Lisa Marie Presley is a strong creative force on the music scene and we are better off for it! She is far more than just Elvis' daughter trying to scratch out a few tunes to put out a money maker album. Instead, this CD is an excellent example of her exceptional talent. This is also a great CD to start off with if you're not yet familiar with Lisa Marie's unusually strong talents. Why? First of all, this CD is full of songs Lisa Marie wrote herself. Also, Lisa Marie wears her heart on her sleeve. She exposes her raw emotions and honest feelings about media frenzy in her arrangement of "Dirty Laundry." (This song was originally performed by Don Henley.) Lisa has even been quoted as saying "Making music is a way for me to come to terms with a lot of things about myself," she says. "A lot of the songs have to do with the fact that I am not part of groups or scenes. I am who I am. I've realized I'm quite vulnerable, which is opposite of what I pretend to be." Actually, many of these songs deal with common human feelings at one point in life or another; this helps you identify with her and the experience of listening is even better for it.

The CD opens with the incredibly strong "I'll Figure It Out." The ending song is extremely well done, "Now What." Lisa also triumphs when collaborating with other artists. She and Pink work together to produce the great song "Shine," awesome! Linda Perry also contributed some to the writings of some of the lyrics. Lisa has a natural ability to be refreshingly candid and honest in all the songs on this new CD. Her open minded qualities combined with her natural talents produce a superior performance many other singers could only hope to equal. Her voice itself is a musical instrument; she has a broad vocal range and she even writes her own lyrics to ten of the songs here! Presley's style is sensuous and assertive-and this only serves to strengthen her performance even further. Indeed, her strong vocal presence demands attention; but this is not a bad thing because giving her your total attention is as easy as breathing!

The CD really rocks! Check out the song called "Idiot;" it's very, very good! I also loved the arrangement on the song "Raven." Lisa says she was motivated to write this when she thought about her mother. That makes the song all the more touching! The song entitled "Now What" is so thoughtful and well put together, too! A fantastic close-but look for an extra hidden track that just might be there!

Lisa Marie is aided well by her team. Steve Jones, the guitarist from the Sex Pistols plays on two tracks, the biting "Idiot" and the song "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow." Eric Rosse produced the CD. (He produced her debut album as well.)

Overall, this Presley CD is a strong performance and a great addition to your collection, not to mention a great way to introduce yourself to Lisa Marie's talent. I truly look forward to her next CD! SMILE

Lisa Marie Presley seems to be putting herself out there with the frank lyrics and hard-edged arrangements of her deeply personal songs. Even the cover of "Dirty Laundry" sounds like she's whispering something private in your ear. She's a good singer and a great songwriter that knows how to write some great lyrics. Just for sake of comparison, she reminds me of a harder edged Sheryl Crow. Yeah, she's the daughter of the King of Rock N' Roll and was married to the King of Pop... but the amazing thing is she is nowhere near either of them in her style or singing. Elvis and Jackson were all about pop music and catchy dance moves; whereas, Lisa Marie is all about self confession.

Nearly all the tracks are stand-outs, but I really liked "Dirty Laundry" (nice new arrangement), "Idiot" (cool arrangement and Courtney Love lyrics) "When You Go" (a soaring chorus and guitar line), "Raven" (the song for her mom), and "I'll Figure it Out" (opens the album and sets the tone). You can't judge the singing, it's really all about the lyrics. It's a great CD for home or the car - like talking with an old friend and catching up on all her drama.

I saw Lisa Marie perform "Idiot" on the Ellen DeGeneres show and knew I had to have the CD. She performed the song so well live that it left me wishing she had not allowed her vocals to be so overprocessed in the recording studio for the CD. I admit that I don't reach for this CD often, because it's just such a reminder of what a sad little girl Lisa Marie really is. There are plenty of "kiss-my-a$$" rock-out songs on here (and PLENTY more cussing), but that's really just a manifestation of pain and lack of self-respect. She still stands in her father's shadow and even she knows herself that she'll never be able to escape it...yet she has never really been able to figure out just how to embrace it/make peace with it. Lisa Marie is the embodiment of pain, sadness, confusion, grief, and anger...and that is what makes it hard for me to listen to her music much. As I listen to these songs, they all seem to say the same things to me: "You're gone forever Daddy, what am I supposed to do now? How am I supposed to find my way? How am I supposed to know where I fit in?" She was the light of his life and the center of his world (well, after the drugs that is), as long as she was with him everything was good and she knew she was secure and right where she should be. That was abruptly taken away from her as a child and she has never found any solid ground to stand on since. Call me a geek, it just brings me down!

