2007

2007 / 4 stars / june is for women / missy higgins / reviews — No Comments
23
Jun 09

On A Clear Night (2007) by Missy Higgins

missy higgins on a clear night

Missy Higgins
On A Clear Night
2007, Eleven
pop, folk rock
4

In comparison to her debut, Missy Higgins’s sophomore On A Clear Night is cleaner-sounding and more cohesive, but thankfully retains the lyrical intensity that sets her apart from other pop artists. Higgins makes fewer vocal flourishes and settles on basic, simple beats that are easily replicated on the guitar or the piano. This often leads to some very interesting guitar work, as in “100 Round The Bends” and “Angela,” but doesn’t sound much like the almost-naivete of her debut.

One could argue that Higgins’ voice is better suited for a gritty, sexier song but I confess I missed her little quirks throughout this album. However, it seems to be a physical impossibility for Higgins to completely follow the pop trend, so songs like “Peachy” and “Secret” are uniquely her own. Even her take on folk in “Going North” is quaint and memorable. Overall, this is definitely not the same album as her first, but that might be a good thing.

“Where I Stood,” “Going North,” “Warm Whispers.”
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Dido’s Safe Trip Home, Gemma Hayes’s Night On My Side

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2007 / 4 stars / grace potter / june is for women / reviews — No Comments
21
Jun 09

This Is Somewhere (2007) by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

grace potter and the nocturnals this is somewhere

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
This is Somewhere
2007, Hollywood Records
country, rock
4

On first listen, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals come off as yet another band in the wave of modern country bands that have a female lead vocalist and plenty of fake twang (as in, ‘faker-sounding-than-most’) and wannabe-tough attitude. But what really stands out about this band, and lead singer Grace Potter herself, are the quieter moments in This is Somewhere that hint at a pop flavor.

This is Somewhere is the band’s third album and second major-label record, which is obvious in the slickly-produced songs obviously geared to a pop-country audience. But there are some sexier rock elements in “Ah Mary” and “Big White Gate” that will rivet you to this album. It’s been a while since we’ve had strong, gritty female voices in rock and Potter fills that void with a voice that will never be renowned for its octaves but will be remembered for its honesty. And when that honesty comes out in full force in “Falling or Flying,” we listeners are left with a singer and her ballad, which is precisely where Grace Potter and the Nocturnals really shine.

“Big White Gate,” “Falling or Flying,” “You May See Me.”
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Amy Macdonald’s This is the Life, Brandi Carlile’s The Story

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2002 / 2007 / 3 stars / gemma hayes / june is for women / reviews / singles — No Comments
18
Jun 09

Night On My Side (2002) by Gemma Hayes

gemma hayes night on my side

Gemma Hayes
Night Is On My Side
2002, Source Records/Astralworks
pop
3½

Hailing from Ireland, Gemma Hayes is another distinctive female voice I’ve recently found. While this album is from 2002 and therefore a bit old, it still has an appeal for those of us who still remember and appreciate 90′s pop and rock. In fact, I found this album based on its single “Back of My Hand,” which is quite possibly the most 90s-sounding track on the record. Listening to the rest of the album revealed country, acoustic, and dreamscape tinges that were appealing but also disappointing.

At the risk of sounding like an American Idol judge, Hayes voice isn’t merely imperfect – it’s pitchy beyond belief. She needs vocal coaching, particularly when she tries to attempt Sheryl Crow’s subtle twang in “Night On My Side” or “Over and Over.” Furthermore, the lyrics are kinda boring. Granted, Hayes has released two more albums since so she’s probably written more songs that actually suit her voice, but from what I can hear this album did not deserve to be nominated for a Mercury Prize, or any prize. It’s well-produced and catchy, but Hayes follows in the footsteps of Aimee Mann in that her voice can be appealing at times but it ultimately detracts from her music.

“Ran For Miles,” “Back of My Hand,” “My God.”
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Aimee Mann’s Lost in Space, Provincial Parks’s Iron Ponies EP

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