KT Tunstall "Drastic Fantastic"

[Deleted]

After one listen, I like I Don't Want You Now, Hopeless, and Saving My Face the best. I agree with Pop Justice and Rolling Stone -- I Don't Want You Now is her best.

That said, I hope this album grows on me more with subsequent listens, because I'm not very excited about it overall. I don't know what it is about her -- I really do want to like her songs, but somehow they never quite do it for me. That's how I felt about her singles from the first album too, though I haven't heard the whole album.

Rolling Stone gives the album 3 1/2 stars in their latest issue, and it's the featured review, so the review is lengthier than most.

[areyoureadytojump]

Billboard:

ARTIST: KT TUNSTALL

ALBUM: DRASTIC FANTASTIC

If KT Tunstall was at all intimidated by the prospect of following up her platinum 2006 debut, "Eye to the Telescope," it's certainly not audible on the 11 tracks of "Drastic Fantastic." Tunstall crushes the sophomore jinx under the stilleto heels of the white boots she wears on the album cover, delivering a confident and assured set that's fuller and a touch more electric than its predecessor. Tunstall sings at one point that "there's no sense in traveling if we've already been that way," and while "Drastic Fantastic" doesn't reinvent her sound -- the hand-clapping first single "Hold On" certainly harks back toward earlier hit "Suddenly I See" -- it does move things forward, charging out of the box with the buoyant "Little Favours" and thrusting a defiant, girl-power chin out on "Hopeless" and "I Don't Want You Now."

[areyoureadytojump]

Out today in the USA!!

Target: $11.98
Best Buy: $11.99
Circuit City: $9.99

[areyoureadytojump]

Tunstall empowers on `Drastic Fantastic'
By ERIN CARLSON, Associated Press Writer
Mon Sep 17

KT Tunstall, "Drastic Fantastic" (Relentless)

KT Tunstall may have "The Devil Wears Prada" and "American Idol" to thank for her overnight success. When two Tunstall gems — "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" and "Suddenly I See" — were featured on the movie and reality TV show, the Scottish singer-songwriter met a much wider audience. Her 2006 debut, "Eye to the Telescope," was a hit.

Tunstall's smoky vocals and introspective folk-pop are again front and center on her sophomore disc "Drastic Fantastic." Her lyrics are no less soulful: "Hold on to what you've been given lately/ Hold on `cause the world will turn if you're ready or not," she sings over plucky guitar and hand claps on "Hold On," the album's energetic first single.

That warning suggests Tunstall may worry that she'll follow other songstresses — Lisa Loeb, anyone? — into the graveyard of one-disc wonders. That won't happen, though, as long as she keeps writing lovely tracks like "Hopeless," a deceptively uplifting song that screams "Grey's Anatomy" closing montage. In a good way.

Tunstall continues her message of female empowerment on this album. She defiantly tells off a loser guy in "I Don't Want You Now," which has a punk-rock vibe. She avoids the temptation of plastic surgery in "Saving My Face," even though she would "give everything just for a taste."

Her nimble wordplay shines on the uptempo character study, "Funnyman," about a self-destructive friend who can't seem to follow through on his lofty plans. "You're so honest and true/ I don't want to feel sorry for you," she says.

Tunstall, a soul-searcher, makes melancholy musings sound invigorating — never depressing. Is she a long-lost member of Coldplay? Wait — don't answer that.

CHECK OUT THIS TRACK: On "Beauty of Uncertainty" Tunstall takes her singular voice to its sultriest level.

[reception]

Reviewed by Edna Gundersen
USA Today

KT Tunstall, Drastic Fantastic: * * 1/2 (out of four) Unequal sequel

In spots, Tunstall opts to rock, but the move feels studied rather than instinctive, resulting in a drastic absence of fantastic fare on the Scottish singer/songwriter’s follow-up to spunky 2006 debut Eye to the Telescope. Meek rocker Saving My Face is an emotionally thin exercise, and the ballads evaporate on impact. Tunstall improves in the Jewel-toned melodic folk-pop realm, especially on the rhythmic Someday Soon.

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

I think I quite like this. I only listened to it for the first time just then (it just got over like a minute ago) and although I think it's alittle off-putting that they put three slow songs at the end, I remember that they kinda did it with the last album too. I need to listen a few more times but my first impression is that this CD will go on to receive many plays from me!

