Reviews "Bitter Tears"

Ella Blame is one of the most difficult to define artists I’ve listened to in a while. Just when you think you’re flying on a magic carpet you’re in that Jamiroquai video where the floor moves; halfway between a silvery Christmas jingle and a snowy coke dream. Whimsical as all hell, Blame’s Bitter Tears album is an over-the-rainbow collection of electronic and ambient tracks bordering on the psychedelic and the ethereal. With a handful of international collaborators, the album has a variety of sounds and instruments ranging from Indian flutes to Celtic folk all generously sprinkled in Blame’s pixie dust. Her highly robotic yet strangely sweet voice goes in and out throughout the album with operatic presence. – Alexandra Kain, Dig This Real, Issue 14

Imagine a cross between Laurie Anderson and Bjork and you’re not far from the voice of Ella Blame… Siouxsie Sioux and Happy Rhodes are others who come to mind, although Blame is difficult to pin down…Blame’s delivery is intimate, beguiling, and sometimes a tad scary (that’s what makes it fun). The overall musicianship on Bitter Tears is mesmerizing in a weird way, underscoring the strengths of a strange and unique voice. Not quite goth, not a cabaret vamp, but somewhere in between. -- Mark Newman, Progression Magazine, Issue 55

Ella Blame continues to make edgy yet accessible music. She's still a strong presence vocally and is not afraid of experimenting. The densely throbbing "Cyberlover" is stuff to be proud of. Blame is not one to take an easy way out when she can throw a curveball. The spooky "Incurable" tiptoes delicately round its melody like Björk can do. "Bitter Tears" is haunted and dramatic, and Blame's acrobatic vocals don't let it down. It's another song that would easily fail in less assured hands. The closing "Hymn of Goodbye" is a suitable song to end the album. It's almost celestial and sweet, Blame's vocals angelic. -- Anna Maria Stjärnell, the Ectophiles' Guide

Ella's voice is the song of a maddened siren, not luring you into the rocks but warning you of them. The music offers little hope in avoiding collision, but since the songs are so pleasurable, the seemingly inevitable impact can't seem all that bad. Unlike most "dark" music, where the sources of unease come from obvious places like a driving rhythm section, a screaming harpy or a sinister-toned guitar, on "Bitter Tears" the brightly lit kaleidoscopic funhouse of sound delivers in swirling unexpected twists and distorted mirrors. Sometimes it's as if Nino Rota dropped some acid and collaborated with Robin Guthrie. But "Bitter Tears" is NOT all weirdness and strange. There are moments on here where your OWN tears threaten to fall, NOT from bitterness, but from the sheer beauty of Ella's voice and the songs themselves. The melody, and the floating vibrations of "Slippery Slope" and "Bit For Bit" are spiritually arresting, like a cosmic, karmic backrub. In these songs Ella offers you her warm hand and smiles along the journey. It's one you'll want to take with her again and again. I HIGHLY recommend this album! In fact, buy one or two for some friends. They'll love you for it. -- Desmond Ambrose

Ella Blame comes from a different place entirely. She's one of the most original musicians I've ever heard. Honestly, listening to her CD Baby clips will give you a better impression than I can explain in words…Her performance on "Bitter Tears" (from her 2008 album of the same name) sounds like Sarah Brightman on two different kinds of acid, and when Sarah announced that her next record was going to piss off her record label, I hoped it'd sound a lot more like this. You've got drama already from the title and strings, and then those vocals come in, processed into the uncanny valley, operatic and brassy and commanding. The music has plenty of twists, of course, but this song's all about the singing…These don't even begin to sum her music up, though, so again, just go to CD Baby and listen. I sound like a shill and I guess, in this case, I am. This is worth it though. -- Sarah Morayati @ Self as Fractal

Bitter Tears definitely stands on its own as an album worth listening to and taken seriously. -- Darryl Gregory, Indie-Music

Right from the first song "Cyberlover" you will feel like you entered a hidden territory where there is a lot to discover...Her new CD "Bitter Tears" has 11 songs and each and everyone of them can easily be your most favorite one. Listening to Ella is like being in a big mansion, each song opens up the door to a different room... with different colors, different decorations, different time frames. By the time the CD is over you ask yourself "Where was I just now?" ... that is if you think you are back... -- Hande Burdg, TheProgFiles

Some say that it's possible for anyone to release one good album, now Ella Blame proves that she's more that an easily forgotten one-time newcomer and that she deserves to be considered a true artist in her own fashion... Ella has gained some maturity and "Bitter Tears" is even better, if possible, than its predecessor... Don't hesitate one second and get "Bitter Tears", it is the work of an achieved artist with her own, very personal universe. -- Shaomi

I absolutely cannot say enough about this talented young lady and her new Album/CD. Bitter Tears is sexy, soulfully tasteful, bitterly sweet, playful and genius. I find myself 'transfixed' when listening to her voice. To put it in to two descriptive words: "Sadece güzel" (Simply beautiful). -- dj Rimzi

Beautiful Haunting Unusual Music - I've been meaning to write this review for a long time now. Ella Blame is an amazing artist whose lyrics have a deep meaning and whose unique voice gives me goosebumps. Buy this album and kick it up a notch in your life, you won't be disappointed with this musical art! It will move your soul and your spirit. -- Mary Lou Springstead

Fans of free-form electronica and improvisation are going to eat this up; likewise fans of Kate Bush or other ethereal-voiced artists. The other comparison that comes to mind is Milla Jovovich, who has played around in similar musical genres and has a similarly unique voice. Give Ella Blame a listen. It will be hit or miss, but I promise you. If it hits you you'll be thanking me... -- Wildy Haskell

The second album "Bitter Tears" shows a more introverted side of Ella, the songs tend more towards ballads - but with a sting. The lyrics dive deep into the emotions that come with infatuation, saying goodbye, disappointment, grief and being empowered….All 11 songs are gems. I couldn’t pick a favorite... -- Thon Huijser

Ella Blame has a lot to offer. Collaborating with different electronic artists to create her ambient, natural sounding, distinct melodies, Ella's vocals bleed perfectly into the instrumentation. It's almost as if Bjork met the Medieval Times met electronic music… -- Ben Meredith, URB Magazine

Review "Bitter Tears" by Alexandra Kain - Dig This Real, Issue 14:

Review "Bitter Tears" by Mark Newman - Progression Magazine, Issue 55: