Rosie Thomas - If Songs Could Be Held
By: Mark Runyon | Category: Album Reviews | 01/25/06 | 11:16 PM
 |  |  Grade: B- | Genre: Light Rock
Summary: Thomas' new album is a good one, yet never peeks its head into greatness. While its safe enough to finally launch her music to a wider audience, it lacks that intense emotional punch that defined her debut and was flirted with on Laughter.
The first time I discovered Rosie Thomas was many years ago opening for Josh Rouse at the Red Light Cafe in Atlanta. She wore what can only be described as a sock dress that looked like it was pulled off a character in a Dr. Seuss book. Once she started her set, her voice never rose above a whisper during the entire performance. Its like the songs were so fragile that she had to carefully pull them out of her bag to show us, only to wrap them back up and pack them away once the final note had trailed off. Then, rather inexplicitly, she morphed personalities to become a stand-up comic, donning the ridiculous getup of Sheila to relentlessly stab at the audience's funny bone. I left the evening thinking, "what a curious songwriter." Her talent was undeniable, but I think her softer tone slid me into a sleepy trance of sorts. In the wash of new artists, she disappeared from my view. A year later, I heard the beautiful song of empowerment "Wedding Day" on a Paste Music compilation CD. It took a while before I plugged 2 and 2 together, realizing this beautiful songbird and sock dress girl were actually one in the same. |
Her debut effort When We Were Small marked one of the most stunning releases of 2002. It was an effort executed with careful beauty. Its compositions were largely bare, supported solely by her aching vocals, subtle pianos and lethargic guitars. Its choice to hang its hat on emotion rather than glitz made it a compelling listen each chord shuffling into the next. Her sophomore release, Only With Laughter Can You Win, elevated the production quotient, rubbing a bit of emotional resonance off the feel of When We Were Small. While it didn't have that cover-to-cover greatness, it contained some of her best introspective reflections in songs like "Let Myself Fall," "I Play Music," and "Sell All My Things."
If Songs Could Be Held ups the production values even more, seemingly in a push to launch her as an adult contemporary artist. While Rosie is still firmly in control of these songs, the slick finish lends clutter to further scuff her intense emotional charge. It really sounds like something you might hear running across your local soft rock radio frequency. While that may seem like a subtle knock, it really isn't. Just like any genre of music, if you have a talented songwriter executing the compositions, you are going to see quality results.
A smattering of good tracks populates this album, but few really take the initiative to advance to the head of the class. "Let It Be" is her duet with indie rocker Ed Harcourt. Admittedly, I haven't tuned into Harcourt since his heady Here Be Monsters, but he sounds a shade neutered here. The track almost resembles Barbara Streisand and Barry Gibb giving it a go around the track. Tracks like "Pretty Dress" fare much better. It's enters with a quiet urgency on dabbling pianos. Ultimately that intriguing sound gives way to the layer of instruments, fully texturizing the piece. It holds its own despite fighting the current pulling it towards a more intimate look. "Since You've Been Around" sounds like a welcomed throw back to her earlier days. Dripping in heartbreak, it's trying to find which end is up after love has swallowed you up only to spit you out again. The arrangements are fairly sparse, allowing Rosie's many talents to shine through unabated. It's a shame we couldn't have seen more of these moments on this album.
Thomas' new album is a good one, yet never peeks its head into greatness. It doesn't contain those unforgettable tracks she's blessed us with in the past like "Wedding Day" or "Sell All My Things." While its safe enough to finally launch her music to a wider audience, the nice serenade of "Since You've Been Around" during a recent episode of Grey's Anatomy certainly doesn't hurt either, it lacks that intense emotional punch that defined her debut and was flirted with on Laughter. Music is always rooted in balance, and I think If Songs Could Be Held sounds a bit lopsided. Thomas' rich talent rescues it from capsizing, but of her three releases, this is her most watered down. For those who haven't had the pleasure of discovering Rosie yet, I'd recommend acquainting yourself with her first effort When We Were Small. For those who are securely on the Rosie bandwagon, If Songs Could Be Held is worth checking out to see her continue to evolve as an artist. Just realize its limitations, and let her work through these growing pains. Her true beauty will surface once again.
Release Date: September 23, 2005
|
