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Natalie Imbruglia
White Lilies Island
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"Satellite" and "Wrong Impression" express romantic love while desiring greater emotional intimacy. Women face tough decisions with confidence on "Goodbye" and "Come September," and look toward a brighter tomorrow. Head over heels in love, Imbruglia compares her man’s effect on her to a "Hurricane." Elsewhere, she tries to lure a partner out of his intentional isolation ("Everything Goes"). The obscure "Do You Love" mourns a loss of innocence, while "Sunlight" urges wounded people to seek healing, learn from their mistakes and seize the day ("Did you ever truly live?/So walk in time to life’s refrain/Relax, don’t do it to yourself again").
Songs about standing tall and starting fresh must compete with others that find people retreating into drugs and alcohol. "Beauty on the Fire" involves quelling pain with drunkenness ("Why do I drink the feelings dry? . . . To drown my soul in sensory pleasure"). On "Butterflies," the artist is partial to "swallow[ing] purple terror candy," "sipping cocktail sedatives" and disappearing into seclusion.
With two exceptions, the 27-year-old Australian has some good things to say. Sadly, public confessions reinforce the disc’s irresponsible approach to alcohol. Imbruglia told Blender magazine, "I’m a binge drinker, but I’m a great drunk. . . . I wish I was a depressive drunk, because then I’d have a reason to stop." Disappointing.
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