Nine Objects of Desire

Nine Objects of Desire is the fifth studio album by American musician Suzanne Vega, released on September 10, 1996 through A&M Records. As with her previous album 99.9F° (1992), it was produced by her then-husband Mitchell Froom (who also co-wrote three tracks). Recording took place at The Magic Shop in New York.

Nine Objects of Desire
Studio album by
Suzanne Vega
ReleasedSeptember 10, 1996 (1996-09-10)
StudioThe Magic Shop (New York)
Genre
Length38:52
LabelA&M
ProducerMitchell Froom
Suzanne Vega chronology
99.9F°
(1992)		 Nine Objects of Desire
(1996)		 Tried & True: The Best of Suzanne Vega
(1998)
Singles from Nine Objects of Desire
  1. "Caramel"
    Released: April 1996
  2. "No Cheap Thrill"
    Released: November 12, 1996
  3. "World Before Columbus"
    Released: April 1997
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Billboard(favorable)[2]
Entertainment WeeklyA[3]
Music Week[4]
Pitchfork7.4/10[5]
Rolling Stone[6]

Much like its predecessor, Nine Objects of Desire integrates experimental instrumentation and arrangements into Vega's signature sound. Additionally, elements of jazz are present on tracks such as "Caramel" and "Tombstone". High-profile contributors to the album include Tchad Blake on guitar, Jerry Marotta on drums, and members of Elvis Costello's backing band the Attractions.

Nine Objects of Desire peaked at number 92 in the US, continuing a downward trend in Vega's album sales throughout the 1990s. However, it received positive reviews from critics, many of whom praised the songwriting and production. Additionally, it spawned a UK top 40 hit in "No Cheap Thrill".

Music and lyrics

Nine Objects of Desire features experimental production and arrangements, though to a lesser extent than its predecessor. Driven by what Vega described as "sensual" rhythms, the album incorporates elements of bossa nova and alternative rock.[7][1] Lyrically, the album takes a more personal turn in comparison to Vega's other albums, forgoing character pieces and instead taking heavy inspiration from her personal life.[8]

"Birth-day (Love Made Real)" refers to the birth of Vega's daughter Ruby.[8] "Caramel" was heavily influenced by bossa nova, particularly the music of Astrud Gilberto.[7] The lyrics were inspired by a passing crush on a friend, and was arranged to have an "Antônio Carlos Jobim feel". Vega has stated it is one of the songs she is most proud of.[7]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Suzanne Vega except "Headshots", "Casual Match", and "Lolita", the music of which are written with Mitchell Froom

Nine Objects of Desire
No.TitleLength
1."Birth-day (Love Made Real)"3:36
2."Headshots"3:07
3."Caramel"2:53
4."Stockings"3:31
5."Casual Match"3:10
6."Thin Man"3:38
7."No Cheap Thrill"3:09
8."World Before Columbus"3:26
9."Lolita"3:34
10."Honeymoon Suite"2:56
11."Tombstone"3:04
12."My Favorite Plum"2:48
Total length:38:52

Personnel
  • Suzanne Vega – vocals (throughout), riff guitar (1, 7), acoustic guitar (4, 6-8, 10), electric guitar (4)
  • Mitchell Froom – keyboards (throughout), Moog bass (6), horn arrangements (6), string arrangements (12)
  • Tchad Blake – guitar (3, 7, 10, 11), whistle sample (2), effects (5), mixing (throughout)
  • Steve Donnelly – guitar (1-3, 6-9, 11, 12)
  • Dave Douglas – trumpet (7, 9), muted trumpets (3, 6)
  • Don Byron – clarinet (3, 7), bass clarinet (7)
  • Jane Scarpantoni – cello (7, 12)
  • Mark Feldman, Jane Scarpantoni, Matthew Pierce, Ted Falcon – string section (4)
  • Cecilia Sparacio – flutes (3, 5, 7, 9)
  • Sebastian Steinberg – bass (7), acoustic bass (4, 10-12)
  • Bruce Thomas – bass (1-3, 5, 7-9)
  • Yuval Gabay – drums (10)
  • Jerry Marotta – drums (1, 3-7, 9-12), percussion (1, 3-5, 7, 9, 12)
  • Pete Thomas – drums (1-3, 7-9, 12), drum loop (5), percussion (1, 3, 6-9, 12)

Charts
Chart (1996) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[9] 113
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[10] 25
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[11] 42
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[12] 13
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[13] 93
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[14] 20
French Albums (SNEP)[15] 25
German Albums (Media Control Charts)[16] 43
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[17] 24
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[18] 39
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[19] 23
UK Albums (OCC)[20] 43
US Billboard 200[21] 92

References
  1. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Nine Objects of Desire". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  2. Verna, Paul (28 September 1996). "Reviews & Previews: Albums" (PDF). Billboard. p. 85. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  3. "Nine Objects of Desire - EW.com". Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  4. "Reviews: Albums" (PDF). Music Week. 15 February 1997. p. 23. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  5. "Nine Objects of Desire - Pitchfork". 3 February 2009. Archived from the original on 3 February 2009. Retrieved 3 June 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. "Suzanne Vega: Nine Objects Of Desire : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone". 12 November 2007. Archived from the original on November 12, 2007. Retrieved 3 June 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. Vega, Suzanne (30 November 2022). "Suzanne Vega's Personal Best". The Line of Beat Fit (Interview). Interviewed by Alan Pedder. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  8. Vega, Suzanne. "Suzanne Vega 1996". YouTube (Interview). Interviewed by Rosie O'Donnell. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  9. "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received September 13, 2016". Imgur.com. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  10. "Austriancharts.at – Suzanne Vega – Nine Objects of Desire" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  11. "Ultratop.be – Suzanne Vega – Nine Objects of Desire" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  12. "Ultratop.be – Suzanne Vega – Nine Objects of Desire" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  13. "Dutchcharts.nl – Suzanne Vega – Nine Objects of Desire" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  14. "Suzanne Vega: Nine Objects of Desire" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  15. "Lescharts.com – Suzanne Vega – Nine Objects of Desire". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  16. "Offizielle Deutsche Charts > Suzanne Vega – Nine Objects of Desire (album)" (in German). Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  17. "Norwegiancharts.com – Suzanne Vega – Nine Objects of Desire". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  18. "Swedishcharts.com – Suzanne Vega – Nine Objects of Desire". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  19. "Swisscharts.com – Suzanne Vega – Nine Objects of Desire". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  20. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  21. "Suzanne Vega Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
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