Album Name: One Room Palace
Artist: Odessa Chen
Year/Label: 2003 / Independent
Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell
Odessa Chen’s debut is just lovely. Her sweet vocal guides the spacious-sounding music. “For a Song” is a stunning opener, Chen’s dreamy voice weaving round the instruments in a nice way.
“One Hit” is a becalmed song that uses the cello. The song resembles Sarah McLachlan at her best.
“Where Heaven Should be” is eerily evocative and has Chen singing softly. She sounds like Heather Nova here. “When will you wake me from this world?” she asks spookily.
“Fringe” is a duet with bassist Charles Denison that has his voice blending nicely with Odessa Chen’s. The song’s melancholy is very appealing.
The harder edged “Default” proves a welcome contrast to the largely soft material elsewhere. Chen can handle this style well too.
“One Room Palace” is a good way for Chen to start a career in music and it’s a great album.
Posted on July 2, 2003
Track Listing
1. For a Song
2. One Hit
3. Where Heaven should be
4. Side By Side
5. Fringe
6. Default
7. Snow Angels
8. Sleep Music for Jeff
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