TARJA-My Winter Storm

[7thSaviour]

This is one helluva kick-ass CD! I like it better with each spin! Current album rating: 9.75/10. Favorite tracks:
1.I Walk Alone
2.Lost Northern Star
3.Poison
4.Our Great Divide
5.Oasis
6.My Little Phoenix
OMG:
Your favorite CD tracks and thoughts on this album?

 

[Magius]

It should appeal to the Barbra Streisand crowd. Clearly she has moved on from the demographic she was popular with in Nightwish. Very disappointing.

 

[shaq]

The only song I've heard was that cover of Poison, and boy was it awful. At some point I'll check out the rest of the album

 

[DEATHZILLA]

Got the cd, in my opinion Nightwish and other female bands have nothing to fear from this release. Boring and dissapointing. If you like epic female fronted metal nothing to see here move on. If you want a second sound track for Titanic this disc is for you.

 

[TheLongshot]

Got the cd, in my opinion Nightwish and other female bands have nothing to fear from this release. Boring and dissapointing. If you like epic female fronted metal nothing to see here move on. If you want a second sound track for Titanic this disc is for you.

I'm just curious what people expected. No, it isn't probably going to appeal to those who like "epic female fronted metal", mainly because I didn't think it was going to be a Metal album. I do like that it has its heavy moments.

Most people here know Tarja's voice right now, and what her strengths and weakness are and know what type of songs she was likely to bring to the table.

For me, the strong songs are "I Walk Alone", "Boy And The Ghost", "Oasis" and "Die Alive". BTW, the "Poison" cover is probably one of the weakest songs on the disc.

One of the nice surprises was to see Lili Hayden playing on the CD. She's a violinist who I saw open for Page and Plant almost 10 years ago. She put on a very spirited performance. Nice to see that she's still around.

No, it is not Nightwish. It isn't Adult Contemporary either. To be honest, I put this album on equal footing with the new Nightwish, which are both mixed bags in my eyes, but have parts which are worthy of attention.

Jason

 

[7thSaviour]

I happen to LOVE the cover of "Poison". I think this is an excellent solo debut CD. I like this CD about as much as the new Nightwish disc. I think Tarja's still head and shoulders above Anette vocal-wise.

 

[Greykiller]

The early 80's style videos won't help her either. WTF is going on with those costumes and that makeup? Maybe she wants people to focus on that instead of the sound?
uke:

 

[edgeofthorns]

When I first saw this thread posted, I predicted that it would turn into a slam Tarja thread. Personally, I don't give a rat's ass what happened between Tarja and Nightwish, because I don't know any of these people. The new Nightwish disc is killer to say the least! Regardless, I do want to hear Tarja's new effort as well. Actually, I'm glad to hear that it doesn't sound like vintage Nightwish, so my interest is peaked....

~Brian~

 

[AMBR]

The new Nightwish disc is killer to say the least! Regardless, I do want to hear Tarja's new effort as well. Actually, I'm glad to hear that it doesn't sound like vintage Nightwish, so my interest is peaked....

Agree there. What I've heard of her disc so far is interesting - not sure if I'm going to like it, but I definitely want to hear more. I'm glad it's in no way like NW. It shouldn't be; this is her opportunity to show us what she's got in composing and inspiration as well as vocals.

When I first saw this thread posted, I predicted that it would turn into a slam Tarja thread.

~Brian~

Well, I must say I'm sick of the bashing, but it's never going to end if sniping like this in Tarja's Christmas greeting
continues:

"It has been very unusual for me to be saluted every day by everybody involved in the shows (production, crew, musicians) with hugs and kisses same way that every night after the day was over. No ass faces around, just smiles and laughter. No silence and indifference, but warmness, long chats and stories of every kind and true interest.
Above all, respect within the group of people for everybody's work and music.
None of us needed to be dragged into a hotel room after alcohol overdoses
Is very unique the feeling of looking into the eyes of the people working with you and finding there honesty."


