1000 Forms Of Fear

Sia is, for my money, the best singer on the planet right now. she writes emotional, heartrending songs which have sold by the truckload for artists such as Rihanna and Christina Aguilera, and many of the songs here follow a specific songwriting formula- title based on something everyday (Chandelier, Cellophane) used as a metaphor for real life problems and relationships (hence Chandelier is about alcoholism and the life of the party girl), dance rhythms, and a massive chorus where the vocals swoop and soar and build to a triumphal "I will overcome my problems" finish. It's a successful formula, and it works. But what lifts this above hackwork is the emotional truth in every line- she's baring her soul in every song. And that voice-imitating no one, she vocalises her pain and suffering bringing every song to life. Irresistible! This album may well date-the sounds used are very trendy at the moment, and they WILL age rapidly. The album will sell well, sound good in cars and on the radio. But Sia's true masterpiece is yet to come. Go listen to "Some people have real problems", a much mellower CD, which is heartbreaking and gorgeous in equal measures and included the masterful post-argument love ballad "Soon we'll be found" and the beautiful "Day too soon", and you 'll see what she can do. This album is a fabulous pop album. Do buy it-there is nothing else remotely as good at the moment. Then buy Sia's back catalogue. Celebrate her talent. Who knows where it will go next?

Came on time , good music cd good price thanks amazon.

Great item

What an album! Its Titanium! Sia's voice uplifts you with one song then rips your heart in another, with her powerful lyrics she sings from deep within! Astounding! getting goose bumps whilst, just writing about it! This lady has a style and musical arrangement, I find unique and mesmerising. this is something the pop world needs a song writer that can sing the pants off of any of the generic artist in the charts right now. Its been a long time coming but now its Sia's chance to shine in her own right as the brilliant artist she is! she appears so down to earth without pretension in her interviews. She is a breathe of crystal fresh air, who's new approach to fame is utterly sui generis.

Excellent album, great physical condition.

Sia has been accused of selling out with this new album - emulating the stars she writes for with great success. The thing is, she is just such a fantastic singer and performer that this is still absolutely superb material. I became a big fan after Zero 7's 'Simple Things' like many people (although I think her songs on 'The Garden' are even better) but I had 'Some People Have Real Problems' on my Amazon wishlist for years before I actually bought it. And what a revelation it was - some of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. I then quickly bought up all her studio work, except 'Only See' which is unavailable, plus the fantastic live DVD 'TV Is My Parent'. She has the most hauntingly beautiful voice, and her songwriting is fantastic. I don't know if she is responsible for the music itself, but there is not one melody that does not stick in your mind after a couple of listens. I agree with a reviewer who said this album will date quickly, but while it is still current, it is the best of its genre. Everything she does is tinged with genius in my opinion. Long may the success continue. But buy 'Some People Have Real Problems' - in my top 5 albums ever, and I've been buying them for 32 years.

Having got all of Sia's past work, I was excited to see that she had a new album out. This album doesn't disappoint at all - it's basically on loop as we speak. The vocal work is (as usual) outstanding, and seems to have more croaks and breaks which only adds to the feeling that your listening to something real and heartfelt - she's the real deal. It's no secret that she has penned hits for other 'stars' but it's great that these remain hers to perform. I don't think anybody could carry them off vocally anyway, and even if they could they would still only be singing someone else's song. With her increasing uneasiness (?) to do much PR/performances she's unfortunately the victim of her own success. A real gem that sparkles bright in a sea of formulaic 'pop by numbers', she'll stand the test of time, I've no doubt. If you've never listened to any of her previous work, then this is a great place to start (and then work back!) Anthemic,soaring,epic. Wow.

