Arista
Alternative Pop, 1999
Yes, Dido is the woman whose voice is sampled in Eminem’s track Stan. Thanks to Eminem, Dido is thrust into the limelight once again. From giving this CD No Angel a spin, I can say that Dido is like Sarah McLachlan on speed trip. Tracks like the beautiful Thank You and My Lover’s Gone will be right at home in Fumbling Towards Ecstasy.
Then watch as Dido goes into dance mode in her Here With Me and Hunter. Then, she slides down the pace and goes all lounge lizard-like and dull in the last few tracks until I snooze peacefully into dreamland.
No Angel is, overall, smooth and creamy, like a full cup of milk shake. There are moments of sheer divine pleasure – Dido’s vocals give her otherwise mundane lyrics enough body to be memorable. But Dido can also tend to be too mellow, singing tunes more suited to lounge lizards than anything else.
No Angel is a nice introduction to Dido’s music. It’s very listenable if too mellow at times. What’s next on this lady’s playlist? Hopefully some soul searching to find her own voice and identity.
