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Entertainment WeeklyThe brushed drums and acoustic guitars of 'Anniversary' allow her whispery voice room to breathe. [10 Aug 2007, p. 69]
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Beauty & Crime is, without reservation, the defining creative moment of Suzanne Vega's career thus far.
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It's trim rather than hurried, does not waste a note and, because of that, may be the best of Vega's seven studio albums.
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While the lovely melodies and Vega's hushed vocals make it perfectly good background music, to achieve the full effect you have to listen to those lyrics--she's one of the finest lyricists of recent times.
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Underneath all of those lush, gorgeous strings, [producer] Hogarth then layered the electronic beats, delays, fades, and distortions that lend the album its freshness and vitality.
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Thanks to a keen sense of proportion and concision--and the unmannered integrity of Ms. Vega’s singing style--the album isn’t ponderous.
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Almost every song is a gem, the lyrics thoughtful and melodies memorable.
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Beauty & Crime, an artful array distinguished by classy sonic design and lyrical charm.
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The results are richly satisfying throughout.
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Nothing too dire mars Vega’s compositions, which remain as condensed and detailed as Victorian miniatures.
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The first five cuts on Beauty & Crime are absolutely gorgeous--near and sheer perfection.... The remaining songs, while enjoyable and meeting Ms. Vega’s usually high lyrical standards, don’t gel quite as smoothly.
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Under The RadarBeauty & Crime is an effective meeting point between her folky organic side and more experimental bent, and is populated with her strongest melodies since the dazzling "Nine Objects of Desire." [Summer 2007, p.91]
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 18 out of 20
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Mixed: 1 out of 20
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Negative: 1 out of 20
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Oct 30, 2014
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ChrisCOct 4, 2007
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PadraigJ.Aug 8, 2007