Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #186690 in Music
• Released on: 2000-11-07
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced

Amazon.com essential recording
Though the minor hits "Wonder" and "Jealousy" bore a reasonable resemblance to Merchant's work with 10,000 Maniacs, most of Tigerlily clearly established her as a solo artist apart from her former band. The record's first single, "Carnival," drove that point home, with a hook based more on rhythm than melody and the haunting voice of Katell Keineg adding an intriguing dimension to the chorus. Elsewhere, much of Tigerlily is remarkably solemn and subtle, from the low-key opener "San Andreas Fault" to the widower's lament "My Beloved Wife" to the eight-minute opus "I May Know the Word." Also of note is "River," an emotional ode to friend and fallen star River Phoenix. --Peter Blackstock

Customer Reviews

Like hearing it for the first time
When Natalie Merchant announced her departure from 10,000 Maniacs, there was much speculation about whether or not she would be able to match the quality of the Maniacs songs in a solo career. On my first listen through the Tigerlily CD in the summer of 1995, I knew for sure that Natalie had come through. Tigerlily was an amazing album. When I popped the DVD-Audio disc in my player and began listening, it was like the first time all over again. It's the same beautiful music and the same incredible songwriting, but the sound is exceptional.

The surround mix adds a quality to the music that can't easily be described in words, and the depth of the sound easily outpaces that of the CD. I found myself noticing subtle elements to each song that I had never heard before. Each instrument stands on its own, with much better seperation than exists in the stereo mix on the CD. Just to be sure I wasn't hallucinating, I listened to a track from the CD and then immediately listened to the DVD version. No contest. This is no minor difference. It's amazing.

As previous reviews have noted, you need a DVD-Audio player to take full advantage of the disc. The disc does contain Dolby Digital tracks, so it will play on a regular DVD player, but you won't be getting the best possible sound from it. This is not a video DVD, so don't expect movies, music videos or anything else. Buy this disc for the music, not for extras.

Like a River: As fresh today as it was back in 1995
Not too many albums can stand the test of time, and in case you haven't realized it, this album is approaching its tenth year, since it got released, yet it sounds as fresh as the first day. Natalie froze time and space in this this, her first album out of 10,000 Maniacs. So many people thought she'd been lost, when she left the band, yet everyone was happy to find that she was able to find her space in music on her own: the album came accross as very personal and down to earth, with an ability to be playful alternating with melancholic in a seamless way.

Having heard a few of the tracks in her highly recommendable live album, I was glad to listen to the original studio versions, and a few more tracks that I was unfamiliar with. Out of all the songs, "River" touches me beyond what all the other songs can, perhaps because it is her tribute to the passing of her friend. Perhaps this song, with its timeless name, captures the nature of the whole album: it never stops flowing and yet it remains true to itself in spite of the passing of time.

One of my favorite discs

I have to say that I LOVE this album. I became a 10,000 Maniacs fan back in 1987 when they opened for R.E.M. at a concert. After that I followed 10,000 Maniacs and continued to enjoy their music, but I was always especially appreciative of Natalie Merchant's soaring, beautiful voice.

Natalie's voice is highlighted on this album. At times she is emotional; at times she is warm and soothing; at times she sounds strong and determined; at other times she simply croons. But whatever the mood, at all times Natalie is expressive. Her outstanding voice and her great songwriting are what make this disc so appealing.

This is not 10,000 Maniacs, and if you are looking for that, go buy a 10,000 Maniacs CD. Usually when a band splits up, the departed member(s) go off to do their own thing that often sounds different from the band's previous work (think of Sting and the Police, for instance). That is probably the way it should be; an artist who leaves a band and subsequently copies the band's previous tunes would inevitably be criticized. Reading the reviews of this album, however, it appears that some people criticize Natalie for not replicating the sound of 10,000 Maniacs.

This disc shows Natalie Merchant's continued growth as an artist - she has left her former band, and here she has the freedom to experiment a little and cultivate her own voice.

The end result is an EXCELLENT album. These are plaintive songs, stripped down, well written and well performed without a lot of fanfare. The radio hits ("Carnival," "Wonder," and "Jealousy") are great tunes, but they sound even better as part of the overall package of songs here. "San Andreas Fault" has all the makings of a great FM radio hit. "River" is one of my very favorite songs ever - a tribute to River Phoenix that is a great emotional ride. "Seven Years" is another one of my favorites here, a song about a woman lamenting the dissolution of a seven-year relationship. All of the other songs are excellent, each contributing something to this album. There is not a song here that I don't enjoy.

This is one of my favorite CD's; I have had it for years and still love it. I recommend Tigerlily without hesitation.