I think that was totally uneccessary and spoiled an otherwise interesting account of her tour. Please, lady, give it a rest.

 

[Nightmare1z]

I think that's the problem with it. So many people listen to "My Winter Storm" expecting some continuation of some presence of Nightwish.

If you come in with an open mind and no pretenses, you won't say stuff like "Nightwish has nothing to fear". I really enjoy the disk - even the FULL Poison cover (not the sample which so many people heard). Really, there's only one song on there that sounds like a pure metal song.

There's just a hair too many slow songs which hurt the flow of the album, but there's some great stuff on there too. What's so ironic about it is how Tuomas loves Hans Zimmer so much, but Tarja was the one who actually got some of his people to help with the orchestrations on the album. You can definitely tell (the bridge part in I Walk Alone springs to mind). Even though I love the orchestra on DPP, I think Tarja's album did a better job of getting that "Media Ventures" sound Tuomas loves so much.

All in all, I'd give it a 8.5 or 9 out of 10. It's still growing on me the more I listen to it. A great release, but if you only like metal - then take a pass. Don't bash it just because it's a completely different style/mood then Nightwish.

 

[The Fiddler]

Agree there. What I've heard of her disc so far is interesting - not sure if I'm going to like it, but I definitely want to hear more. I'm glad it's in no way like NW. It shouldn't be; this is her opportunity to show us what she's got in composing and inspiration as well as vocals.


Well, I must say I'm sick of the bashing, but it's never going to end if sniping like this in Tarja's Christmas greeting
continues:

"It has been very unusual for me to be saluted every day by everybody involved in the shows (production, crew, musicians) with hugs and kisses same way that every night after the day was over. No ass faces around, just smiles and laughter. No silence and indifference, but warmness, long chats and stories of every kind and true interest.
Above all, respect within the group of people for everybody's work and music.
None of us needed to be dragged into a hotel room after alcohol overdoses
Is very unique the feeling of looking into the eyes of the people working with you and finding there honesty."


I think that was totally uneccessary and spoiled an otherwise interesting account of her tour. Please, lady, give it a rest.

Fortunately, comments like this go unnoticed or are forgotten quickly. Unfortunately, immortalizing someone for all the wrong reasons by penning a couple of songs on a CD that will sell half-a-million copies or more is a conscious and calculated decision by the songwriter to ensure sure that the fans will always be reminded of the writer's hate and disgust.

 

[Stingray11214]

Well, I must say I'm sick of the bashing, but it's never going to end if sniping like this in Tarja's Christmas greeting
continues:

"It has been very unusual for me to be saluted every day by everybody involved in the shows (production, crew, musicians) with hugs and kisses same way that every night after the day was over. No ass faces around, just smiles and laughter. No silence and indifference, but warmness, long chats and stories of every kind and true interest.
Above all, respect within the group of people for everybody's work and music.
None of us needed to be dragged into a hotel room after alcohol overdoses
Is very unique the feeling of looking into the eyes of the people working with you and finding there honesty."


I think that was totally uneccessary and spoiled an otherwise interesting account of her tour. Please, lady, give it a rest.

That's Marcelo talking, not Tarja. But, then again, it has been said that if you told her Finland's capital was Paris, she'd believe it. (It's in the book!).

But, then again, was it not Tarja that said "I don't need Nightwish anymore!"? So, why did she not walk out in Toronto? I think you would not see the constant bashing if she did just that. SHe is talking about "honesty"? Where was HERS?!?

As for those who wish to pick up the album, I do not begrudge you for doing so. You want to buy it? Vaya con Dios. As for me....oh, never mind.

 

[Rezz]

I had the CD pre-ordered from CDinzane but never received it. Aparently they took in more orders than they could handle and, when the manufacturer raised the price, they cancelled my order instead of honoring the sale.

 

[The Invisible Guest]

I gave it a listen to see if it was worthy of an order, but it just didn't appeal to me at all. Basically the split between Tarja and Nightwish has now caused me to have no interest in either band. In my opinion neither artist is interesting any longer.