[Active Aggressive]

Thumb Ax, you obviously have good taste. This CD is beautiful. I don't have a song that I love as much as Silent Alarm on the first CD but her voice is even better and more assured here. Hold On is a great first single, the album cover is eye-catching and provocative, the booklet is interesting (even if I don't see the connection between the music and the pictures) and the CD is a grower. I hope she does well.

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

You mean Silent Sea? ;) Or False Alarm

The CD booklet was alittle disappointing. Fun pictures but no lyrics. lol. I think 'Hold On' was a good first single but I'm thinking it doesn't really represent the album well. I didn't think 'Black Horse and the Cherry Tree' represented the last album well either tho. We'll see.

[Brazilian Guy]

Funnyman is my fave song alongsiide Hold On. It's so well written and produced. I like the whole album, really, even though I tend to skip the last 3 tracks cause they're slower. When I want to hear slow songs I go to them, but they should have mixed the more fun tracks with them.

I Don't Want You Now, Little Favours, Hopeless, Saving My Face are all stand outs. Only White Bird feels a little forced but her voice is so goddamn beautiiful there.

One of the year's best albums for sure.

[~ M-Dolla ¤]

This is girl is talented.

I didnt know she did all those things while performing.. I mean this - www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIO2qpSsUTA

I love her now and all because of this performance. She floored me. You hardly ever get this nowadays! Good for her!! Love her new song btw!

[~ M-Dolla ¤]

fabiojj said:

Love it!

[Active Aggressive]

Great album and yeah Thumb, I meant False Alarm, haha, although I do love Silent Sea. This album is definitely a grower but I love the first two songs, Hold On and I Don't Want You Now especially...

[SHOOTER]

"Paper Aeroplane" is beautiful to me.

[Active Aggressive]

Yeah, what a great album closer!

[eljefro]

Hits:

KT Tunstall’s platinum-plus debut (Virgin) will tally 50-60k in its first week.

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

I'm surprised at how slick the album is but it doesn't have that overproduced sound, which is good. The CD is smooth and KT's vocals are actually great! It's like the makings of a pop CD with pop songs but the end result isn't really "pop" music. This one will definitely be competing with Tegan and Sara for my favourite CD of the year, I think. And it'll be a big fight since both have had my #1 CD of the year in their respective years (2004 and 2005).

[~ M-Dolla ¤]

She was cute on Jimmy Kimmel last night! :)

[Brazilian Guy]

Debuts just outside of the top ten at the World chart, selling 76k. Hopefully she goes top 10 next week, with the help of US sales and all.

11- KT Tunstall - Drastic Fantastic
Relentless / Virgin - 76.000

[oscillations.]

www.metacritic.com/music/artists/tunstallkt/drasticfantastic

very strong reviews

pleasantly surprised

[sephyrpatriq]

I heard half the album on AOL and I really want it. She has some pretty melodies

[vinyl]

If Only is lovely.

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

I'm surprised at the good reaction this is getting here and elsewhere. Wow! Too bad it didn't automatically generate into sales and big hits, eh?
Maybe it will!

Predictions? Her first pass a million. Can this one too?

[Brazilian Guy]

Sadly Hold On isn't catching on. She dropped to 6 in the UK this week and will only sell 50-55 k in the US.

I don't know why. It's one of the album's best songs and the perfect first single. The beats are really good and her voice even better. Hopefully the next single will smash its way to the top and the album will sell.

[Ryan]

this album is just as great as her first one.
i'm gonna be little disappointed when the sales revealed, but i'm sure that this will be soaring up slowly and steadly someday.

[eljefro]

perfectlie said:

If Only is lovely.

OMG...I love that too...it's my fave...

[Active Aggressive]

Yup...my favorite, followed by Hold On (LOVE the energy and the end) and also I Don't Want You Now...classics.

[areyoureadytojump]

Billboard.com:

Fellow Brit KT Tunstall's sophomore Virgin set, "Drastic Fantastic," debuts at No. 9 with 50,000. Her debut, 2006's "Eye to the Telescope," topped out at No. 33.

[Deleted]

I hope "I Don't Want You Now" is her next single. It seems that song is getting called out as a standout track all over, both in reviews and fan comments. Plus, it's my favorite too.

[Active Aggressive]

kungaloosh said:

I hope "I Don't Want You Now" is her next single. It seems that song is getting called out as a standout track all over, both in reviews and fan comments. Plus, it's my favorite too.

I agree and I think it will be the song to sell the album.

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

I dunno. I like the song but I'd probably put it at the top of the bottom half of my favourites. (as in, maybe around my 6th or 7th favourite on the album).