Human

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #134039 in Music
• Released on: 1998-06-02
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced

Customer Reviews

amazing
If I had to pick one cd out of my collection of almost 150 as my favorite, Heather Nova's Siren would be it (Oyster would probably be my second or third). It is the most amazing cd I have ever owned. I love almost every single song and can relate to each one of them. Its something about Heather's visceral lyrics expressed by her incredible voice with the instruments in the background that always seem to echo and complement exactly what the song is about. Heather has the most unbelievable voice. It can be gritty and deep (Blood of Me) and it can be soft and high (London Rain) and it can be anything else in between; and it always sounds beautiful. Heather is rare--a truly talented musician. I would recommend this cd to anyone, in any emotional state. This covers them all. If you need proof that this is an amazing cd, just listen to "Paper Cup" which is the most sadly beautiful song I have ever heard. Who can't relate to the words, "Wishful thinking you might be mine?" That song touches my heart every time I hear it. Other exceptional songs (though they are all brilliant) are "Heart and Shoulder"--which basically lives on the WB now--, "Valley of Sound", "Winterblue", "I'm the Girl" and of course "London Rain", which has become a Dawson's Creek staple. All I can say about Siren is that it blows you away. You listen to it and you are overwhelmed by so many various emotions that it takes your breath away. Not much music today can claim to do that. But Heather Nova is an amazing artist who deserves much more recognition than she gets. I also recommend highly her Oyster cd which is just as incredible as Siren. Listen to "Maybe An Angel", "Island", "Heal", "Truth and Bone", and "Walking Higher" and you will fall in love with Oyster too. Heather Nova is truly one of the most talented artists around today and Siren is the kind of cd you listen to once and can't stop listening to ever again. It becomes a part of you.

Siren will lure you into its enchanting sounds...
I was watching the television show Felicity when I heard the song "Valley of Sound" and thought it was so beautiful. When I found out that it was sung by Heather Nova, I rushed out to listen to the rest of her CD. It was simply amazing! Nova is a truly talented musician (she writes all of her own songs). Her voice is exceptionally soothing to listen to and it may remind you of another great songwriter and singer, Sarah McLachlan. The songs have wonderful melodies (especially "London Rain") and well-written lyrics. It is the kind of music that would be perfect for those long cross-country drives. If you do not already own the Siren CD, you should definitely add it to your collection!

P.S. If anyone out there knows of other singers whose music sounds similar to Heather Nova, please let me know!

A more mainstream, highly digestible direction for Nova.
Siren is the one Heather Nova album (I have them all) that took time for me to grow into. This is where the passion that's identified Nova's previous works is reined in, replaced by a pop tunesmith's instinct, glam-rock influences and, overall, a quieter approach.

Her lyrics remain poetic and daring, characterized by their bohemianism, but Siren offers a new twist, an optimism (especially towards the topic of love) that comes through in the melodies, arrangements, and lyrics. "London Rain" is the song that both turned off longtime Nova fans and roused new ones to their feet in concert, a simple pop tune without the usual Nova dynamics and soaring vocals. But dig deeper and the old Heather Nova still rears her head: "Blood of Me" is one of her best songs, an intense, powerful surge that's almost tribal in power. "Heart and Shoulder" is another somewhat middle-of-the-road ditty, with a bassline and guitar sound that recall U2's "With or without You" "I'm Alive" slows down to nearly a crawl, and "Winterblue" creates a marvellous build, going from softly ringing guitars to a full-out strings-and-rock-band (the top-notch strings courtesy of Anne Dudley) climax.

My first impression of this album was that Nova had mellowed out a little. Her songwriting skill and vocal prowess, however, once again came through beautifully. Siren is the Nova album that can be enjoyed the most without most of the pain and intensity that comes with the rest of her work. Out of her catalogue so far, this is the closest to ear candy.