Lessons To Be Learned - Gabriella Cilmi

Gabriella Cilmi at just 17 is a pretty young artist, so I'll try not to be too harsh on her as I work my way through reviewing the latest album by every Glastonbury act (where possible at least). This is the debut album by the Australian artist and musically it is quite varied, with a bit of everything from slightly experimental soft rock through to funk tinged heavier rock (though still not heavy) and then some soppy girly love songs. Lyrically, it seems directed at teenagers and there weren't that many parts of interest to me. There are some bursts of bluesiness in the vocals but generally words seem to be drawn out or mumbled and suffer from a ...  Read the complete review

Gabriella Cilmi Lessons to be learned (2008) The version that I am reviewing here is the 'European deluxe edition'. I say this as it appears there are many editions (at least 6) of this album, but this is the edition for download on iTunes for £5.99. If you think about it, this is quite a bargain, 17 songs for £6 or just over 35p per track.....though only a bargain if the songs are any good right? The first most of us will have heard about this singer is the single 'Sweet about me'. A massive pop hit across the World pretty much and deservedly so. 'Poppy' enough to appeal to the masses, yet a slightly sadistic undertone which makes it ...  Read the complete review

I first heard Gabriella Cilmi's song "Sweet About Me" when I was in the shower about 7 or 8 months ago. I fell in love with it instantly! The chorus got stuck in my head and I was desperate to find out who sung it, I could hear her distinctive voice in my mind over and over again. When I finally found out who it was I bought her album straight away, which was a bit of a gamble because she could easily have been one of those "one hit wonders" who has no other good songs. Luckily my gamble worked out well for me because I love every song on her album. She has a very bluesy/jazz style voice and it works well with the songs she has written. I don't ...  Read the complete review