Search - Vienna Teng :: Waking Hour

Beautiful Music - Almost 5 Stars!

Dave Y. | Kennewick, WA USA | 02/04/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I first heard of Vienna Teng while watching David Letterman one evening. She sang the song Gravity and just totally captivated my attention. Immediately I purchased the album.Waking Hour is a great CD and almost exactly as David Letterman described it, "not a dud on this album." In fact, I wouldn't say that any of the songs could be classified as "duds" at all, though there are a couple that are less than favorites for me, but still beautiful and this album grows on you too. I always like that about a CD. Songs that were not favorites before may become favorites later. This CD deffinitely has that potential for me.Vienna's lyrics are intelligent, creative and sometimes introspective and the music is unique, warm and emotional. Some of her music (especially the song Gravity) reminds me (a little) of Paula Cole. Here voice bears some similarity to Cole as well but also artists like Tori Amos and Sarah McLachlan, though Teng's is quieter and the lyrics more thoughtful. Brilliant melodies, wonderfully arranged! The styles on this CD range from pop, folk and a little rock to new age and world beat. The styles flow seamlessly together and each song is just beautifully crafted and performed. One of the most identifiable aspects of Vienna's music is her beautiful piano playing, with which her voice compliments flawlessly. Can you tell, I just thoroughly enjoyed this album.An article from Paste Music put it so well: "The album takes listeners on an emotional ride through the haunting, the ethereal, and the comforting. Most of all, her songs reveal a keen understanding of the magic that lies beneath the surface of the everyday world and how to share that hidden beauty with others through music."Brilliantly stated!My favorite songs on this album are Gravity, Momentum, Enough To Go By, and Drought. I give it a strong, VERY STRONG, four stars. Good stuff!"

Simply brilliant

JIM GASSEN | Chicago area, USA | 01/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Like millions of others, I saw Vienna Teng for the first time on David Letterman on Monday January 20 and was instantly sold. The next day I ordered it at Amazon.Vienna Teng's Waking Hour is the best new music I've heard in years. It is refreshing to see someone who is simply talented and insightful. I'm very tired of the "open sexuality" that dominates today's popular music. There are the obvious comparisons to Tori Amos and Fiona Apple. I don't that it is out of line to compare Vienna Teng to the great seasoned singer/songwriters of the last 35 years. As I listen to "Waking Hour)" Carole King's "Tapestry" (one of the greatest albums ever made) comes to mind. "Waking Hour" is so many different things. It is romantic, introspective, lively, existential, spiritual and ambient. The CD begins with a nice rhythm to begin the journey into the mind of a gifted songwriter. Every song creates its own atmosphere. The wide range of her voice is heard very clearly and perfectly pitched. My personal favorite songs are "Soon Love Soon" and "Lullaby For A Stormy Night" for their delicate optimism. "Unwritten Letter #1" is a pleasant surprise with its' Latin flavor. Let us not forget her inspired piano work.Thank you Mr. Letterman!"

Reviews are cool, but they don't do justice to Waking Hour

stevec | Berkeley, CA USA | 12/10/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album has the most heart and craft of any I've listened to in years, and if music is the universal language, Vienna Teng is one of its most eloquent speakers.Thoughtful without being pedantic, and classy without being pretentious, Waking Hour offers itself without needless fanfare; it's so captivating that, immediately after I bought the album, I couldn't bring myself to walk back to the car and drive home until I'd read the liner notes first... and this after two hours of listening to the music. My heart and my head were fighting loudly over which loved it more.Gravity and The Tower, for instance, are near-instant favorites, both for their music and their lyrics. Some songs will tell stories; these two might bond with you as though you've known them all your life. They're so completely human that they probably describe someone you know. They might even describe you. Between and Drought are haunting, approachable waltzes that you'll love whether you're a ballroom dancer, a trained musician, or a thickheaded yokel who couldn't tell Rock from Reggae. Other tracks can show you how cool it is to have a sense of humor about yourself, how to talk about love without using the word `love', and how you're never, ever, too old for a lullabye.If you're like many I know, your only regret might be that there's only one album so far. Her website has a preview, as well as a few other extras offered in all their self-conscious honesty."