Vanessa Carlton may seem unsuspecting in a world where your ability to dance and the lightness of your hair defines you as a musician. Seated firmly behind her piano in her debut video "A Thousand Miles," Vanessa didn't impress me much (I viewed her as teen music marketing gone awry). I bought the album on impulse, not expecting to like it much. I have now completely worn out my first copy.

I am just so proud of this talented young woman for begging to be different from everyone else. She does what the pop industry is terrified of.. she's herself. No elaborate vocals or gyrating to an infectious beat. Beautiful, smooth, sultry and expressive melodies laced with a unique and elegant-sounding voice.

It's a very impressing combination.

The album is terrific from stop to finish. Here are the songs:

Ordinary Day: It has an ethereal and interesting message of spontaneity and chasing down dreams. It's upbeat and somewhat classical sounding. *****

Unsung: Written in the style of good old days rock, Vanessa powerfully belts out "well you decide and I abide and my song goes unsung." She expresses her feelings of inferiority in the relationship in this track. The vocals and strong backbeat make it an interesting contrast with the rest of the album. ****

A Thousand Miles: The keys employed and the melody combination are signs of sheer brilliance. The lyrics aren't spectacular, but the piano more than compensates. *****

Pretty Baby: It has a catchy bridge, but is simply not my thing. **

Rinse: My second favorite of the album. "She must rinse him away" because her feeling for the boy described in the song are unhealthy for the girl. It's a typical scenario but Vanessa's lyrics make it fresh again (how she'd be soothed/how she'd be saved if he could see/ she needs to be held in his arms to be free) *****

Sway is the drag of the album. I always skip it. *

Paradise is sheer brilliance. The girl described in the song is fighting an internal conflict with herself even though she's in "paradise." It could also be seen as an end-of-life thing("One last chance to feel all right"), but I don't think that's what Vanessa was going for. The lyrics are vague and could be perceived differently by different people, the smoothness of the melody and emotion of Vanessa's voice make it impossible to deny this song. I like the digitalization used in this song, though some people seem to think it drags down the album. *****

Prince: Not great, not terrible. ***

Paint It Black: This is one of the best cover songs I've heard in years. Her voice is bursting with emotion and power as she pounds through the song with passion and varying tempos. *****

Wanted: Unlike any other song I've heard, Vanessa continues her mysterious and personal lyrics (I am more than you will see/more than wanted). This is an all-out girl power anthem -quieter than Alanis Morissette. *****

Twilight: is absolutely beautiful and poignant. With its evasively smooth and substantial lyrics, Vanessa bravely sings that she's "seen twilight" since meeting the supposed boyfriend. I imagine it's technically a ballad, but this song is so much more than an "Oh baby baby" boy-crazy song or syrupy boy band puddle of badly rhyming word combinations. (I recently heard the lyric "you are all I need to love because you're not like the others/not a dud." I swear, it's true!) Vanessa brings honor back into singing ballads. *****

Vanessa redefines what music's going to be in coming years. She is commonly compared to Michelle Branch but I have absolutely no reason why. Her songs are so entirely different from Michelle Branch's it's ridiculous. Michelle is a rocker and Vanessa seems more like a lite jazz or pop/rock singer. She is not Alicia Keys- Vanessa's songs have substance and don't rely on whining through the aforementioned love/dud rhyming schemes.

There is no other singer like Vanessa Carlton out there right now and that's why she's one of my picks for Best New Artist of 2002.

Vanessa Carlton's new album, Be Not Nobody, is nothing short of incredible. From the opening chords of "Ordinary Day" to the last trailing notes of "Twilight", Be Not Nobody is an album you won't be able to turn off.

Vanessa's amazing voice, stunning lyrics, and awesome piano playing make her seem much older than her 21 years. This album promises to make Vanessa a household name, but more than that, it plainly shows that she is more than just a young female singer-songwriter. She is a talented musician and that is evidenced by every note of every song on Be Not Nobody.

This album has ten original songs written by Vanessa and one cover. The ninth track on the album is an awesome cover of the Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black". "Pretty Baby" is a total fan favorite and it's easy to see why. The melody and lyrics are so incredible! Other songs like "Unsung", "Sway", and "Paradise" promise to become favorites as well. "A Thousand Miles" is already a hit, having just recently reached the top ten on the Billboard Countdown. The next single, "Ordinary Day", is sure to do the same. Each of these songs speaks to the listener in a different way. Part of the beauty of this album is the way everyone can relate to it. My personal favorites are "Rinse" and "Twilight", but honestly, I would not be able to name a song that I didn't like. In each of the songs, the combination of lyrics and music is so awesome that it's impossible not to fall in love with this album.

Be Not Nobody is a breath of fresh air in a world that is bogged down by teeny-bopper, pre-packaged pop. The music is just so much more real. You should definitely buy this album, you will not be disappointed!

