No Angel (CD - 1999)

Personnel: Dido (vocals, recorder, keyboards); Rick Nowels (acoustic guitar, Wurlitzer piano, Chamberlin, keyboards); Paulie Herman (guitar, harmonica); John Themis (electric guitar, percussion); Rusty Anderson, Martin McCory (electric guitar); Dave Randall (guitar); Mark Felton (harmonica); Mark Bates (piano, Wurlitzer piano, organ, keyboards); Paul Statham (piano, keyboards); Duncan Bridgeman, Peter Vittese (keyboards, programming); Sister Bliss, Bruce Aisher (keyboards); Aubrey Nunn, Tim Vogt, Youth, John Pierce (bass); Richie Stevens, Geoff Dugmore (drums, percussion); Matty Benbrook (drums, programming); Mal Hyde Smith, Sudha (percussion); Rollo, James Sanger, Jony Rockstar, Nick Manasseh (programming); Pauline Taylor, Rachel Brown, Aquila (background vocals).

Producers include: Rick Nowels, Dido, Rollo, Duncan Bridgeman, Sister Bliss.

Engineers include: Ash Howes, Phill Brown, Goetz.

The title notwithstanding, this debut from the former Faithless singer is pretty angelic-sounding stuff. You're bound to think of Sinéad O'Connor, but the comparison is as misleading as it is inevitable. Granted, Dido's ethereal vocals here frequently recall O'Connor; but Dido's music -- while inventively augmented with electronics -- is generally less adventurous. Ditto No Angel's lyrics, which focus almost exclusively on love, lust, and relationships. That said, the fact remains that this is an auspicious and highly listenable album -- atmospheric, seductive, and beautifully produced and sequenced. ~ Jeff Burger

UK chanteuse Dido uses her undisputed pop vocal smarts to enchant the listener from the outset of her solo debut NO ANGEL. Captivating songs laced with electronica, trip-hop and rock combine effortlessly with the singer/songwriter's sultry vocals to create a fresh sounding, vibrant release.

Tracks like "Don't Think of Me," "All You Want," and "Thank You," are strong and powerful but never overwhelming. There are also some more ambient-type cuts, such as "My Lover's Gone" and "Here With Me," where swirling, airy sound textures envelop the song. Throughout NO ANGEL, Dido's melting vocals enfold the listener. Disarming cuts like "Honestly OK," "My Life," and "I'm No Angel," are immediately engaging. The album also includes a bonus track, "Take My Hand." minimize