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Vienna Teng — Level Up
Album: Aims
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1668









Released: 2013
Length: 3:50
Plays (last 30 days): 0
So come out.
You have been waiting long enough.
You're done with all the talk talk talk
And nothing on the table.
It's time to come on out.
There will be no sign from above.
You'll only hear the knock knock knock
Of your own heart as signal.
Come out and LEVEL UP

Begin again.
Dynamite the dam on the flow.
Your body feels the tock tock tock
Of time as it hammers.
Lord we are all cinders
From a fire burning long ago,
But here it is the knock knock knock
Of your own heart that matters.

If you are afraid, come forth.
If you are alone, come forth now.
EVERYBODY HERE HAS LOVED AND LOST
So LEVEL UP AND LOVE AGAIN

Call it any name you need.
Call it your 2.0, your rebirth, whatever--
So long as you can feel it all,
So long as all your doors are flung wide.
Call it your day #1 in the rest of forever.

If you are afraid,
GIVE MORE
If you are alive
GIVE MORE NOW.
EVERYBODY HERE HAS SEAMS AND SCARS
So what. LEVEL UP.

Let your faith die
Bring your wonder
Yes, you are only one
No, it is not enough--
But if you lift your eyes,
I am your brother

And this is all we need
And this is where we start
This is the day we greet
This is the day, no other.
Comments (122)add comment
Just caught the opening show of her "Coming Back to Music After Ten Years of Climate Activism and Three and a Half-Years of New Motherhood" Tour, as she described it, the other night, July 13, at eTown Hall, in downtown Boulder, and it was truly a memorable event. It's an old church converted into a recording studio/ concert venue, and is one of the most intimate and mind-blowing places to see an artist perform. First, she took our breath away, then she made us sing! She was utterly captivating, disarmingly charming, and positively radiant... She played her usual multitude of intstruments with amazing energy and passion, with her long tresses of goddess-like hair swaying too and fro and cascading onto her beautiful outfit -- a lovely floral dress, accented with veils and sexy suede boots... She told us how much she misses living in Boulder -- her husband used to work here, and her Climate Activism held her here till 2019, when her daughter Arcadia came along and began to shape her incredibly interesting life. We could tell she was happy; she told us that while her family has roots in Taiwan, and she has a physical home in D.C., she calls Boulder a true home for her heart, and she raved about The Flatirons, The Front Range, the Weather labs (she was a computer nerd before becoming a world-wide musical success)... She is so talented, inspired, and creative! She dashed off some brilliant piano pieces, and then, though she was a bit rusty, she said, she introduced us to "her band-mates," an assortment of keyboards and a drum-machine. She laid down some killer vocal loops and arranged and used them to enchant and enthrall us in ways only she could have imagined, talking to us the whole while as if we were all dear old friends. She had a wild new toy she treated us to, too, an alien-looking thing presented to her by an illustrious friend that she nicknamed a 'Soma Pipe.' She got it to make some weird, cool otherworldly sounds that she somehow got down on trippy loops to weave into her mesmerizing compositions that glowed and flowed over us like the multi-layered waves of genius that vibrate inside her mind. She showed us her new fondness for acoustic guitar, and her husband was with her young daughter in one of the front rows. She frequently asked for requests to be shouted, and she made us feel like a big, happy family. She's the best! It was a magical night I shall never forget!
Just saw her tonight at the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley. It was also live streamed around the world. I suspect she was in the Bay Area visiting her family for the holidays, but she  mentioned that her tour manager is also an employee of the Freight. She took requests at the show tonight, so if you get a chance to see her live, which I strongly recommend, be prepared to shout out some song titles. 
This was adopted by her alma mater University of Michigan for their promotional spots in 2022 college football telecasts, making them the best ones of the season. Go Blue!
I just love the syncopation of this song.  Brilliant. 
Cajsa Siik vibes
 zaphod99 wrote:

Not my cup of Lapsong either, but what I love about Radio and RP in particular is that something interesting will be along in a minute. A lot of the playlists are a bit MOR/Americana for me, but within that I always find surprises.The King Crimson track earlier is a case in point, ordinarily KC are to prog/longhair for me, but I really liked it.perphaps I should ditch or at least review some of my prejudices. Whatever you think RP is put together with skill and love. Peace out.



