Mandy Moore - Wild Hope
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Mandy MooreEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2007-06-19
Music Label: Firm Music
Soundtracks:
- Extraordinary
- All Good Things
- Slummin' in Paradise
- Most of Me
- Few Days Down
- Can't You Just Adore Her?
- Looking Forward to Looking Back
- Wild Hope
- Nothing That You Are
- Latest Mistake
- Ladies' Choice
- Gardenia
Free Music Notes for Wild Hope
Free Music Review: The Evolution of Mandy Moore : The Birth of a Musician
Hit: 5 Stars
Hands down, this is Mandy Moore's best album. Coming as it does after the equally stellar "Coverage", it propels Mandy into a whole new stratosphere of musicianship. In fact, I would go so far as to say that this is by far the most Joni Mitchell-sounding album that Joni herself didn't record.
For those of you who are late to the party - this is an album of folksy pop-rock songs set to melodies reminiscent of the early to mid 1970s. Mandy has a fine, girlish voice that isn't operatic by any standards - but it's the voice of a trained singer indeed. Her voice here is above and beyond Christina Aguilera's (the latters' particularly shrill voice was especially cringeworthy on her "Back to Basics" album). Also, if you're used to hearing about Mandy Moore in the same breath as say, Jessica Simpson or Britney Spears, please note than Mandy in no way shares any comparison to those singers, and hasn't for a while. I found her album of covers ("Coverage") amazingly mature considering how old she was at the time (barely 19), and even though that album is already about 3 years old, its still a staple fixture on my Ipod. Mandy also had a "Best Of" released recently, which featured some of her better known hits ("Candy" - a staple in dance choreography classes, "Crush" - a hit single that reached #1 on TRL, "I Wanna Be with you" - from the film "Center Stage", and the wondrous ballad "Only Hope"). It surprised me that Mandy had so many hits so early in her career, but most of these were of the pop variety, although some of them ("In My Pocket" for example) were bonafide classics (with its' own cult following in Australia, where Mandy consistently outsells herself, and for some reason is her No. 1 market).
Which brings us to this new album - "Wild Hope". First of all, let me say that if you're a fan of Laura Nyro, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon, Tori Amos or Eva Cassidy, you will love this album to bits. No two ways about it. At its' best, its reminiscent of Joni Mitchells' "Blue", and at its' more regular intervals, it feels very much like some of Tori Amos' B-sides, or many of the more loungey numbers put out by Eva Cassidy. However, this is all a good thing. What is even more stunning, is that Mandy defines a whole new personality for herself on this record.
Lead single "Extraordinary" is one of those sunny, California-beach numbers that is so infectious, its impossible to hate it no matter what your musical tastes. For some reason, I was constantly reminded of Tim Buckley's "Greetings from LA" album while listening to this song. In fact, the Beach Boys/Tim Buckley sound is something that permeates this entire album from start to finish. Production is uniformly excellent, and this is especially evident on "Wild Hope", the title track, which reads like a spiritual poem to oneself, filled with metaphors and Sylvia Plath-like imagery. You read that right. Many of the lyrics on this album aren't very direct, and the use of language is thought-provoking and brilliant, at times.
My particular favorite is "All Good things" - the vocally challenging verse is a stunner - and the track is one of those immediately memorable songs that can only sound better upon repeated plays. I read that Rachel Yamagata co-wrote some of these songs and it shows. Another prime standout "Can't you just adore her?" is a young womans' lament, and Mandy captures in her voice what seasoned veterans twice her age often fail to in these lyrical situations (Mariah Carey, anyone?).
Do remember though, that this album isn't one of those direct recordings that you might end up falling in love with upon first listen. Rather, it's takes its' time to unravel. My advance recording of it didn't quite excite me, and when I listened to the entire record a week later it seemed like a whole new CD. Now I can say that the single "Extraordinary" is actually one of the weakest moments here. "Latest Mistake" and "Few Days Down" are one of those stripped-down jazzy moments that just make any record that much more special. What I also liked about this new CD is that you can actually let this play all the way through without wanting to fast-forward or skip any track - a miracle in this day and age. I also like that this album is actually an indie release, since Mandy Moore is no longer signed to any major label anymore. This means limited availability, lower chart performance, and perhaps less commercial recognition, which is a pity considering that this is obviously her best work - and I'd be surprised if she outdid this one in the future.
I saved the best for last though. The greatest track on this new record is "Gardenia". Wow. If you thought Moore was just another pretty face with a lot of pop-gimmickry propping her, then think again. This is a stripped down acoustic number (reminded me of the better songs by Jewel or Anna Nalick), but her voice is decidedly better here than anywhere else on the record. You can tell she has rehearsed extensively and she sings her heart out on this one. You know what I like? When producers decide to minimize the instrumentation and let the singers' voice take center stage with impeccable clarity and resonance. And they let Moore soar here like never before. Musically, it's a simple melody that is oft-repetitive, but lyrically and vocally, I can state that this is Moore's finest moment on record ever.
So should you get this? Well, if you've read this far, my obvious answer is YES, because I cannot think of a single release this year (apart from Tori Amos' "American Doll Posse" and Rufus Wainwrights' "Release the Stars") that has satisfied me and impressed me as much as this. I think one of the reasons I appreciated this album is because I didn't pigeon-hole Mandy as a `teen-pop' performer. This is classic folk-pop music, and perfect music for that rainy day when its gray outside, and all you want to do is curl up in your sofa with a good book and a hot cup of coffee. In fact, I cannot think of a better time to listen to this.
Never boring, and instantly memorable, this is the album that finally heralds Mandy Moore's arrival on the music scene. Five Stars. Highly Recommended.
Wild Hope Poster
Mandy Moore Photos
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Back in the 1990s, when Mandy Moore was still trying to outmaneuver fellow junior glamazons Britney, Jessica, and Christina up the pop charts, the best song she was able to pull from her bag of tricks was "Candy," a tune that was way more Twizzler than Starburst. Cut to 2007: Moore, a respected Hollywood actress (never mind the Diane Keaton dud Because I Said So), has made a record that reflects the artist that--against some heavy odds--she's become. Wild Hope, co-written with the cred-conferring team of Rachael Yamagata, Lori McKenna, and the Weepies, should earn her a spot on adult-alternative radio alongside format regulars Dar Williams, Sarah McLachlan, and Jonatha Brooke. Its songs, like the achy "Gardenia," sung over a gently plunked piano, aim at confession and clarity: "I'm the one who likes to make love on the floor," the chorus reminds a vacant-eyed lover. Earlier, on first single "Extraordinary," Moore pours her rich, country-rubbed, Anna Nalick-like vocals into self-scrutiny and renewal: "I was a starling, nobody's darling/Now I'm ready to be extraordinary," she sings. Talent will be Moore's ticket to the transformation she's going for--no wild hoping necessary. --Tammy La Gorce
More Mandy Moore
 The Best of Mandy Moore |  Coverage |  Mandy Moore |  I Wanna Be with You |
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