Search - Rachel Cross :: Angels & Aliens, Monsters & Freaks

For the God of Love

demarko | Baltimore, MD | 04/22/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rachel Cross, in case you did not know, is a golden goddess. I have adored her since I first saw her in a coffee shop in suburbia one night. She was pounding out songs about trains on her guitar ("Love Train," Bob Dylan's "Freight Train Blues," etc.) and I was hooked. I bought her CD and haven't stopped listening to it since. Yes, she sings about more than just trains. Much more. On this disk she has songs about angels, aliens, monsters, freaks, guys who leave weird phone messages when they forget their medication, women who give their men what they deserve, the revolutionary act of positivity and the night sky, among other things. She sings in ancient Hebrew, in English, in French, with little kids, with an old, off-key lady (her mom, perhaps?) She does blues. She does folk. She does rock. She does weddings and bar mitzvahs. Though every track on this album sparkles, my favorites are "Laundry Song," a bluesy ode to her bass-playin'-man, "Freedom Song," an a-cappela song of empowerment and against sexism, and "Pride," her incredible cover of U2's classic. Buy this CD. It's too good not to have."

A Celebration of Life

Cletus Kennelly | Washington, D.C. | 05/15/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rachel Cross is a uniquely talented songwriter and singer. One of her many strengths is writing songs of social commentary that don't make the listener feel sad, but rather empowered (see "Freedom Song" and "She Went Walking"). Her songs exhibit a joyful spirit without a trace of naivete. This recording is a festival of sounds and, with all of its various moods and languages, feels like a celebration of life, all of it. Rachel is an engaging performer, and having had the pleasure of seeing her perform live, I was excited to find that her live energy comes through on this CD. It needs to be in your CD player."

Big Vision, Otherworldly

demarko | 07/26/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Rachel's music is what the world needs to hear - loud and clear. Rachel's writing comes from a heart that obviously loves her planet and ALL the people on it - and she wants to see them at peace.She injects her music with varied musical influences - the sky is the limit and the end product is tasty. If you would like to go on a musical journey that makes you think, laugh and tap your toe ( all at the same time) -- Rachel's absolutely original and highly developed talent and vision will entrance."