This woman is a breath of fresh air in the music industry. I have spoken to people who thought the album would be all Chandelier type songs, but no, there are so many different styles of song on 1000 Forms of fear. The current single Cheap Thrills is track 6 but does not have Sean Paul on it, still a lovely easy to listen to song. The previous single Alive is track 2 and I like this track. I knew track 1 before purchasing the album, I saw her perform it live on youtube and I liked it very much, a good power ballad but with the chameleon changes in her voice, raises it up a level, for my personal taste. My favourite track is Reaper, track 7, again a strong power ballad, but the lyrics are of a personal battle being fought about not wanting the Reaper to take her. She has been forthright about her addictions, and a lot of her songs lay this journey out for us to hear. I had to purchase this twice, as the first one is still in my fiends car cd player, he did not want to give it back! I have two Sia albums and am in the process of looking into older stuff by her. I would say give her a try, check youtube where you see her singing songs written for other artists, Rihanna's Diamonds, David Guetta's Titanium, she also did Wild One with Flo Rida.

Un disco fantástico. Hay que mejorar el empaquetado. Llego con un pequeño defecto en una esquina.

なかなか良いアルバムです。

Sia! at first I thought it was some another selena or beyonce or meghan or demi! But Sia is an exceptional singer and her vocal range, just outta this world! this album is an example for it! that too chandelier woo what a song! can't wait for her next album!

I've loved Sia for years and always thought she didn't get the widespread recognition she deserved: most people don't know her by name but if you say "the girl that sang Titanium" they go "Oh yeah, I loved that song", and well, that's about as much as they know about this gem of a songstress. The video for the first single from this album, Chandelier, has been pulling in the views at almost a million per day since its release and currently stands at over 50 million views. The song has hit top ten status in many countries around the world and has put people on notice--will the rest of the album be able to reach the bar set by "Chandelier"? "1000 Forms Of Fear", from watching many interviews with Sia, seems to be the album she's been working toward for much of the latter part of her career. Whereas her previous labels felt she should refrain from exploring the more "pop-py" side of her talent, she's finally found a label and producer (Greg Kurstin) willing to follow her down the path she's been trying to forge, and fortunately for all involved (and with their support and talent combined with hers), this album shows this path was destined for Sia all along. Sia has described her song-writing as "soul vomit", where she taps into feelings churning deep inside her until they suddenly burst forth and pour into her music. The songs on this album seem to reflect the fears a lot of us have in life, the dark experiences, the struggles with love and loss, exposure and rejection. Songs like the hauntingly beautiful "Straight for the Knife" which warns about the danger of loving a bad boy: you get hurt, but you still feel pulled back in. "Big Girls Cry", with its soaring chorus hits the broken hearted especially hard. "Free The Animal" is a combination of 80s power vocals, 90's electronica, and modern vocal processing, with Sia virtually screaming the chorus with an energy few artists show today. "Cellophane" again tears at the soul with Sia's gifted vocal abilities on full display, her voice cracking with quiet desperation, then powering up into her trademark vibrato and vocal acrobatics, twisting her melodies in ways few other artists can. I think some of the things I most like about Sia is her talent for creating melodies that are both catchy and complex, and a singing style that is ornate without being "showy for the sake of showing off". Very few singers with a voice as good as hers know how to control it as well as Sia can; or are able to pack emotion and sincerity into every lyrical phrase the way that she can. Listening to the lyrics and atmosphere of the songs on this album, you can tell that they've been crafted from pain, love, loss and redemption. There is a large variety of styles represented here, but Sia's vocals and lyrics combined with Greg Kurstin's production weaves a common thread that keeps the various songs tied together. Despite the variety, there's a theme. It feels like we've been in the passenger seat of a wild ride with Sia at the wheel, wrestling a sports car through the twists, turns and canyons of her life. We can sense at times that she's lost control, spun out and nearly wrecked, but here we are at the end, where the last track "Dressed In Black" is the perfect finish. A heavy yet uplifting power ballad about a girl who'd given up on love and life, but finds real love that pulls her out of the blackness and pushes her into the light. With it's extended outro, "Dressed In Black" grants us release from a musical journey that I found touching, exciting, sometimes depressing but in the end hopeful, and gives us a glimpse into the wonderful soul of Sia; and if this album is the reflection of her life in the last few years, I hope that the reaction of the musical community and her new fans (and old!) give her renewed strength to handle the fame and accolades this album will should bring her.

excellent