School is back in session kids! Lady Gaga was the featured artist during the last lecture and we're going to be looking at another interesting female artist today too; Australian songstress, Sia. We're only going to be looking at Sia's solo works, so sorry Zero 7 fans, you'll just have to wait for another day. For those of you who slept through the first class (or got caught up in crazy daydreams involving the Gaga and Beyonce... perverts), Report Card takes a look back on every single an artist has released over their career and grades them based on the song and accompanying music video. At the end an overall grade will be assigned. In the last edition Lady Gaga received a solid B+ for her efforts so far. Will Sia join her, passing with flying colours? Or is she doomed to fail? Let the lesson begin...
Taken For Granted
It works as a nice introduction to Sia's unique voice and the video is pretty much Paranormal Activity, but... it's not the most exciting song to make a big debut with. Still, it's better than 98.9% of the other music released in 2000.
Song: B
Video: C+ (Paranormal Activity sucked)
Little Man
Again, nice vocals, BUT... the video is very generic and offers the viewer nothing of note and the same can pretty much be said of the song. The Wookie remix is very, very good though.
Song: C+
Video: F
Drink To Get Drunk
I think that having no video for 'Drink To Get Drunk' works in Ms Furler's favour as you're left with her voice as the main focus. And it's on fine form here.
Song: A-
Breathe Me
Perfect. In every single way. 'Breathe Me' was instantly immortalized when it was used as the final song in Six Feet Under. If there's some sort of list of songs you NEED to listen to during your life then I hope this is on it.
Song: A+
Video: A+
Don't Bring Me Down
Sia really found herself as a songwriter on her second studio album. 'Don't Bring Me Down' works perfectly as the follow up to 'Breathe Me.' It's a huge shame that there's no official music video for this one.
Song: A
Numb
Animated music videos are generally awesome and 'Numb' proves it. Ok, no it doesn't, but it's a beautiful piece of work. The song is more experimental than many of the other tracks on Sia's sophomore set which really helps it stand out.
Song: B+
Video: A
Where I Belong
I can't help but feel a bit 'meh' when listening to 'Where I Belong.' When compared to the three songs that preceded it, it comes across as a bit average really. Again, no video.
Song: C
Pictures
Sia's happiest sounding single to date. I say sounding because the lyrics are still pretty depressing. The video is a nice change of pace and works pretty well as a comedy clip.
Song: B
Video: B-
Day Too Soon
Great song with an even better video. The video's simplicity makes it so effective and Sia's never looked better.
Song: A-
Video: A-
The Girl You Lost To Cocaine
Sia shows off her impressive costume collection in the video! 'The Girl You Lost To Cocaine' is the perfect pop song that you were never going to hear on commercial radio and only because of the use of the word cocaine. Sucks. There's a ton of good remixes to this track too, but I'll leave those for you to discover.
Song: A
Video: A
Soon We'll Be Found
Her writing on tracks like this are the reason why she's in demand to write for superstars (?) like Christina Aguilera. And the video... well, it doesn't get much better than that. Creative, inspiring, thought-provoking. Everything music should be and then some. Why did we not hear this on the radio and why weren't music channels playing the video?
Song: A+
Video: A+
Buttons
This song you should definitely know. It's one of the few Sia tracks that actually got a substantial amount of radio play and with good reason! I'm not so sure about the video which is kind of a what not to wear on your face guide. I guess it gets some points for creativity.
Song: A
Video: B
You've Changed
So, we arrive at the singles taken from Sia's latest release, We Are Born. More fun than her previous releases and, unsurprisingly, her best commercial showing in international markets (#2 - Australian ARIA charts). 'You've Changed' was also Sia's best showing on the singles charts in AUS, peaking at #31. It should have gone to #1.
Song: A-
Video: B
Under The Milky Way
Sia's done some great covers in her time ('Paranoid Android' and 'Gimme More'), but I didn't really get into 'Under The Milky Way.' Maybe you'll like it.
Song: C+
Clap Your Hands
See, do you get what I mean about Sia bringing the fun in these days? Another winning track and possibly her weirdest video yet. Still, it all works.
Song: B+
Video: B
After a rocky start, Sia rebounded beautifully with her sophomore album and hasn't looked back since, going from strength to strength with each subsequent release. At the moment it's been reported that she's suffering from Grave's Disease and It's My Kind of Scene wishes her a speedy recovery so she can get back to what she does best (and what she clearly loves doing) - creating music for her devoted fans. Get well soon Sia!
Overall Grade: A-
- Sia takes the lead.... sorry LG.
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