Amel Larrieux - Bravebird
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Amel LarrieuxEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2004-01-20
Music Label: Bliss Life
Soundtracks:
- For Real
- Bravebird
- New
- Dear To Me
- Beyond
- Giving Something Up
- Your Eyes
- Get To
- Every Second
- Sacred
- All I Got
Free Music Notes for Bravebird
Free Music Review: The little Bravebird that could
Hit: 5 Stars
After her amazing solo debut, Infinite Possibilites, in 2000, Amel Larrieux's possibilities seemed endless. However the major label she was signed with (Sony) dropped her like a hot potato. The album was a hit with critics and the singles Get Up, INI, and Sweet Misery got some radio love, but it wasn't a huge hit in sales. Not missing a beat, Amel formed her own record label Blisslife with her husband/collaborator Laru Larrieux. 4 years later, Bravebird was ready to fly. This album is similar to the last record, but not a carbon copy. It stands on it's own quite well. Amel has a sort of fearlessness that exudes from the cover to the actual songs.
1. For Real - Opening with the coo of her baby daughter and a tickling piano, Amel softly sings about a love with no bounds. Her man makes her feel like she can do anything and the production is flawless. No wonder it was chosen as the first single and it's a great way to kick off the album. It's radio friendly, but doesn't betray Amel's individuality.
2. Bravebird - The dance beat and handclaps are a little off putting at first listen since this is a song about female circumcision. The dance beat gives way to a soft and airy piano and the song's message comes through. It's about the bravebirds who find the courage to speak out about the pain they've endured for those who can't. It's like a lighter, more optimistic take on Sade's Pearls.
3. Dear To Me - This is where Amel gets her Sheryl Crow on. The bouncy beat, funky drums, and jangling guitar give a down home feel about reaffirming the love one has for their lover. "You are dear to me, you know who you are!"
4. All I Got - The first version of this song is pretty good. It's very similar to Alanis Morrisette's Hand In My Pocket in it's theme. Amel sings about all the things she has to get her through life and how no one will get her down.
5. Beyond - A beautiful haunting ballad with only a piano and some strings, Amel sings about how her love will always be alive even though she may be gone from this earth. Very similar to Even If from her first album.
6. We Can Be New - One of my all time favs on this album. I love the way it starts off so simple and mellow and becomes more ethereal by the end. It's about overcoming the pain of the last relationship and growing and changing in the next. Sounds like springtime.
7. Giving Something Up - THIS is where Amel shows off her sass and strength. She discusses the pain and degradation women have gone through since the beginning of time, but always manage to survive. It's not whiny at all, but strong.
8. Your Eyes - Sounds like something you could dance to in a ballroom. That's a good thing btw. With a simple piano, Amel sings about how her man's eyes transport her to heaven and keep her sustained. Too short, but lovely.
9. Congo - A mellow, but funky ode to the Congo and it's beauty. Amel wants to go so bad and just relax. I think this could have been a hit on radio.
10. Sacred - Channeling Tracy Chapman, this track may seem self righteous to some, but I disagree. Amel asks if anything's sacred anymore and speaks her mind about the state of the world. It's sparse and inspiring.
11. Say You Want It All - Now THIS is where it's at! Amel warns those who have dreams about making it big in the music world to beware those who want to manufacture you and stifle your creativity. It's definitely a kiss off to her being dropped from Sony, but it's not a pity party or whiny. It speaks the truth. The horns add alot of flavor.
12. All I Got2 - Even better than the original. It has more of a hip hop flavor and sounds even sassier. A male rapper drops in every now and then to add to the flow.
While I enjoyed Amel's debut, I think Bravebird is even better. Not a single skip worthy track in the bunch. Amel knows who she is and revels in it without blowing herself up or coming across like she's full of herself. Anyway, be sure to pick up a copy of this stunning album ASAP. You won't regret it.
Bravebird Poster
This singer/songwriter's sophomore solo effort fuses R&B, soul, hip-hop, jazz, and folk, defying pigeonholing. Larrieux continues to captivate, soaring with confidence and courage, especially in her explorations of love.A 9-year veteran of the indie R&B circuit, Amel Larrieux stretches her vocal wings on the stellar, yet painfully overlooked "Bravebird." Serving as her solo sophomore set, the New York-based singer/songwriter has crafted a disc that mixes midtempo melodies with beautiful and lush lyrics. Lead single "For Real," written by Larrieux and her husband Laru Larrieux, opens with a serene piano solo that is accented by the voice of a young baby cooing. Backed by an infectious, handclap-accented groove, Larrieux sings about "real love"--the kind of love that makes you a better person. Larrieux can also rock out and does just that on the funk-fueled "All I Got." The result is a bass-heavy affair that is accented by an electric guitar wah-wah and some impressive improvisation. However, it's on the heartbreaking "Beyond" that Larrieux truly shines. Backed by an acoustic guitar and quiet string section, Larrieux's lyrics of everlasting love make you want to believe in something more.
Like fellow soulsters Anthony Hamilton and Goapele, Larrieux, who began her career as one-half of the R&B duo Groove Theory, sings with an ease that is rare in many of today's R&B artists. Her voice is natural and engaging, and that's what makes Bravebird truly soar. --Rashaun Hall
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