Anything is the reedition of Martina Topley-Bird's Quixotic, a debut album that went unnoticed in the US, despite garnering rave reviews in the U.K. If you wonder who Martina Topley-Bird is, she is none other than The Voice behind some of Tricky's records like Maxinquaye and Pre-Millenium Tension.
By looking at her background and the cover of this CD depicting a very Afro naked Martina, you would expect some kind of stew of trip-hop, soul, funk and disco. While her gorgeous voice has distinctive "black" depth and warmth, it is clear that as soon as you hear the first song and title track, she has her own distinctive style, which against all odds finds its roots in rock. Think Macy Gray if she could rock on a light electronic background for the full length of a CD.
Anything alternates between beautiful and suave ballads and charismatic rock tunes with an omnipresent psychedelic sub-theme and some hints of. jazz, blues and soul. It's no surprise that Quixotic was renamed Anything for the occasion as the title track is a bewitching melancholic tune. Songs like "Need One" have a rousing 70's spirit but with the emphasis on groovy rhythms and voice rather than on guitars—it's updated 70's music in the spirit of a Primal Scream.
"Soul Food" is the song that gets closer to a Macy Gray and the following "Ilya" is the only disappointment here, boring as often trip-hop can be. "I Still Feel" is another fine anthem with a dreamy chorus backed by discreet saturated guitars. "Sandpaper Kisses" is like a Chris Isaak song bathed in soul & trip-hop—its melody and sweet vibe will surely haunt you; there is even "Lullaby", a bluesy acoustic song that would fit well on a Hope Sandoval CD. In the spirit of the cold and hot feel of this CD, "Too tough to die" is a vicious track with a saturated bass, almost industrial and another strong entry of this album, which truly deserves recognition with this re-release
Martina Topley-Bird Anything
