Before becoming an embodiment of Gladwell’s Outliers as the US’ greatest living Soprano, Renee Fleming lowered her voice a little and sang in cabarets. Her version of the Nat King Cole “Answer Me” proves Renee might well have made a career of it as wel..
Last April I bought Fleming’s cover of Muse’s “Endlessly” and if you don’t remember me reviewing it a) I did and b) I thought it was a straight drag. I don’t know what Renee is built for but it sure isn’t this.
Now here comes the album with the Times (LA and New York) trying to find ways not to fess up to how much, bases upon “Endlessly” I bet it sucks. I bet? It makes the new Peter Gabriel seem, well, listenable. The album is called Dark Hope -yup, folks it is that bad. And if you really wanna laugh yourself sick give a read to NYT’s Jon Pareles not warn you off. Here is the last sentence: “Dark Hope” is a good start not for operatic fusion — it’s opera free — but for a side career. Ms. Fleming’s next step is figuring out how to sound, now and then, just a little less serious about it all. ” Translation: RUN FOR YOUR LIVES.
Here is the track list, take one look at the last song and don’t say you have’t been warned:
Endlessly (Muse)
No One’s Gonna Love You (Band of Horses)
Oxygen (Willy Mason)
Today (Jefferson Airplane)
Intervention (Arcade Fire)
With Twilight as My Guide (The Mars Volta)
Mad World (Tears for Fears)
In Your Eyes (Peter Gabriel)
Stepping Stone (Duffy)
Soul Meets Body (Death Cab For Cutie)
Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen)