ACED Magazine

Artist: Sia
Album: Some People Have Real Problems
Web Dwelling: http://www.myspace.com/siamusic

Who'd a thunk the masses would take a serious musical rec from Perez Hilton of all people? It's mildly disturbing when one thinks on it too hard. But, if you're one of those that actually did take the celebrity tabloid blogger's advice, and paid close attention to his new discovery, Zero 7's Sia Furler, then you'll know that he can be counted on to be credible in this instance at least.

Couple that with the uber power of influence that is MySpace, and triple it with a highly enthusiastic review from Rolling Stone Magazine (the most credible source out of them all), and you'll find that you've got a genuine phenomenon on your hands.

With a Tori Amos-like seductive tease in her voice, Sia endears us in "Lentil", setting the stage for what will be an eclectic mix of genre and sound on her third solo LP, Some People Have Real Problems. With its oxymoronic cover, pitting Crayola drawings in burst of color and mocking title, together with a playful Sia who draws on her face as if the only problem she might contemplate at the moment is whether or not those markers are permanent, the offering seems like it would be a simple something worth missing out on. But that's deceiving, and need we remind you not to judge...an album by its cover...

On "Day Too Soon" she puts us in the mind of a Nikka Costa, only with less rasping. Pleasantly soulful, Sia really is like a kid on her playground; good at what she does, but perfectly willing to share what she creates with all the other kids. Just listen to the skillful cadence in her voice which she puts to use rather gloriously to create beautiful melodies.

Sia picks up pace on "The Girl You Lost To Cocaine". Her dismissal of a lover-gone-bad comes off with much more celebratory bravado that inspires rather than puts down the way her brilliantly irreverent counter-part, Kate Nash, does. The track seems misplaced though; sort of stuck in the middle of ballads "You Have Been Loved" and "Academia" - whom she shares vocals on chorus with non other than the ever-experimenting/evolving Beck. While his involvement is as subtle as it comes, Beck's lilting accompaniment accentuates Sia's colors well.

The real gems, however, present themselves in the darkly stunning "I Go To Sleep", where Sia's declaration of everlasting love resonates deeply along with "Soon We'll Be Found", and the haunting "Beautiful Calm Driving" (for which we swear she puts Fiona Apple to her paces). She sings these so beautifully, it affects your level of concentration.

These songs are hard to miss, even if you're not paying attention. She draws you in. In some instances, one could even laugh and say "This is what listening to Amy Winehouse would be like if she had her life together." But that's a fluke. Sia is her own creation. And she has her own problems. But, instead of turning them into storm clouds of self-deprecation, Sia draws rainbows with her permanent markers. Proof positive that sobering wisdom can be fun. Yay prophetic epiphany! Seriously though, we appreciate the difference.

Sia is currently on a predominantly sold-out tour across the States, which will culminate with a coveted appearance at SXSW Music Festival in Texas. Some People Have Real Problems is out now. Do yourself a favor and pick it up.

This Reviewer's Rating: 4 / 5

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