Our prejudices is what keeps us from opening our minds to knowledge and talent that we might appreciate.
Call it any name you need.
Call it your 2.0, your rebirth, whatever--

Love this line! Love this song...

Love the structure and surprise in this song. So we’ll done
Check out the video.........superior to most you see
https://www.youtube.com/result...
 Steely_D wrote:

Wow. What the hell was that? I've always ignored Vienna Teng as another piano playing emotional gal. One Kate Bush is enough.

But that was pretty dang good!!! 


At least one person hears Kate Bush in every female artist on RP....it's sort of a phenomenon...super weird though...
 zaphod99 wrote:

Not my cup of Lapsong either, but what I love about Radio and RP in particular is that something interesting will be along in a minute. A lot of the playlists are a bit MOR/Americana for me, but within that I always find surprises.The King Crimson track earlier is a case in point, ordinarily KC are to prog/longhair for me, but I really liked it.perphaps I should ditch or at least review some of my prejudices. Whatever you think RP is put together with skill and love. Peace out.


I JUST heard the first King Crimson song I have liked so far. Right here on RP. Then Vienna Teng came on and I wanted to know more about her work. Funny to come across this comment Right now. Synchronicity! 
I give this song 7 out of 8! 
 mrtuba9 wrote:

Sweet!!! Have you seen the video with Tommy Guns Ly? I had never heard of or seen him! The rest of the dancers are pretty great too!
 

That's a great video - thanks for the link.
This always makes me so happy.
 rabaak wrote:
Saw her do this song in a small venue. She is fantastic live.  

Would have never known about her without RP.
 
This, indeed, is one of the many reasons to love RP.  I have learned of so many fine artists from this fantastic station!
7 -==> 8.
 mrtuba9 wrote:

Sweet!!! Have you seen the video with Tommy Guns Ly? I had never heard of or seen him! The rest of the dancers are pretty great too!

people you really should see the official video 


She's very reminiscent of a 1988 Olympics Montage. 
 aaronm wrote:
The song's about a 7 on the merits for me, but it's a 9 for hitting me at the right time in my life.
 
Sweet!!! Have you seen the video with Tommy Guns Ly? I had never heard of or seen him! The rest of the dancers are pretty great too!
The song's about a 7 on the merits for me, but it's a 9 for hitting me at the right time in my life.
Nice!
Saw her do this song in a small venue. She is fantastic live.  

Would have never known about her without RP.
 khardog145 wrote:
I LIKE IT!  TAKE THAT!  She has talent oozing from her pores.  
 
There's medication for that now.  
 Shmelo wrote:
Sounds like the unholy spawn of ABBA and Carley Rae Jespen.
 

I find that comparison really odd. Perhaps the heavy synth is what led to it. But this is more complex--especially with the rhythm being in 7 instead of 2 or 4 typical of those two artists.
I LIKE IT!  TAKE THAT!  She has talent oozing from her pores.  
As a native of the Motor City, I love the album cover...
 Shmelo wrote:
Sounds like the unholy spawn of ABBA and Carley Rae Jespen.

 

God help us all.


 


"God help us all."

Don't hold your breath, sucker.


 ortega1 wrote:
Worst Vienna album so far. I've bought all other CDs, but not this one. Pop music disco type.
 
I actually like that aspect of it - the lyrics are just fine
I wouldn't mind having those kitsch synths removed.
anyone willing to play a Rhodes piano on mainstream music scores one in my book. 
Surprised how divisive this song seems to be, at least in the comments.  I have loved Vienna since RP introduced me to her many many years ago.  While this album does differ from her previous work, it has grown on me to the point that it might be my favorite.  If you ever have a chance to see her live, take it, especially with how rarely she tours these days, instead working to make the world a better place :-)
Worst Vienna album so far. I've bought all other CDs, but not this one. Pop music disco type.
I'm not a fan of Vienna Tang - most of her stuff seems overwrought but this one is ok. And yea, maybe it's the thrill of victory- agony of defeat vibe.
I'm actually getting a strong 1988 Olympics vibe.
 KevinM wrote:

I uploaded [Hymn of Acxiom], currently in review, with a 100% approval rate

 
Didn't make it, I guess?
Her video for this actually adds a little bit more to my love of the song. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4n_8R5lKnw 
 thewiseking wrote:

"massage therapists" and '90s "crystal and metaphysical book shops" like Enya too
 

 
What about crystal methamphetamine bookshops?
 greiffenstein wrote:
I'm getting a strong Enya vibe here.  I'm not ashamed to say it, I like Enya.  

