The Philosophy Tree [Barnes & Noble Exclusive]

by Ellie Lawson

Overview

Despite an initial push for her single "Gotta Get Up from Here" in late 2004, Atlantic Records declined to release Ellie Lawson's debut album, The Philosophy Tree. Shortly after being dropped by Atlantic, Lawson picked up the pieces and got herself an appearance on Ellen DeGeneres' successful daytime talk show. Following that appearance, Barnes & Noble came to the rescue, arranging an exclusive release of the album through its retail stores, and in August 2005 Philosophy Tree finally appeared. And it's weird that Atlantic passed, because Lawson's debut is a dead ringer for Unwritten, the debut of similarly blonde, similarly British Natasha Bedingfield that blew up the U.K. charts. On Philosophy as on Unwritten, strong melodies and empowering lyrics guide programmed beats puttering lightly under strummed acoustic guitars, and samples and swirling string effects fill out the mix. For her part Lawson tries out some boho rapping on "Bigger Than You Ever Imagined," and "Why the Fighting" is urban-savvy, street-level pop. "Gotta Get Up from Here" really is a great single -- DJ Lethal's production meshes the organic and electronic sides ably as Lawson sings about a life crisis at 25 -- and "Down with You" blends R&B flavors with beguiling pop jangle. William Orbit also contributes to "Inside Out" and "LA," perhaps accounting for the latter sounding a lot like Beth Orton. All of this music is on a descending line from Alanis Morissette to Nelly Furtado to Dido. But that doesn't make it bad in the least. Lawson's The Philosophy Tree might be sort of calculated, but like Bedingfield, she has a vocal charm that's hard to fake. ~ Johnny Loftus

Product Details

Release Date:	08/02/2005
Label:	Barnes & Noble / Whatever It Takes
UPC:	0853793001002

Tracks

1. L.A.
2. Gotta Get Up from Here
3. Down with You
4. Open the Door
5. Never Be the Same
6. Hour of Need
7. Inside Out
8. Bigger Than You Ever Imagined
9. 999
10. Get What's Mine
11. Friends
12. Why the Fighting

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ellie Lawson   Primary Artist,Piano,Guitar,Keyboards,Organ (Hammond),Vocals (Background)
Jeff Phillips   Bass,Guitar
Oliver Goldstein   Keyboards
Ron Thaler   Drums,Percussion,Electronic Drums
Leor DiMant   Keyboards

Technical Credits

Matthew Gerrard   Composer,Producer
Bridget Benenate   Composer
William Orbit   Composer
Beth Orton   Composer
David Mantel   Mixing,Producer,Executive Producer
Mark Rutherford   Composer
Mark Obriski   Design,Photography,Art Direction
Leor DiMant   Composer,Drum Programming
Marvin Scott Jarrett   Photography
Mary Gormley   A&R
Serban Ghenea   Mixing
Ellie Lawson   Mixing,Concept,Arranger,Composer,Producer,Vocal Arrangement
Chris Gehringer   Mastering
Franne Golde   Composer
Jeff Phillips   Composer