Release Date: September 16th, 2022
I gotta be honest, on my first listen, i thought this album was very bad, super boring, soulless. Obviously it's not fair to expect this album to address why she was in the headlines this summer, but as an old school fan of Michelle's, she doesn't sound like her old self and her new stuff doesn't have much in common with her contemporaries either. So listening to her Patrick Carney produced songs have always felt like she was in another person's world. And another thing, why does she sing certain songs with that country twang? you can't do that once you already establish that you don't sing like that.
Review: Anyways, I hold Michelle Branch pretty close to my heart, not enough to go see her in concert, but I watched a few of her live performances of her old songs. She still sounds good even thought the tempo is slower. And from the interviews I've read, this album was a pandemic album, but got delayed due to her pregnancy. Anyways, it may not be what I want, or what anyone wants, but for what it is, it's shit. I'm sorry, but I have never liked The Black Keys. The Black Keys somehow how make fart noises with their instruments.
I do think the opening track is pretty enjoyable and I really like the soaring vibes of "you got me where you want me." The lead single "I"m a man" is cringe, but if i didn't know English, its a pretty catchy song. I do like the line "I'm so tired of being told by everybody/That I can't make decisions 'bout my own damn body." If you're not a trash human, it's obviously. Still, the song is fairly surface level.
The melody of "Not My Lover" is catchy too, but what's up with these lyrics? I mean, they make sense, but I hate it when songwriters have their rhymes so close together. Feels like they want credit for using a rhyming dictionary. Although this one is basic, "When That Somebody is You" feels the most natural. It has a country vibe to it, like the "Everything Comes and Goes" EP, and would have fit nicely on that album.
"You" could be good. kind of a coin flip depending how tired you are. "Zut Alors" is a standout. There's some french in it and it's the most different. almost has a creepy vibe to it, which makes it very interesting. "Fever Forever" gave me the feeling of listening to an album that you already know the singles to and when you reach this one, you just know why. It's a very deep cut, and I do like the way Michelle mumbles some of her lines with attitude.
As for the final two. they sound like standard songs with singing that drag you alone where the lyrics don't really grab you. so yeah.
Summary: Michelle Branch is literally my first love in music so I will always have a soft spot for her. I can listen to this album, I can tolerate it without skipping. But, do i want to? probably never. even hopeless romantic was better.
Favorite Songs:
You Got Me Where You Want Me, When That Somebody is You, Zut Alors!
Rating: 5/10
No comments:
Post a Comment