After reading some of the reviewers comments....I just had to write one of my own. First, I must say, that if you like good, core-driven, soul-bearing music that exemplifies honesty at its best, you will not only embrace, but crave, Lisa Marie Presley's music. Despite the pathetic fact that many people feel that she's trailing on the fumes of her iconic father, no one can deny the fact that, for many years, she did have to struggle with the decision to release music commercially for that very reason.

This second effort release, to me, packed an even greater punch than the first. More heart-bearing, more soulful, more complex - several tracks brought forth many emotions with intense, bone-chilling guitar riffs and hard-hitting rhythms, and other selections are juxtaposed with intense (at times tearful) straight to the heart lyrics that really hit home on many levels. When I find good (no let's say great!) music, I like to share it with everyone. I've shared Lisa Marie's music with many, many people. No one has been disappointed. In fact, many times, I've just given people an untitled CD that I burned and asked them to listen to it. Later I've told them who it was.....most were amazed, because they too, had a pre-conceived notion of what "she would be trying to sound like".

Okay, so let's face it...like any music or anything else, for that matter...either you like it or you don't. But, in Lisa Marie Presley's case, a least give yourself a chance to like it (or hate it) before you slam her with unwarranted comments based on borderline prejudice? And better yet, give yourself a real treat and go see her at one of her shows. She's an honest performer with a no-frills, all music approach...and backed by a group of wonderfullly talented musicians, etc.

I look very much forward to her third release whenever that may be. She may not top the charts in sales, but that doesn't seem to matter, possibly because she's Elvis' daughter (just a bit of sarcasm there!). She makes music because it's part of who she is...not part of who she wants to be.

Now What?" goes the title of Lisa Marie's second CD--a real question of true introspection begging an answer about what to do next...and the 11 songs on the cover aim to give the answer. Now What? Lisa Marie will definitely "figure it out."


The CD is a combination of guitar rock and blues. The music might be put in similar categories with those of Pink, Sheryl Crow, or the Cranberries. "Now What" goes from laid back ballads to hard hitting rock with flowing, non-stop tunes. All 11 songs are the love child of real life experiences with edge, cynicism, and no desire to please.

The songs are raw, yet polished. The lyrics are clear with no euphemisms--Lisa Marie tells it all like it is. It comes as a relief to those who harbor frustration that is about to foam. Presley's CD goes over the brim.

Presley's raspy and raw voice bears the quality of someone who went to the recording studio after having smoked 20 Cuban cigars, and acquired a whispering, yet growling scratchy voice that gives so much more meaning to lyrics that can't be spoken softly. "You're an idiot, and I really hate your guts," lays it down straight, and it can truly speak to the anxieties of anyone who hears it. When listening to "Dirty Laundry," one can imagine Lisa Marie kicking back on the steps of an abandoned portch outside of town--trying to make sense of a media-driven world that feeds on dirty linens. Lisa Marie--as well as many others in the business, can give testimony to this.

The songs are not complimentary--and they don't do anybody any favors. It is hard to believe that Lisa Marie was born in the lap of luxury...her music says she "went to hell and came back a believer." She is an artist that sings without gloves and has been around.

No need to worry Lisa Marie, you are definitely not a female Elvis...you are Lisa Marie with something to say--and a last name. One admits listening to the music as a tribute to a famous last name--but actually ending up liking the music for what it truly is--true vocal vent, and one of those rare instances where an artist truly speaks their peace.

Lisa Marie's CD has truly divorced itself from her father's style. It is in a category of it's own. The music is mood-altering--making anyone unafraid to admit hostility, anger, and frustration. We've all got it.