Life For Rent - Dido (CD 2003)

Although there is nothing quite as exuberant on British Singer/Songwriter Dido Armstrong's new release Life For Rent, as her performance of Feels Like Fire on Santana's showcase CD Shaman, this release is still a solid follow-up to her 1999 debut recording, No Angel. She continues to deliver her thrilling, whisper soft vocals within the framework of acoustically based electronic pop, with folk accents, and a hint of the richly atmospheric sound of Enya. Her evocative vocal style reflects shades of Sarah Mc Lachlan. Her straightforward, thoughtful, lyrics are beautifully...

I have to admit, I was one of those chicks who didn't get all swept up in the "Dido" mania back in 2001 when Eminem's song, Stan, pushed her into the spotlight. Although I enjoyed her angelic voice, I just didn't find her album, No Angel, to be anything exciting for me. When I was handed, Life For Rent, I didn't listen to it. Four weeks went by and finally, I felt guilty enough to pop it in to my cd player. And I'm glad I did because obviously, one of us has changed in the past two years. Just so you know, this will go on my year end list, as one of the best releases of 2003. Yep. That's how..

Recording a sophomore album must be an incredible challenge to any successful artist. With a massive-selling debut hanging around your neck, you get left with the options of either rushing out a follow-up or trying to do something completely different. Either way, you re looking at trouble. What s a multi-million selling singer/songwriter to do? If your name s Dido Armstrong, you do a mix of the two. Cleverly taking a year s sabbatical after the meteoric success of No Angel , she took the time to perfect her second album, slightly altering her debut and releasing it to equally huge results,...

Dido's sophomore effort easily was one of this fall's most eagerly awaited records. In 2001, debut album's catchy, clever pop songs like 'Hunter', 'Here with Me', and, most importantly, 'Thank You' elevated the British pop baby straight to stardom with a long tail of radioplays. The fact Dido Armstrong actually became a star because, before it happened, Eminem rapped to the latter tune was graciously forgotten by everybody probably because her debut album was better than way overlong and overpretentious The EMINEM show . I mean it I'm still ready to listen to 'No Angel' any time. Couldn't say.