Tarja Turunen appreciation thread

[ronnibran]

OK, so I know there have been side discussions about Tarja on the Nightwish thread, but decided to start my own thread just about Tarja's solo career.

Anyone see the new official video of her new song?  https://youtu.be/dqZs-DFtx9g

I have to admit, I really, really like it.  I have the 3 rock based solo albums.  I like "What Lies Beneath" the most, by far.  If you are a fan of Tarja, or the Nightwish albums with her, check it out.  It is soooo good.

Looks like her new album has so much material written and recorded that it's basically going to be a couple of albums.  I'm stoked.  https://www.tarjaturunen.com/en/news/tarjaannounces-the-releaseof-the-brightestvoid-the-prequel-and-reveals-cover-art-work-and-tracklist-over50minutesofnewmusic-out-on-june-3rd-2016/#.VxgiotLmrIU

[Adami]

I mostly dig her stuff. There's a few moments where she gets way too over the top, even for me.

I think my main issue with her is how manufactured it all feels. I feel like her thought process is "Well....I don't really like this kind of music all that much, but it's where the money comes from, so I guess it's what I have to do..."

[gazinwales]

Tarja will always be my preferred singer for Nightwish.
But her solo material has been hit and miss for me.
I actually prefer her classical material over the heavier stuff.

[ronnibran]

Tarja will always be my preferred singer for Nightwish.
But her solo material has been hit and miss for me.
I actually prefer her classical material over the heavier stuff.

Interesting... I haven't even checked out a single note of the classical stuff.  I'll have to do that.

[McNugg]

Travelled to Nottingham two years ago to see her and she really is amazing live.  An absolute sight to behold.  And Mike Terrana!!   

What Lies Beneath is probably also my favourite though I love all her post Nightwish material.  It's amazing how much stronger her voice became after leaving Nightwish, just so thankful we now have both her and Nightwish making their own material both as awesome as each other        Not so sure about the newest single at the moment but i'm sure it'll grow on me like everything else has.

[Prog Snob]

Tarja is great. She will always be THE singer of Nightwish for me. Not that the other singers aren't good in their own way, but it's her voice that brought my attenion to the band. I love her solo work more than the newer Nightwish material. I'd love to see her live at some point.

[kaos2900]

Agree that her solo is hit or miss but I'll continue to purchase them. The one thing that bugs me about her is how awkward she is on stage. I picked up her blu-ray dirt cheap a few years back and it was so hard to watch because of how strange she is on stage.

[Evermind]

I own three of her solo albums (My Winter Storm, What Lies Beneath and Colours in the Dark). They're nothing spectacular, but still nice. My Winter Storm is by far my favourite of these, thought What Lies Beneath also has a lot of good tunes. I only listened to Colours in the Dark once as I bought and it didn't do a lot for me. I should revisit this one.

[bosk1]

The only album I have is What Lies Beneath.  I have heard other songs here and there, and none of it really did much for me at all.  That also goes for her guest spot with Within Temptation a little while back.  I loved her in Nightwish.  But none of the solo stuff makes me want to listen.  I think this is a part of it:

I think my main issue with her is how manufactured it all feels. I feel like her thought process is "Well....I don't really like this kind of music all that much, but it's where the money comes from, so I guess it's what I have to do..."

That said, especially since this is an appreciation thread, let me just say that I think she is immensely talented and I really respect her singing ability.  I wish things had not become toxic in Nightwish between her and the band (and I think all parties involved, including band management and her husband, contributed to the situation).  But her voice was so well suited to the music of Nightwish, and vice-versa.

[ronnibran]

I checked out her classical stuff and... not for me!!!  I can understand why and that some people may dig it, but I couldn't do it.

As far as her 3 rock albums,  I rank them What Lies Beneath > Colours in the Dark  > My Winter Storm.  The first of those 2 I listen to regularly, and more than the Nightwish albums she's on.  I don't listen to My Winter Storm nearly as much.  Actually, I only have 2 of the Nightwish albums she's on, I should check the others out (I have Once and Century Child).

Anyways, was inspired to create the thread b/c I love the new song.

[Cool Chris]

I appreciate the fact that, after being booted out of a popular band when they were on a roll and showed no signs of letting up, she didn't dwell on it and instead went on to release material that her fans seem to enjoy. I have liked what solo material I have heard from her, but haven't pulled the trigger on any purchases. I definitely like her "era" with NW more than the Annette "era."

[cramx3]

Loved her in Nightwish but never dug into her solo stuff.  Seems like I should check it out.

[Adami]

Listening to No Bitter End right now and watching the video.









...........no. This is just bad.

[ronnibran]

Listening to No Bitter End right now and watching the video.









...........no. This is just bad.

I actually REALLY like that song.  But the real reason for posting is excitement that the first of the new albums will be available within hours!  I just pre-ordered on amazon and will download as soon as I get to work.  So excited.

[McNugg]

As huge a fan of Tarja as I am, the new teaser prequel whatever its called album thingy sounds like a load of b-sides or extra tracks they just found lying around.  Can't say i'm too fond of them.  Still looking forward to the proper album though.

[kaos2900]

That's too bad. I'll probably still pick it up today.

