Nine Objects of Desire

Nine Objects of Desire
Studio album by Suzanne Vega
Released	September 10, 1996 (1996-09-10)
Studio	Magic Shop, New York City
Genre	Folk[1] alternative rock[1]
Length	38:52
Label	A&M
Producer	Mitchell 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
"Caramel" Released: April 1996 "No Cheap Thrill" Released: November 12, 1996 "World Before Columbus" Released: April 1997

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Billboard	(favorable)[2]
Entertainment Weekly	A[3]
Music Week	[4]
Pitchfork	7.4/10[5]
Rolling Stone	[6]

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). The recording sessions took place at The Magic Shop in New York City.[7]

Much like its predecessor, Nine Objects of Desire integrates experimental instrumentation and arrangements into Vega's signature sound. 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. 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.[8][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.[9]

"Birth-day (Love Made Real)" refers to the birth of Vega's daughter Ruby.[9] "Caramel" was heavily influenced by bossa nova, particularly the music of Astrud Gilberto.[8] 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.[8]

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.	Title	Length
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)[10]	113
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[11]	25
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[12]	42
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[13]	13
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[14]	93
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[15]	20
French Albums (SNEP)[16]	25
German Albums (Media Control Charts)[17]	43
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[18]	24
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[19]	39
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[20]	23
UK Albums (OCC)[21]	43
US Billboard 200[22]	92
Scottish Albums (OCC)[23]	60

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". Entertainment Weekly. 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.
6. "Suzanne Vega: Nine Objects of Desire : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. 12 November 2007. Archived from the original on November 12, 2007. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
7. Verna, Paul (10 August 1996). "Vega Unveils 'Nine Objects Of Desire'". Billboard. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
8. Vega, Suzanne (30 November 2022). "Suzanne Vega's Personal Best". The Line of Beat Fit (Interview). Interviewed by Alan Pedder. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
9. Vega, Suzanne. "Suzanne Vega 1996". YouTube (Interview). Interviewed by Rosie O'Donnell. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
10. "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received September 13, 2016". Imgur.com. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
11. "Austriancharts.at – Suzanne Vega – Nine Objects of Desire" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
12. "Ultratop.be – Suzanne Vega – Nine Objects of Desire" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
13. "Ultratop.be – Suzanne Vega – Nine Objects of Desire" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
14. "Dutchcharts.nl – Suzanne Vega – Nine Objects of Desire" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
15. "Suzanne Vega: Nine Objects of Desire" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
16. "Lescharts.com – Suzanne Vega – Nine Objects of Desire". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
17. "Offizielle Deutsche Charts > Suzanne Vega – Nine Objects of Desire (album)" (in German). Retrieved November 5, 2016.
18. "Norwegiancharts.com – Suzanne Vega – Nine Objects of Desire". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
19. "Swedishcharts.com – Suzanne Vega – Nine Objects of Desire". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
20. "Swisscharts.com – Suzanne Vega – Nine Objects of Desire". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
21. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
22. "Suzanne Vega Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
23. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 11, 2024.