 
Funny!  And 20 years ago I would have agreed with you while, based on my dislike of that type of music - now that I've matured (or aged) a bit, I'm actually finding I enjoy this type of music on occasion, set the mood, get a massage, etc. 
Sounds like a Coke commercial. 
 thewiseking wrote:

"massage therapists" and '90s "crystal and metaphysical book shops" like Enya too
 

 
{#Cheesygrin} {#Roflol}
 greiffenstein wrote:
I'm getting a strong Enya vibe here.  I'm not ashamed to say it, I like Enya.  

 
"massage therapists" and '90s "crystal and metaphysical book shops" like Enya too
 
I'm getting a strong Enya vibe here.  I'm not ashamed to say it, I like Enya.  
If they had only resited the temptation to add that beepy synth background riff (?) trill (?) and decide whether this was an "anthem" or just pop. Perhaps just too much squeezed in during producing.
LOVE THIS.  Speaks to me.

If you are afraid, fill out that new character sheet.
If you are alone, roll that D20.
EVERYBODY HERE HAS LOST A CHARACTER THEY LOVED
So SPEND THOSE POINTS, LEVEL UP AND ROLE-PLAY AGAIN
 


 ya, or Kate Miller Heidke  Slayer wrote:
Hearing this song for the first time, it immediately made me wonder if Taylor Swift would be sewing Vienna Tang for infringement of her pop radio song Shake it off?

Perhaps that should be the other way round...Oh, wait someone else did...
 


I was first introduced to Vienna Teng through RP many years ago (I recall that Bill actual had her run his studio for an interview at one point) and have loved her ever sense. She has an incredible voice and it is even more powerful in a live event.

When I heard this song, it didn't resonate that it was Vienna but, apparently unlike many of my RP Brothers and Sisters, love the sound.

Please keep playing them Bill!
 
Sounds like the theme song to "Never ending Story" kids movie, couldn't wait for this one to end

Sounds like the unholy spawn of ABBA and Carley Rae Jespen.

 

God help us all.


Not my cup of Lapsong either, but what I love about Radio and RP in particular is that something interesting will be along in a minute. A lot of the playlists are a bit MOR/Americana for me, but within that I always find surprises.The King Crimson track earlier is a case in point, ordinarily KC are to prog/longhair for me, but I really liked it.perphaps I should ditch or at least review some of my prejudices. Whatever you think RP is put together with skill and love. Peace out.
Sweet!
 JasondotG wrote:
I used to feel nothing when I first started hearing her here on RP years ago. Now that I keep hearing her that nothingness has turned into anger. 

There's just nothing here. No heart no soul no dirt no grit no sweat no tears no nothing.

This is what I image pop music made by robots in the future will sound like. Actually if it turns out Miss Teng is a robot I will completely do a 180 on all my criticism because that would actually be awesome.  

 
Total agreement over here. My trajectory was a little different though. ;) I've been listening to RP for about 15 years, and I've pretty much hated her cloying songs since then. Until maybe a year ago, when I started hearing newer material by her that was...okay. I figured she had grown as an artist, so I was surprised this song is not that old. It reminds me of why I was so turned off her style originally. Turned off, as in she's one of the very few artists where I actually have to listen to something else until the RP stream is safe again.
 Highlowsel wrote:
Level Up, eh?  Perhaps the perfect song if'n yer a.....gamer?

I now return to saving that settlement that needs an assist.  {#Cowboy}

Highlow
American Net'Zen

 
Watch the video, the words are more visual and understandingly inspirational that way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4n_8R5lKnw

Level Up, eh?  Perhaps the perfect song if'n yer a.....gamer?

