Having been a longtime casual Suzanne Vega listener who never liked her enough to actually purchase an album (though "Solitude Standing" and "99.9F" have seared themselves in my brain through listening to them on others' stereos), this album caught me completely off-guard. It is so smart, so wise, so sensual--God, is it sensual--that you may find yourself constantly wanting to replay certain tracks; did she really turn that phrase so cleverly? ("Caramel" "No Cheap Thrill" and "My Favorite Plum" rank high in that respect.) What are those mysterious instruments she has backing her up? ("Lolita" and "The World Before Columbus" spring to mind.) How is she using her voice--never a powerful or especially dramatic one till now--in such enigmatic ways, with so many sly nuances? ("Stockings" "Headshots") Each song is a gem when listened to on its own, but the cumulative effect of the entire album is to feel as if one is sinking deeper and deeper into a mystery--Vega is Everywoman and none you've ever known before, and every door she opens leads to another, smaller door in the labyrinth. This is unquestionably one of the best albums by a female singer-songwriter in the 1990's, ranking up there with the best of Sheryl Crow, Sam Phillips, Liz Phair, Fiona Apple, Alanis Morrissette, Madonna, et all. Vega, cooler than any of them, bewitches so dextrously because she does not seek our approval; she is already queen of her own dominion, and we have the rare privilege of being allowed a fleeting, enigmatic glimpse into it before she quietly and firmly locks the gate and pockets the key, smiling inscrutably to herself. Go, be seduced.

This was Suzanne Vega's second album produced by Mitchell Froom. There is a great variation in moods and styles and Froom obviously has a great skill of giving Vega's songs inventive arrangements without ruining them with over-production.

This album is a natural follow-up the very experimental album "99.9 F" which had a lot of odd sounds and rhythms. You find quite a lot of the same things here, but the overall impression is that of a softer and more refined album.

What make Suzanne Vega's albums so good is the songs and her soft voice; what makes her albums great is the perfectionism in which the songs are arranged and produced. Both elements are present on this album, which may very well turn out to be her most satisfying and enduring.

A handful of these songs would have fitted nicely into "99.9 F"; "Birthday", "Stockings", "Casual Match", "No Cheap Thrill" and "Lolita" . Among them my favourites are "Stockings", with great sensual lyrics, "No Cheap Thrill" and the almost heavy "Birthday".

On other tracks a more refined touch is apparent. "Caramel" is a latin-inspired great tune with a tasteful hornarrangement. "My favourite Plum" is another memorable song with a beautiful string arrangement. "World Before Columbus" are "Honeymoon Suite" two acoustic songs with Vega playing the guitar. I particularly like the thought-provoking lyrics of "Honeymoon Suite".

"Headshots" is another favourite.

Least appealing are the jazzy track "Tombstone" and the riff-based "Casual Match" and "Lolita"

Suzanne Vega pulls back a bit from the 'left of center' (reference intended) disk of '99.9 F Degrees' w/this album. Though I loved her first two albums, this one is by far my favorite. It blends part of the folk aspect of 'Suzanne Vega' and 'Solitude Standing' w/some of the edge of '99.9 F'. It is the perfect mix. (i purposely do not mention 'Days of Open Hand' b/c I find it is so entirely weak.)

There truly is no bad song on this album and producer/then-husband, Mitchell Froom, brings out the best in her performances. "Stockings", "No Cheap Thrill", "Headshots", "Birth-day" and "Honeymood Suite" really make the album - though I mentioned, there really is no bad song.

I was hoping she would continue in this vein after her marriage broke up. Her subsequent disk is good - but really reverts back to her first two albums.

Obviously w/a five start rating, I would suggest you pick this disk up.

I love this CD! It's great when your relaxing at home with a cup of coffee. I'm only nineteen and I don't usually listen to this type of music. It's very easy listening. Caramel is my favorite and probably the only one I've really listened too, but I can let the CD just play while I'm at home and every song is nice.

Vega continued to re-invent herself throughout the 90s. This was her second "industrial-folk" album and it would be followed by Songs In Red And Grey in 2001 (which sounded less 'produced' than Nine Objects).

Nine Objects Of Desire has some of her most memorable songs and the album never sinks too deep into mediocrity. The stand-out tracks are the jazzy "Caramel", the groovy "No Cheap Thrill", the silvery "World Before Columbus" and the closing number "My Favourite Plum". Personally I prefer the follow-up to this album. If you end up liking Nine Objects you should definitely try Songs In Red And Gray.