The album opens with "Scrambled Eggs For Two," which immediately establishes a cool Brazilian rhythm. Corinne offers a sweet vocal approach with certain pop sensibilities, the lyrics describing the end of a romantic night. This song takes place at three in the morning, rather than the traditional four. There is a playful element too, heard in a line like "And I'm not quite done with you." The guitar part in the middle has a Beatles flavor, this track having an interesting mix of sounds and influences, the overall vibe being kind of delightful. "A nibble, a bite/A scandalous night." Indeed, and quite a bit of cheer as well. Ah, but then something has changed by the second song, "I Can't Believe My Eyes," with Corinne asking, "Where the hell are you?" But before she gets there, she sings, "You're the sun in my eyes/The song in my head/You're my heart in disguise/The ghosts in my bed," which sort of sets us up for that line without us being aware of it. Those are interesting lines, for there are positive and negative aspects to them. "You're the sun" certainly sounds positive, like a supreme compliment, but "sun in my eyes" is a potentially dangerous thing, or at the least is a distraction. And a "song in my head" could be a wonderful thing, unless it's a song stuck in your head. These lines set us up for her frustration. "I can't believe my eyes, my eyes, my eyes/'Cause I don't believe your lips, your lips, but those lips." This track features a really nice guitar lead in the second half.
"Tickled Pink" also has a bossa nova groove, and acually mentions that in its first line: "In a bossa nova groove/A little samba sets the mood." There is a wonderful, dreamlike atmosphere to this song, as Corinne sings, "Come with me." Soon she sings, "That twinkle in your eye/And that devil of a smile/I know what's on your mind." Well, it's likely on all our minds as we listen to Corinne's seductive vocal performance. And I love those touches on horn. Corinne takes the song to another level in the second half. This song, by the way, was also released as a single on pink vinyl, with an extended version as its flip side. I need to add that record to my collection at some point. That's followed by "Requiem For A Daydream," its title a play on the film Requiem For A Dream. As this one begins, it sounds like a slightly slowed down version of Steely Dan's "Rikki Don't Lose That Number," but as soon as Corinne's vocals come in, I'm no longer thinking of that song. This track has one of the album's most captivating vocal performances. "I'm not your lover, I'm a stranger/We might get caught, you like the danger/I have to miss you when I'm with you/She gets to have you and dismiss you." And the lines "Life is short/Shorter than you think" of course stand out. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's been thinking lately of the brevity of this whole thing. This track features some cool stuff on keys.
"Kiss Kiss Kiss" has a fun vibe right from the start. "Sway me all around the room/Swing me underneath the perfect moon." Yes, that great otherworldly feel of romance is present, celebrated here. There is also a playfulness, which is fitting, and heard especially on "Boom boom boom/Come dance a little," and also in that delightful pause after "drink it all in." "Kiss me like you mean it" is an interesting line, because there is the implication that the person doesn't mean it, and perhaps that it doesn't matter if he means it or not, as long as the kiss has the impression of sincerity. This is one of my favorites. And it's followed by another of the disc's highlights, "Fa La La." The first line of this song, "You don't really want to hear another song about Christmas," made me smile because Corinne's previous release was an EP of Christmas songs. So perhaps she's poking just a bit of fun of herself there. I also love the mood of this song. Just listen to the way she delivers a line like, "I know you've had it up to here with all this Christmas cheer." The song just gets cooler and cooler. Her delivery is exquisite. Seriously, do yourself a favor, and listen to her vocal performance here. There is certainly a dramatic element to it. She does a phenomenal job of getting into the character of the song, and getting it across. And there is some great work on guitar and keys. I especially love that lead on keys toward the end.
"I Taste Forever In Your Kiss" begins with some warm work on keys that has a classic vibe, setting up the tone, the atmosphere. And then Corinne's vocal approach has a gentle, romantic feel: "I love the way you kiss goodnight/The way your lips melt into mine." The song then becomes a sort of fanciful, dreamlike waltz, which is wonderful. Isn't it great when romance feels like this music? "I still taste you on my lips and my tongue." We know we're in fairy tale land in "Once Upon A Time In Central Park," for the lyrics begin with the phrase "Once upon a time." Soon the song kicks in, right as Corinne describes the boy sweeping the girl off her feet. And the music takes up that motion, and pulls us right into it as well, all of us caught up in a delightful dance. Corinne then wraps up the album with a beautiful and touching rendition of "La Vie En Rose," her vocals supported by piano. What a wonderful way to finish this excellent album, leaving us in a gorgeous dreamlike realm, enchanted and moved.
CD Track List
- Scrambled Eggs For Two
- I Can't Believe My Eyes
- Tickled Pink
- Requiem For A Daydream
- Kiss Kiss Kiss
- Fa La La
- I Taste Forever In Your Kiss
- Once Upon A Time In Central Park
- La Vie En Rose
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