I now return to saving that settlement that needs an assist.  {#Cowboy}

Highlow
American Net'Zen
I love this song - not heard anything from her that I didn't like. And I would never have heard of her, were it not for Radio Paradise!
She's simply great. Have a listen to "The Hymn of Acxiom" - incredible composition.
I used to feel nothing when I first started hearing her here on RP years ago. Now that I keep hearing her that nothingness has turned into anger. 

There's just nothing here. No heart no soul no dirt no grit no sweat no tears no nothing.

This is what I image pop music made by robots in the future will sound like. Actually if it turns out Miss Teng is a robot I will completely do a 180 on all my criticism because that would actually be awesome.  
 agkagk wrote:

If you're touched by the song, you'll be blown away by the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4n_8R5lKnw
 

 
Wow, thanks for sharing that link. Just watched the video... powerful stuff.
Can't help it, I really like this song.  Would be great for closing credits on a film.
Hearing this song for the first time, it immediately made me wonder if Taylor Swift would be sewing Vienna Tang for infringement of her pop radio song Shake it off?

Perhaps that should be the other way round...Oh, wait someone else did...

Yeah.  Because we need far fewer talented, piano playing musicians who can write real songs in the world.  Bunch of useless bitches.   

{#Frustrated}
 

Steely_D wrote:
Wow. What the hell was that? I've always ignored Vienna Teng as another piano playing emotional gal. One Kate Bush is enough.

 


I always find my foot frantically tapping away with a hiccuppy/galloping rhythm to anything in 7/8, before I realize what the time signature is.
Seriously, her or her label is paying you to keep playing her right?
 ArrayMac wrote:
Touched. A. Nerve. Didn't know why, just how much.

 
If you're touched by the song, you'll be blown away by the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4n_8R5lKnw
 
Kick my starter Bartfast.
Touched. A. Nerve. Didn't know why, just how much.
I feel that she is a lot more talented than some people give her credit for.  Here is a video of her performing a blending of Ain't No Sunshine & Lose Yourself live from Mountain Stage.  The video is a little long @ 6:38, but it is worth the watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk5-G9XKbJE&list=WL&index=1
 
Howdy Neighbor!  I've always found Vienna Teng to be a talented artist.  Plus she's very easy on the eyes!

Steely_D wrote:
Wow. What the hell was that? I've always ignored Vienna Teng as another piano playing emotional gal. One Kate Bush is enough.

But that was pretty dang good!!! 

 


It's growing on me.  4 —> 6
Wow. What the hell was that? I've always ignored Vienna Teng as another piano playing emotional gal. One Kate Bush is enough.

But that was pretty dang good!!! 
 kingart wrote:
Music is a bit synthetic, but I gotta bump 7 > 8. That passion deserves promotion. 
 

 
I'm with you on this.
 Highlowsel wrote:
Wonder if Vienna is a gamer?  {#Propeller}

 
I think it would be a shocker if she wasn't a gamer.
Music is a bit synthetic, but I gotta bump 7 > 8. That passion deserves promotion. 
 
 MsfStl wrote:

The video for this is pretty good too, if you like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4n_8R5lKnw
{#Devil_pimp} 

 
Thanks for that, it was very enjoyable. I'm surprised it hasn't been viewed more often.
 MsfStl wrote:

The video for this is pretty good too, if you like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4n_8R5lKnw
{#Devil_pimp} 

 
Wow. Powerful video! Thanks for sharing.
I've never been much of a Vienna Teng fan. Now I'm totally sold. 

