CD Reviews
November 24, 2005
OVER THE RHINE
For fans of: Hem, The Innocence Mission, Aimee Mann
Although Over the Rhine often draws comparisons to such artists as Sarah McLachlan and Norah Jones, they have produced a CD which is truly unique in regards to both their contemporaries and their own previous work. With Drunkard’s Prayer, OTR has experimented with more jazz and classical piano work than in their previous albums, while maintaining the folk and country elements that are so essential to their sound. Karin Bergquist’s lyrical delivery overshadows any shortcoming I could find with the content. Her distinct voice is my favourite instrument in the band. That being said, the lyrics are amazing considering the stories many of them communicate. Most of the songs were written when Karin Bergquist and Linford Detweiler, the married couple at the heart of the band, were considering divorce, a choice they only avoided because of their shared faith and marriage counseling. The tracks “Little Did I Know,” which has the couple mulling over life without each other, and “Born,” which is about their new outlook on life and love, are especially powerful. This album isn’t for fans of pep rally songs or #1 dance hits, but it deserves at least a listen from fans of more subdued music.
To download select tracks, or just check out the sound of OTR before you buy their CD, go to www.overtherhine.com.
STRAYLIGHT RUN
Against the will of the majority, Straylight Run has released Prepare To Be Wrong, a follow-up EP to their self-titled debut. This might not have been the worst idea. Prepare To Be Wrong is a few steps up from the debut (I would certainly hope that it would be). The saving grace for this album is that the band finally decided to release the song “A Slow Descent.” This is by far the best song that the band has ever written, and by the looks of it, the best song they ever will write. The disc starts off with a song that is incredibly hard to listen to, called “I Don’t Want This Anymore.” Although singer/pianist Michelle Nolan has a beautiful voice, her style in this song should have never been chosen to set the tone for the album. Two more mediocre songs follow this one, and then comes the climax of this album: “A Slow Descent.” This is a song about the fallout that two Straylight Run members had with their previous band, Taking Back Sunday. According to John Nolan, this song was left off the band’s full length debut because they were ready to put that drama behind them. I guess they are over it now, or maybe they decided that it would be a good business move to release their best song. I don’t really know. The final two songs on the album sound like the band members are experimenting a little too hard for a band in their genre; these last songs are worse than the first three, making this release better than the band’s first one, but still pretty hard to listen to. Straylight Run has improved with this release, and who knows, they could grow on you.
IMOGEAN HEAP
For fans of: Dido, The Cranberries, Frou Frou
I know what you’re thinking: ‘another female pop singer releases another album and it sucks.’ Not the case with Imogen Heap. Although she does sing mostly about the whole love and loss thing she does it with a nice British-pop flair. If anyone is a fan of British-pop music then you know what I’m talking about. Imogen Heap, being from Britain, does the usual and leans towards the more techno/trance grooves, with touches of piano. I’ve always enjoyed the simplicity of this type of music because it allows the singer’s vocals to shine through, rather than be overshadowed.
Heap’s most recent outing, Speak for Yourself, features some good tunes, perfect for that late night study session or that long drive home. Songs such as “Headlock,” “Closing In,” and “Clear the Area” are great songs for such moments. Heap doesn’t display great range with her vocals in this album, but she doesn’t need to. Her music is just the type that doesn’t require her to have a range of five octaves; her voice is both simple and dreamy. One minor hiccup for this album is the song “Hide & Seek;” which features Ms. Heap’s vocals being run through a synthesizer. The song itself is good, but the synth vocals get repetitive after the first few verses, and you find yourself wanting to reach for the skip button.
As a whole, this album is worth the pick-up. If you’re into British-pop music or just have the desire to hear a woman with an amazing voice, then pick up Imogen Heap; you won’t be disappointed. She’s a great change from the usual Ashlee Simpsons, Britney Spears, or any other run-of-the-mill female vocalist. Do yourself a favor and get this album.
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