Vienna Teng Album: “Dreaming Through the Noise”

Like everyone else has said, this album is definitely different from Vienna's first two -- more polished, more "sophisticated" maybe. Other instruments beside the piano play a more prominent part. Her voice also seems smoother, a little less breathy.

My personal favorites -- "Blue Caravan" had me hooked from the first time I heard it on a televised concert from last year. "City Hall" almost made me cry the first time I listened to it, from the pure gladness that comes out of the music -- there's always a song on her albums that makes me want to cry...

"Recessional" is so beautiful it gives me the shivers.

The bottom line is, this is a great CD. New, different, but still that wonderful Vienna Teng.

With Dreaming Through the Noise, Vienna Teng has ventured into new territory. The darker, more atmospheric tone of this album doesn't have a predecessor -- there's only a trace of similarity in earlier songs like "Momentum" and "Passage." Upon my first listen, I wasn't sure I liked this new style that much: Vienna's voice sounded strangely muted among trumpets and strings, and I wasn't happy that the piano took a backseat to the new instruments. This sound is more orchestral and on the whole, less lyrically complex. Her trademark storytelling songs have mostly been replaced with repeated choruses, syllables, and hums. The new lyrics are also not as accessible and a little more difficult to understand (think Radiohead and early Tori Amos), but the good news is that the gorgeously detailed music is worth the extra effort. This set of songs trades narratives for lush moods, and the result is no less beautiful. The readiest example: "Now Three" is about a child like "Lullabye For A Stormy Night" and "Anna Rose" from her first two albums, but instead of sentimental lyrics, Vienna relies on a more dense, haunting sound to evoke the mindset of someone overwhelmed by love. One thing that hasn't changed is her refreshing range of topics -- she tackles emotional instability in "I Don't Feel So Well," an apprehensive individual faced with a new apartment and noisy upstairs neighbors in the rocking "1BR/1BA," and current events in "Whatever You Want," a surprisingly upbeat song about corporate scandal, "Pontchartrain," an eerie, dreamy elegy for New Orleans, and "City Hall," a country-tinged celebration of the same-sex marriage rulings in San Francisco. My favorite song on the album is "Recessional," which chronicles of the rise and fall of a relationship in reverse. For anyone who might be disappointed by the lack of storytelling songs, this one proves she can still pack a punch.

I can't really rank this album against the others because it's so different -- moody, jazzy, full of longing, packed with minor keys, stringed solos, and...an accordion? Each one shows a different side of her, and I'm glad to add this one to the mix. Turn to Waking Hour for intimate confessionals, Warm Strangers for genre-defying sounds and storytelling, and DTTN for evocative soundscapes. It took a couple of listens, but I love this album and can't wait to see which direction she goes next. Put on your headphones, close your eyes, and rest assured that with three albums to her name, Vienna isn't through surprising everyone yet.

Vienna Teng has often expressed a desire not to get into a rut, to produce the same old stuff over and over again. This is disappointing for those of us who actually like her old music, her lovely voice with gorgeous piano accompaniment. But if she wants her music to mature along with her career, I respect that, and I'll happily go along for the ride.

Vienna has certainly succeeded in branching out; don't buy this album if you want to hear a redux of Waking Hour or Warm Strangers. Sure, some of the tracks hark back to those days, such as "Whatever You Want" (upbeat with a heck of a musical hook in the chorus) and "Nothing Without You" (a quiet, wistful melody). "City Hall" is deceptive; like "Shasta," both conceal a punch to the gut within the happy country vibe.

The rest of the album is dark, seductive, experimental. Vienna is clearly trying something different in each song, whether it's the strange tonalities in "I Don't Feel So Well" or the self-conscious syncopation in "1BR/1BA". "Pontchartrain" is elegaic and haunting, and although it's undeniably beautiful, you won't be able to listen to it too often. "Recessional" is definitely one of my favorites, demonstrating that although Vienna is trying on new musical styles, she definitely hasn't lost her brilliant touch when writing lyrics.

Vienna has also switched to using her breathy lower alto range instead of bringing in the high soprano featured in the first two albums; this gives the songs a feeling of intimacy, but definitely makes her voice take a back seat to the instrumentals. Sometimes there are so many instruments that her voice becomes hard to pick out.

This album will not sound too familiar to longtime Vienna fans. However, she rewards listeners with an amazing range of musical styles, tied together into a coherent whole. After listening to this a few times, reading the lyrics over and letting them sink in... I was very moved. This one definitely grew on me, and I intend to keep it close.

I have been a fan of Vienna's for a very long time. I have all three of her albums, and have to say, you won't find a more haunting voice, nor will you find music that can reach your soul so deeply. The single most amazing performer currently working. If you get a chance to see her live, you will become a devotee as much as I am.

Dreaming Through the Noise is indie music sensation Vienna Teng's third album. She managed to keep her same style as Warm Strangers and Waking Hour (her first two CDs) while not becoming boring or repetitive. One of Vienna's most admirable qualities is her ability to reach out to a diverse audience from eclectic college students to their grandparents with her soft beats and capturing lyrics. I highly recommend seeing Vienna Teng in concert. She is one of the most personable artists out there. She told wonderful and funny stories inbetween her songs, which allows the audience to see and understand her inspirations. If the music doesn't reach out to your heart, no matter your stance in life, surely her sweet disposition will. Vienna stayed after her concert to sign autographs for as long as needed and didn't mind slightly star stuck fans, such as myself. Vienna takes requests for what songs to play during her shows and you can truly tell how much she loves what she does. She is not in the business for the money or fame but for simple love of music which shows during her performances and in every lyric of her song. Dreaming Through the Noise is a great album full of life, love, and heartbreak. I greatly recommend buying this CD and going to her concert.

For newcomers to Vienna, try Warm Strangers or Waking Hour first. You'll be amazed at how fast you become a fan.