Britt

 

[J-Man]

I know there is allot of Tarja bashing going on and vice versa allot of NIGHTWISh bashing from the Tarja camp(all coming from Marcelo). So, I would like to share a remark by a couple of members of the band as we were talking after one of their shows here in US. "We hope that her new career is what SHE wants and not what Marcelo wants for her, as she was our dear dear friend till he came along. He is giving her bad advice, and controlling her to the point she has lost not only her friends but some family. We always cared for and loved her as a sister, but Marcelo couldn't accept that fact." "Now what was that homeless guy saying, we didn't understand a word he said, but it was funny."

 

[LarryD]

I think the disc is just fine for a Tarja disc. This is who she is now. Its not easy separating her from the great band that she was in, but this is the disc she has released since, and its a good one based on what she has done.

Aside from the "Poison" cover which I don't think "fits" on the disc, and disrupts the general flow of the disc, overall its a pleasant performance ranging from ballads, to hard rock, to some metal moments. She has basically dropped the opera style vocals, and is using her normal tone (if you will).

 

[TheLongshot]

I know there is allot of Tarja bashing going on and vice versa allot of NIGHTWISh bashing from the Tarja camp(all coming from Marcelo). So, I would like to share a remark by a couple of members of the band as we were talking after one of their shows here in US. "We hope that her new career is what SHE wants and not what Marcelo wants for her, as she was our dear dear friend till he came along. He is giving her bad advice, and controlling her to the point she has lost not only her friends but some family. We always cared for and loved her as a sister, but Marcelo couldn't accept that fact." "Now what was that homeless guy saying, we didn't understand a word he said, but it was funny."

Kinda odd to say that, since they pretty much forced her to start a new career elsewhere by asking her to go. I know they did it for the best interest of the band, but lets not pretend that this is what she wanted. (Whether it was what Marcelo wanted is something else completely.)

Anyways, what's done is done and everyone has gone their own ways for the time being, for better or worse.

Jason

 

[AMBR]

Kinda odd to say that, since they pretty much forced her to start a new career elsewhere by asking her to go. I know they did it for the best interest of the band, but lets not pretend that this is what she wanted.

Jason

Not trying to start an argument here, Jason, but just want to clear something up. She really, really wanted to start a career along this path for some time and stuck it out with NW due to many different pressures. This really is what she wanted and it just came about awkwardly. Shame for all the bad feelings that resulted, but in the end, no one has been forced into a situation they didn't want. Tuomas never really envisioned her type of vocals for his music and she always felt awkward in the metal role. This is so good for all, it's just a shame better communication didn't make it happen in a better way.

So be it. I'm happy for her and them and love seeing the resulting recordings. It's all good in the end.

Off topic: Sorry, but as an English major and journalist I have to throw this out there. There is no such word as alot or allot. It's a lot. Two words. Totally not relevant, I know, but it's bugging me.

 

[J-Dubya 777]

Off topic: Sorry, but as an English major and journalist I have to throw this out there. There is no such word as alot or allot. It's a lot. Two words. Totally not relevant, I know, but it's bugging me.

Thanks a-lot!

:Smokedev:

 

[Greykiller]

When I first saw this thread posted, I predicted that it would turn into a slam Tarja thread. Personally, I don't give a rat's ass what happened between Tarja and Nightwish, because I don't know any of these people. The new Nightwish disc is killer to say the least! Regardless, I do want to hear Tarja's new effort as well. Actually, I'm glad to hear that it doesn't sound like vintage Nightwish, so my interest is peaked....

~Brian~

Are you saying that nobody can post anything negative about Tarja without it turning "into a slam Tarja thread"?

The quality of her new album is well below anything NW has done, musically or lyrically. The videos (which play a huge part in generating album sales) are horrifically bad.

It really does not matter who was the driving force behind this solo effort; the only thing her potential audience will see/hear is something far outside of their musical comfort zone, and she is the face of this sound.

This is not bashing Tarja, it is bashing what she has done.