I always base my judgement of how good a CD is by its replay value. Therefore, Vanessa Carlton's CD gets five stars cause of it's high replay value. It's awesome. I can honestly see myself still listening to this months from now. I'll go through a brief rating of the songs. My personal faves are marked by asteriks.

1-Ordinary Day: Great opener to the ablum, I could even relate to it. B+

2-*Unsung*: This song is quite a rocker. Fast and emotional. A+.

3-*A Thousand Miles*: The first smash single. Of course, A.

4-Pretty Baby: A sweet, slow pop song. It kinda gets overshadowed by the first 3 great songs but it has a special value and beat. B-.

5-*Rinse*: Vanessa's voice is good here. I love the lyrics. A

6-*Sway*: Vanessa voice sways perfect. A.

7-*Paradise*: Dark with a sorrowful melody almost. Beautiful. A+.

8-Prince: Nice lyrics and instrumentals. B-

9-*Paint it Black*: I've never heard the original by Jagger, but Vanessa's is excellent. A+

10-*Wanted*: Her piano playing is really good here to me at least. A

11-*Twilight*: Soft and beautiful. A+.

This sparkling, promising debut from Vanessa Carlton is a great listen from start to finish. All of the songs, with the except of the rocking cover of "Paint It Black," were written by Vanessa herself, who lends her vocals and piano to every track. She is accompanied by a band of talented musicians, and the orchestra arrangements are simply beautiful. Four stars to this stellar album.

The first track "Ordinary Day" begins with a girl and her piano. Very simple, very basic - and then as the song progresses, as the story develops, more instruments come in and help the tune build to a full sound. "Day" is one of many songs on the album that will make you look up at the night sky with renewed appreciation.

"Unsung" is one part rock, one part jazz. This track, with piano akin to Tori Amos or Fiona Apple, is at the opposite end of the spectrum from "Day." Already we hear that Vanessa has a range of song styles.

"A Thousand Miles," the first single, has become a hit in its own right. From the catchy chorus ("If I could fall / Into the sky / Do you think time / Would pass me by?") to the emotional refrain, the song will get you hooked. It flows well into the next song, "Pretty Baby," which is the most mainstream pop song on the album. "Pretty baby / Don't you leave me / I have been saving smiles for you." It is a nice romantic ballad without being too sugary sweet.

"Rinse" may very well be my favorite song on this album. It's louder, it's rougher. The story is not a happy one, reminding us that "...everything happens for reasons that she will never understand." It could be about an unhappy relationship, confining if not abusive. It's a dark melody.

Another steadily moving piece is "Sway," a breath of fresh air, a happy time. Again, we go right into the flip side with "Paradise," about losing hope and giving in. In a word: sad.

"Prince" picks things up again. The lyrics describe running, and the quick, upbeat music lends to that motion. "Willing and able to run..." Undoubtedly another standout track. The fury continues with the cover of "Paint It Black." Rolling Stones fans will like this new take on an old classic.

Longing is expressed throughout "Wanted" -- "I am more than you will see / I am more than you will need / I am more than you will see / More than wanted." The rolling piano is beautiful; you will want to set this song on repeat for that alone.

The album ends with "Twilight," which begins with a hollow, empty feeling and turns into strength and belief. This emotional album ends with an optimistic note: "And I will never see the sky the same way / And I will learn to say good-bye to yesterday / And I will never cease to fly is held down / And I will always reach too high 'cause I've seen / 'Cause I've seen / Twilight."

"Be Not Nobody," the debut effort of promising artist Vanessa Carlton, is filled with heartfelt lyrics and enchanting melodies. Vanessa's unique voice and style reflect that of some of the most accomplished female performers, and it is utterly amazing that a 21-year old wrote all of these wonderful songs, except for the rockin' cover of the Stone's "Paint It Black."

1. Ordinary Day - This is, perhaps, the best song on the album. Vanessa shows off awesome vocals and plays the piano very well here. ~ A
2. Unsung - At first listen, I did not particularly care for this song, but as time went on it grew on me. ~ B
3. A Thousand Miles - First cut off the album. This ties with Ordinary Day for best song. ~ A
4. Pretty Baby - Probably the poppiest tune. It is very sweet however, and Vanessa's talent shines through. ~ B+
5. Rinse - Vanessa's vocals are emotional here and I noticed the piano very often in this song. Very, very good. ~ A -
6. Sway - This song is good, but it doesn't distiniguish itself from others, especially "Paradise." ~ B
7. Paradise - This, again, is good, but it sounds like "Sway." ~ B
8. Prince - This reminds me of "Ordinary Day," but isn't as refreshing. ~ B-
9. Paint it Black - This is awesome. I do not see how someone could not like this song. It rocks! ~ A-
10. Wanted - Reminiscent of "Rinse," but, it has a life of it's own. Vanessa showcases great vocals again. ~ A
11. Twilight - Mellow way to end the record. It is light and refreshing (as is most of the CD.) ~ A

Overall, Vanessa Carlton sounds self-assured and I believe she will be around for long time! For a first album, this is superb! Overall: A