The video for this is pretty good too, if you like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4n_8R5lKnw


{#Devil_pimp} 
First time I'm hearing this track and I love it.
generally not a fan, but for some reason really enjoying this song right now
 
Wonder if Vienna is a gamer?  {#Propeller}
Great song off an excellent release. Quite a talent, VT!
It took me a while. But I like it now. She is great in concert.
I like some of her stuff, but definitely not this piece of noise.
...shines me up every time I hear this song!

good god, please no! 
 ortega1 wrote:
1 point ant nothing more. Last album is disaster.

 
yes. this song is so grating, i can't hit the PSD button quickly enough. interesting how popular it is.
I feel great now
Yeah, I liked that, too.  Nice.
wow
 a2sportsguy wrote:
The video for this song premiered today (Dec, 17, 2013). You can see it here: https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/12/17/vienna-teng-level-up-video-premiere/4048761/

The unusual story behind this is that Vienna funded the video entirely through Kickstarter -- and did it in a matter of hours.



 
The video is extraordinary!
Much more production on this one than on her previous work, but I find this highly enjoyable, inventive, and uplifting. The video (see below for link) definitely makes a statement, too.
It's fun.  Upbeat and bouncy.  Overproduced, maybe - but fun anyway. 
The video for this song premiered today (Dec, 17, 2013). You can see it here: https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/12/17/vienna-teng-level-up-video-premiere/4048761/

The unusual story behind this is that Vienna funded the video entirely through Kickstarter -- and did it in a matter of hours.


1 point ant nothing more. Last album is disaster.
She is exceptional
She was pretty great in concert last night. The configurations they needed in order to downscale the latest album's songs for a band of three people were interesting.
 scraig wrote:
Vienna Teng and Erasure

 
I bet she would look better in a pink jumpsuit than Andy Bell ever did
 {#Cheers}NotShakespeare wrote:

Not with a 7/4 time signature you're not.

I love Vienna Teng and even though I own this album, I become irrationally happy when I hear it here. 

 


...in the high school halls, in the shopping malls:  conform or be cast out...
 ortega1 wrote:
Am I hearing disco music? Que pasa?

 
Not with a 7/4 time signature you're not.

I love Vienna Teng and even though I own this album, I become irrationally happy when I hear it here. 
I don't know her well but this isn't what I thought she sounded like.  I don't like it.
 leafmold wrote:
Can't decide what I think about VT.  I like it--but it has an annoying overwrought quality which gets in the way.

 
Your "overwrought"  is for me carefully crafted and inspired. VT is quite fine.   See  her live if you can
 leafmold wrote:
Can't decide what I think about VT.  I like it--but it has an annoying overwrought quality which gets in the way.

 well that pretty much says it. but I just moved it from 5 to 7 


Can't decide what I think about VT.  I like it--but it has an annoying overwrought quality which gets in the way.
80's seem to come strongly! Welcome back!
Vienna Teng and Erasure
Love the violins, and the lyrics tell a good story.
 AndyJ wrote:
Over dosed with production add-ons...
She has a good voice and sense of music.
Now if she could get the same arrangement support that Sophia Zalmani has she'd shoot up in popularity and be better paid.
Still, I like her voice and the arrangement is so predictable I can tune it out...
   

 
Would be great in the sound track of a "feel good summer movie". It's okay though.
 q4Fry wrote:
I rather like the Hymn of Acxiom with its fantastically creepy lyrics.

 
According to her, it's supposed to be the point of view of some super database (called Acxiom) they used in grad school.
refreshing, nice...
Over dosed with production add-ons...
She has a good voice and sense of music.
Now if she could get the same arrangement support that Sophia Zalmani has she'd shoot up in popularity and be better paid.
Still, I like her voice and the arrangement is so predictable I can tune it out...
   
Album cover is a stylized land-use map of southeastern Michigan. Hey, I can see my house from here!
She's playing in Atlanta this weekend. This live show is now calling my name...
Panoramic vista--shades of early Jane Siberry.
 q4Fry wrote:
I rather like the Hymn of Acxiom with its fantastically creepy lyrics.

 
I uploaded it, currently in review, with a 100% approval rate
Working on a lecture and this happily caught my ear.  Cool new stuff from her.
I rather like the Hymn of Acxiom with its fantastically creepy lyrics.
 Steve wrote:

No.

 
What I can say - I won't buy this album, like I did with previous ones. Too much pop music for me.
 ortega1 wrote:
Am I hearing disco music? Que pasa?

 
No.
Am I hearing disco music? Que pasa?
A joyful, hopeful song. Rather bracing.