Paradise Is There: The New Tigerlily Recordings
Natalie Merchant · 2015
136 min · 12 tracks · rock music
A reflective journey through poignant storytelling, blending folk-inspired melodies with Merchant's distinct, emotive vocals.
Top tracks — play these first
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San Andreas Fault Start here — This track opens the album with a contemplative tone, showcasing Merchant's skillful lyricism and ability to evoke vivid imagery about life's uncertainties.
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Beloved Wife — The emotional depth of this song is palpable, addressing themes of love and loss that are intricately woven into heartfelt storytelling.
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Carnival — Originally a fan favorite, this rendition captures the carnival atmosphere while exploring the contrasts of joy and melancholy in relationships.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Merchant's reinterpretations breathe new life into her classic songs, showcasing strong craftsmanship and cohesive flow.
What we noticed
- The album features reimagined arrangements of songs from Merchant's earlier work, with a focus on acoustic instrumentation and layered vocal harmonies.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- reflective moments of nostalgia
- dynamic journey with emotional depth
- wave-like pacing for contemplation
- long listening sessions with intent
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Reinterprets classic songs with fresh arrangements, showcasing artistic growth.
- Career context
- By the time 'Paradise Is There' was released in 2015, Natalie Merchant had already established herself as a solo artist after her tenure with 10,000 Maniacs. This album serves as a reinterpretation of her earlier work from the 'Tigerlily' album, highlighting her growth as a songwriter while revisiting themes that resonate deeply with her audience.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lisa Loeb· Shawn Colvin· Jewel
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 San Andreas Fault Start here 4:48
- 2 Beloved Wife 5:25
- 3 Carnival 4:57
- 4 River 5:42
- 5 The Letter 3:55
- 6 Where I Go 4:02
- 7 I May Know the Word 7:41
- 8 Seven Years 5:03
- 9 Cowboy Romance 6:07
- 10 Jealousy 4:04
- 11 Wonder 4:48
Disc 2
- 1 Paradise Is There: A Memoir by Natalie Merchant 1:19:52
What to play next
Keep Your Courage
2023
Continues the reflective themes with a fresh sonic palette and emotive storytelling.
Natalie Merchant
2014
Sets the stage with a similar introspective style and vocal delivery.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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