Missy Higgins
On A Clear Night
2007, Eleven
pop, folk rock
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.”
myspace, last.fm
Dido’s Safe Trip Home, Gemma Hayes’s Night On My Side
