Michelle Branch went country…or did she?
New vocal duo The Wreckers, comprised of former solo artist Michelle Branch and once backup singer Jessica Sharp, has broken into the country music scene with its debut release under Maverick Records, "Stand Still, Look Pretty," but the sound isn’t always so different from what one might find in Branch’s earlier work. The pair, who wrote or co-wrote all but one of the slow and mid-tempo songs that fill their album, deliver clean harmonies with just a touch of twang and plenty of acoustic guitar, but even with Sharp’s vocals and writing contributions, many of these tracks could have easily appeared on Branch’s "The Spirit Room" (2000) and "Hotel Paper" (2001)…not that that’s a problem.
“Leave the Pieces,” the first single and a song that peaked at the top of the country music charts, is a catchy way to kick off the album and is stereotypically country in subject matter, as the two girls sassily tell a guy to just go ahead and leave because they know he’s going to break their hearts and they can’t sit around waiting anymore. From there, the album continues with a string of tracks that seem light even in their lack of cheerfulness and have a touch of nostalgia, a touch of wistfulness, and a feeling that something needs to change. “Tennessee” speaks gently of regret and missed opportunities and “Lay Me Down” finds a girl reaching out to her boyfriend, telling him that she loves him even though she feels lonely and as though he doesn’t understand her. Pop-infused mid-album gem “Cigarettes,” penned by Harp and arguably the best track on the CD, delivers an instantly memorable chorus about optimism for the future and being okay with the present that will fill you with peacefulness and have you nodding your head in time to the lightly driving music.
Stand Still, Look Pretty, which has been certified gold since its May 2006 release, feels both fresh and familiar at the same time, and the melancholy songs have an airy feel to them that makes them more hopeful than depressing. Whether you’re having a great day or are feeling a bit down, driving along with the windows down and this CD playing on a cool fall day is sure to put you in a pleasant state of mind.
New vocal duo The Wreckers, comprised of former solo artist Michelle Branch and once backup singer Jessica Sharp, has broken into the country music scene with its debut release under Maverick Records, "Stand Still, Look Pretty," but the sound isn’t always so different from what one might find in Branch’s earlier work. The pair, who wrote or co-wrote all but one of the slow and mid-tempo songs that fill their album, deliver clean harmonies with just a touch of twang and plenty of acoustic guitar, but even with Sharp’s vocals and writing contributions, many of these tracks could have easily appeared on Branch’s "The Spirit Room" (2000) and "Hotel Paper" (2001)…not that that’s a problem.
“Leave the Pieces,” the first single and a song that peaked at the top of the country music charts, is a catchy way to kick off the album and is stereotypically country in subject matter, as the two girls sassily tell a guy to just go ahead and leave because they know he’s going to break their hearts and they can’t sit around waiting anymore. From there, the album continues with a string of tracks that seem light even in their lack of cheerfulness and have a touch of nostalgia, a touch of wistfulness, and a feeling that something needs to change. “Tennessee” speaks gently of regret and missed opportunities and “Lay Me Down” finds a girl reaching out to her boyfriend, telling him that she loves him even though she feels lonely and as though he doesn’t understand her. Pop-infused mid-album gem “Cigarettes,” penned by Harp and arguably the best track on the CD, delivers an instantly memorable chorus about optimism for the future and being okay with the present that will fill you with peacefulness and have you nodding your head in time to the lightly driving music.
Stand Still, Look Pretty, which has been certified gold since its May 2006 release, feels both fresh and familiar at the same time, and the melancholy songs have an airy feel to them that makes them more hopeful than depressing. Whether you’re having a great day or are feeling a bit down, driving along with the windows down and this CD playing on a cool fall day is sure to put you in a pleasant state of mind.
—Stephanie Crozier
3 comments:
I liked The Wrecker's first song, "The Good Kind," which debuted on "One Tree Hill" in 2004, but was skepticle about buying their whole album. It's hard to know if a CD is worth the investment or if it's just going to be an overall mediocre attempt. This review, though, has made me want to give The Wreckers a second chance.
As a long time Michelle Branch fan, I had a hard time believing that this girl could go country. However, after checking out The Wreckers myspace account and listening to a few of their songs, I'm pretty impressed.
It's a risky change for Michelle to make, this transition from a girl who knows how to rock to good, sweet country girl -- but it appears to be paying off.
By the way, Lauren Morgan wrote the above comment.
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