Entertainment For Lively Minds
Vienna Teng
Posted by Vuliev on 4 August 2010 - 9:21am.
What's it called?:
Inland Territory
What It Sounds Like:
Ms Teng has been a staple in my music collection for quite a few years, a wonderful exercise in piano-focused jazz/easy listening. On first listen, Inland Territory was markedly different from Warm Strangers, her previous album, and the gap becomes wider the further back in her discography one goes. The Vienna of old can still be heard in songs like "No Gringo", but there are enough twists in the rest of the album to keep it exciting, from glass bottles on "Radio" to the wind instruments in the back of "In Another Life".
Of all the tracks, "Augustine" stands out the most, a strong piano and bell-filled song that's begging to be sung at the top of your voice.
What Does It All "Mean"?:
Inland Territory's shift in direction is very noticeable. Some songs have a sense of urgency about them, which wasn't really present in her previous work; she's explored new riffs on her musical style, and she does it well.
Goes well with...:
driving, summer afternoons, watching clouds go by, long walks in the evenings. This is definitely something to put on the portable-music-player-of-choice or speakers and be experienced outside.
Might Suit People Who Like...:
Janis Joplin, Vanessa Carlton, Jamie Cullen, and most piano-based jazz/pop.