[ronnibran]

I like this new cd more than My Winter Storm & Colours.  Not as good as "What Lies Beneath", but I realize the best stuff is probably saved for the next cd.  Need more listens until I know which are my favorites.  But in general, I like the direction of the new songs.

[Prog Snob]

Listening to No Bitter End right now and watching the video.









...........no. This is just bad.

I actually REALLY like that song.  But the real reason for posting is excitement that the first of the new albums will be available within hours!  I just pre-ordered on amazon and will download as soon as I get to work.  So excited.

Same here. I especially love the bridge and chorus.

[ronnibran]

"House of Wax", "Eagle Eye", and "Your Heaven and Your Hell" are my initial favorites.  Diggin the album, despite it just being the shorter teaser album.

[Darkstarshades]

Don't miss her, one bit.
Xena kicks her ass so hard.

[McNugg]

Don't miss her, one bit.
Xena kicks her ass so hard.

It's been over 10 years.  Let it go    Singing isn't a competition.

I've grown to really like The Brightest Void I must say.  Took me a few weeks but really enjoy it now.  And if the rest of The Shadow Self is as good as Innocence then I know i'm going to love that too   The video for Innocence is particularly brilliant.

[Darkstarshades]

Don't miss her, one bit.
Xena kicks her ass so hard.

It's been over 10 years.  Let it go    Singing isn't a competition.

I've grown to really like The Brightest Void I must say.  Took me a few weeks but really enjoy it now.  And if the rest of The Shadow Self is as good as Innocence then I know i'm going to love that too   The video for Innocence is particularly brilliant.

I REALLY missed her when Anette was in.

[bosk1]

Me too.  But I've moved on.  I really liked Tarja in Nightwish, but haven't liked anything she has done since.  Bummer too.  Century Child and Once were two of my favorite albums from anybody during that time period.  If Nightwish had continued on that trajectory and not blown up, they would probably be one of my favorite bands right now.  But since they parted ways, neither side has done anything that really grabbed me.  Even the song Tarja did with Within Temptation really felt dubpar to me.

[NunoTenniscourt]

I never thought in a million years I would be happy with a Tarja replacement in Nightwish, but I am perfectly happy with Floor being the singer now.

Unfortunately, Tarja's solo material has done absolutely nothing for me, at all. This new song/video included. The song is very generic, and despite all the animated faces she's making, I just don't feel her heart is in it.

[Darkstarshades]

Tarja fans seem to refuse to accept the fact that you liked Tuomas's music.
Of course Tarja fits better than Floor on so many of the Tarja era songs (Ever Dream with Floor tho...), because the songs were written for her!
Personally, EFMB is a top 2015 album.
As for Tarja solo, I don't really follow her.

[Adami]

It's interesting that (with rare exception) Floor is told to not sing the older songs operatically.

[Darkstarshades]

Actually, on this last tour, she did sing some more operatic.

Probably to make her different, I personally like the way she sings Ever Dream way more than the original.

She totally owns Anette's songs, tho.
It would be interesting to see her try Siren.

[Adami]

Actually, on this last tour, she did sing some more operatic.

Probably to make her different, I personally like the way she sings Ever Dream way more than the original.

Which? Besides Stargazer. I admit I'm basing most of my stuff on official releases, so I just have the last DVD, but all the other old stuff was sung more rock.

[Zook]

Actually, on this last tour, she did sing some more operatic.

Probably to make her different, I personally like the way she sings Ever Dream way more than the original.

She totally owns Anette's songs, tho.
It would be interesting to see her try Siren.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvQznPZufl8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Frb2xc9GNZU

[Darkstarshades]

Actually, on this last tour, she did sing some more operatic.

Probably to make her different, I personally like the way she sings Ever Dream way more than the original.

She totally owns Anette's songs, tho.
It would be interesting to see her try Siren.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvQznPZufl8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Frb2xc9GNZU

How the fuck did I miss these videos?
Dang, just proves my point before.

[Darkstarshades]

Being a spanish speaker myself, I've frequently had to deal with the Latin American hatred for everything that is not Tarja.

The ending to that was just fucking amazing, really.
I can only point and laugh at all the spanish comments around claiming that Floor can't do what Tarja does, that video proves it, she just doesn't do it like her for the "Oh" parts and I don't know why.

[Adami]

Actually, on this last tour, she did sing some more operatic.

Probably to make her different, I personally like the way she sings Ever Dream way more than the original.

She totally owns Anette's songs, tho.
It would be interesting to see her try Siren.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvQznPZufl8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Frb2xc9GNZU

I mean, it sounds like she's still singing this rock style. The little oh oh parts are a bit operatic, but the vocals with lyrics are not.

I'm pretty sure aside from a few minor parts without lyrics, and Stargazers, she's sticking to rock style for all older songs.

Which is fine, I'm not complaining. Just thought it was odd since Floor is a super talented opera singer.

[Ben_Jamin]

I'd like to hear her sing Gethsemane.

[ronnibran]

Officially digging the new album The Shadow Self.  Innocence and Demons in Me are my early favorites.   It is a lot like What Lies Beneath to me, which is a good thing.  It's def in my top two of her albums (along with WLB), but not sure if it will top that one.  I doubt it but we'll see.

[cramx3]

She actually just came out and performed with Within Temptation for Paradise during the live stream of the concert.  Really awesome, although I think she sounded terrible.  My first time seeing her in a long time.