Album Review: Bric-a-Brac… by Kristi Michele
Album Name: Bric-a-Brac A Collection Of Musical Stories, Sentences, And Half-Words
Artist: Kristi Michele
Year/Label: 2010 / Independent
[Buy at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]
Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds
I wasn’t sure what to make of this record when I first got it. I immediately liked the artwork and was anxious to hear it, but didn’t know what to expect. Which is good. Because I don’t think I would have guessed this.
The songs are rhythmic and spooky. The production is sorta lo-fi and echoey, which adds to the haunting effect. Her voice, clear and emotional, is a perfect match for the style.
Many of these songs are really short, as in under 2 minutes, so the mood switches often, but never strays far from its general feel, which is kinda circus-carnival-like and strange, but in a good way.
On Chirp, her voice actually sounds far away, like she’s singing from the next room.
Elf Man is like some wacky carnival ride.
If I heard And I Lock It alone, without any others I might have pegged her as simply folk. Eh, maybe edgy folk.
I think Castle over Me might be my favorite. That tinkly opening melody haunts my dreams. Literally.There is also a little theatrical vibe here, which is always welcome to my ears.
I honestly like every song on here, they’re all really cool in their own way. I’m excited about this new discovery.
This album is an odd one, no doubt, but I really like it.
Track Listing
1. Intro (everywhere)
2. Chirp
3. Taming A Lion
4. Elf Man
5. And I Lock It
6. Castle Over Me
7. A Girl (leaves Her House And Wanders Through The Night Alone)
8. Rain Is Falling
9. So Soon
10. See, It’s Easy!
11. Juliet’s Lament
12. Jonny’s Suite (wild Things Are Not Here)
13. Outro (candy Shop)
[Kristi Michele Official Site]
posted on April 23rd, 2010 at 12:17 pm
posted on April 23rd, 2010 at 1:37 pm