Rachel SmithCountry of origin:Canada Type of music generally:Beautiful & fierce evocative/eclectic experimental folk-rock/alternative pop Status:Most recent release, famous secrets (2006) See also:Rachel Smith's CDBaby page Comparisons:Tamara Williamson (solo and Mrs. Torrance), Rebecca Moore, '80s-era Jane Siberry, Sara Craig, Karen Peris (Innocence Mission), Veda Hille Covers/own material:Own General comments:Discovering Rachel Smith was like discovering a cool breeze on a hot day. Her music showed me that there are still ways of making pop songs that are innovative and edgy and yet melodic and catchy. Full of interesting tunes that stick in your head because you admire them. Extremely personal lyrics which are still universal—allusive yet not cryptic. Recommended first album:the clearing Recordings:
the clearingRelease info:2001—self-released—TC0001 Availability:See CDbaby website Ecto priority:Highest recommendation Group members:Rachel Smith—vocals, guitar, piano Guest artists:Krista Muir—violin on 2 tracks, backing vocals on 1 track Produced by:Rachel Smith and Jason Corey, one track produced by Karl Mohr Comments:This is one of my favourite discs of the year. I've been playing and playing and playing it. It's experimental pop, sweet and a touch edgy and full of interesting, allusive lyrics, strange little hooks and tunes and ways of putting songs together. Each tune has its own personality, and yet the album flows as a whole. I'm especially in utter love with the most Jane Siberry-like song, the album closer, "the waves", and the tango, "juanita", but the whole disc is a delight and I could list things I especially love about each song here. famous secretsRelease info:2006—self-released Availability:CD Baby Ecto priority:Highly recommended Group members:Rachel Smith—vocals, piano, keyboards, Wurlizter, guitar, handclaps Guest artists:Tamara Williamson—backing vocals, guitar, squeezebox, handclaps Produced by:Tamara Williamson; 1 track by Al Okada Comments:famous secrets is more lo fi, lower key, looser, and somewhat subtler in effect than Rachel Smith's debut (though The Clearing was plenty subtle). This new album doesn't have the immediately galvinizing effect that The Clearing had on me, but its charm becomes more apparent with each listening. This is clearly an album that will continue to grow on me as I get to know it better—it's compelling from the start, as Rachel Smith's vocals and songwriting here are strong, mature, and affecting. Highly recommended. |
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