Search - Rosie Thomas :: If Songs Could Be Held

Rosie graciously grows her sound for her best album to date.

Neil Mansilla | Detroit, MI USA | 10/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rosie has broadened her sound stage, and has moved into a new place that is very, very enjoyable. When you listen to this album for the first time, other artists may pop into your head on a track-by-track basis. But no matter who you compare her to, each song definitely lists Roseanne as the first ingredient. Okay, most artists want to hang reviewers for comparing them to their contemporaries but I'm going to do it anyway.



What's obviously different on this album is the meaningful integration of musical instruments -- very relaxed and confident drums, soulful bass guitar, more piano and keyboards, flowing and plucky strings, horns, multiple guitars... wait, compared to her last album, that looks like everything and the kitchen sink, right? Well, worry not, because whoever mixed down and produced this album took all of those elements and blends them together, yet keeps them individual, and best of all, Rosie's voice is still the lead instrument.



"Since You've Been Around", is a well placed first track. Whereas Rosie's last album's opening track had interesting vocal layering, this album's opener demonstrates beautiful and intelligent instrumental layering. And I'm not sure if it was intentional, but the song can actually be heard with two distinctly different rhythms.. bear with me, but if you take the very first guitar strum and imagine it being on a syncopated one count, it sounds perfectly in sync, even with Rosie's vocals, and piano (with an almost offbeat syncopated delivery on each line). But the moment the bass drum is introduced at the midpoint of the song, the drum appears to be on a syncopated second quarter note beat, and I thought, "Wow, that is very unique!" But in actuality, I believe the bass drum notes are on the square 2nd and 4th quarter notes -- and if you listen to the entire song in that way, the background music seems much more geometric. I promise, that's the last time I'll break down a song like that.. but being a drummer, I found it very fun to try to jump back-and-forth between starting beats. Intentional or not, I love it.



"Pretty Dress", I fell in love with the song the first time I heard it. Being a contemporary female vocal artist aficionado, I'd say this track's arrangement definitely reminds me of Jonatha Brooke. Mind you, I love Jonatha Brooke's work (ever since The Story). I'm not at all saying they're the same. To be fair, Jonatha's an incredible guitar player and composer, and there's no question that Rosie has far more beautiful flowing vocal abilities.. but the arrangement and cadence of "Pretty Dress" just grabbed me from the start, and pop-radio, again, fails miserably if they can't pick this single up and run with it. This is the type of song that gets you to sing along, drum with your fingers, and bob your head... and it all blends in perfectly, still showcasing Rosie's vocals. This is that song that you wish was on pop-radio so that you can proudly say that there is vocal and song-writing talent in the young female artist genre.



"Let It Be Me" was a huge surprise for me, because I'm an Ed Harcourt fan. This is just a cozy love song.. but what I find most interesting is how well their voices work together. And what more is how hushy Ed Harcourt's voice really is. I mean, on this track, it almost feels Ed Harcourt is like a big soft makeup brush being gently applied to your ears. "Clear As A Bell" is more reminiscent of Rosie's earlier work, a folkier guitar-centric sound. I am enjoying the acoustic guitar work on this album even moreso than on her previous albums. Listening to this track with my Grado headphones brought it more up-close than in my home or auto system, and to hear the different guitar parts' purposeful weaving into one another, it illustrates Rosie's maturation of musical composition.



"Say What You Want" is yet another track that immediately stuck to me. A very strong contemporary association popped in my head the first time I heard Rosie's chorus.. and that is Jennifer Kimball's "Veering From The Wave". (Jennifer was the second-half of The Story with Jonatha Brooke) The seven/minor/major chord shifts that Rosie presents in this track really take hold. Again, the layering on this track with the backup and background vocals are so subtle, if they were removed, you'd know you were missing something, but you couldn't put your finger on what's absent. "Tomorrow" is her album's closing track. While probably not the reason for existence, this song is destined for a movie soundtrack.



I really did enjoy this latest album from front-to-back. "Since You've Been Around" and "Pretty Dress" will definitely make it to your regular driving music rotation. However, might I suggest buying yourself a good set of headphones and give this album a close listen. It really deserves that type of listen, because the ingredients are more rich and abundant than she's ever presented, and the production really brings the them all together. If you're not familar with Rosie already, I really do suggest you treat your ears to a voice that can warm your heart."

If albums could be held together better....

Stephen Doig | New Zealand | 05/26/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"On a road trip recently, a friend and I were listening to one of those music magazine compilations covering the best of that months new music. Most of it was pleasant, in a forgettable sort of way, until about track 9 when something altogether different and quite splendid suddenly burst forth from the car stereo speakers. Scrambling for the CD case I soon discovered that the artist was Rosie Thomas and the song 'Pretty Dress'. No sooner had I heard that, then I wanted to hear everything by this enchanting sounding singer-songwriter, and this curiosity led me to track down Rosie Thomas' latest release If Songs Could Be Held.



If you hadn't already guessed from the album title, Rosie Thomas is a sensitive soul, one who crafts literate, introspective songs of delicate beauty. These qualities are exemplified by album opener 'Since You've Been Around', a winsome ballad that captures well the flood of muddled emotions you get from being attracted to someone new on the scene. Next comes the aforementioned 'Pretty Dress' and not only was it immediately arresting 3 months ago, it remains captivating to me now. After the wonderful lead-in of 'Since You've Been Around' and then the melodic jolt of 'Pretty Dress' it's slightly dissappointing to find that nothing on the remainder of the record comes close to being as catchy or upbeat. It all becomes a bit one-paced, with one wistful ballad after another, leaving this particular listener yearning for something a little more rousing or left-field. Taken by themselves, each of these songs are actually quite pretty, but lumped in together they all seem to blend.



Focusing on the positives though, what tracks 1 and 2 clearly illustrate, is that Rosie Thomas has all the capabilities as a songwriter to be more than just a mid-pack player. Definitely an artist to watch.



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Hauntingly Beautiful

Robert K. Warner | Massachusetts | 07/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first heard Rosie's music on Grey's Anatomy earlier this year. I was captured by her voice, which was soft and beautiful, but achingly sad. Every time I play the CD I am reminded why I bought it in the first place. The songs speak of relationships and heartache and joy. It's a peaceful album, with lyrics that will make you think. Enjoy it when you have time to reflect and listen to what she has to say. I'd rate it one of my top picks of the year and I look forward to more of her music."