music dig shorts: Brooke Fraser’s Albertine

Welcome to my new series of music digs, “music dig shorts”, featuring brief reviews and insights on albums I’ve been recently enjoying. Please, post comments freely and often! Most of all, enjoy the music. Explore, and don’t be afraid to tap into something new. You’ll only leave the experience with the aid of added knowledge. (Whether it’s knowledge of what to listen to or what not to listen to is another issue!)

Bon appetit!

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Albertine

~Brooke Fraser

Brooke has a compelling vocal sound that serves to amplify her clear songwriting voice. She runs the gamut throughout Albertine with songs about hope in despair (like “Shadowfeet”) conviction, questions about personal faith, and a challenge to action based on faith (as in the title track, “Albertine”). Ear-catching rhythmic highlights (in “Epilogue”, “Seeds”, “Shadowfeet”, etc.) and satisfying melodies (in “Deciphering Me”) are key elements that work well for the album, making it more than just a stream of good songs sung by a pretty voice.

Despite the great sound and writing, the general feel—as in the musical and vocal modern pop/rock, folk rock style—doesn’t have enough diversity for my liking. (A notable exception is “Hymn”, the final track, characterized by strophic simplicity beneath a beautiful, melodic theme and graceful, string-accompanied piano work.) Although it never seems to really depart from its prominent feel, the album is a strong showing of good, honest songs and sounds.

Favorite Tracks: Shadowfeet; Deciphering Me; Albertine; Seeds; The Thief; Hymn

My Rating: 6.5/10

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To listen to some of Brooke’s songs, check out her Last.fm page!

~ by Socrates on December 5, 2008.