Search - Shannon Wright :: Flightsafety

Flightsafety tells secrets

09/15/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"On the word of several reviews, I went out and bought this album yesterday - a dark rain-threatened day, which was perfect for my first listen to flightsafety. I struggle to describe this album, though other reviewers have done it eloquently. I will say that I do NOT think shannonwright sounds 'like a cross between Tori Amos and Chan Marshall', and I do listen to quite a bit of both. No, her sound is more stripped down, more melancholy, less angry (or anguished) than Cat Power. The songs on flightsafety gave me chills. I felt like I was listening to secrets. The instrumentation is gorgeous and spare, with hints of other instruments creeping in between guitar and piano - I especially love her use of the Wurlitzer organ. In trying to describe this cd to a friend I said, "Yes, there is a little Sonora Pine (another amazing Quarterstick band), a little Cat Power, maybe, but mostly I just think this album sounds like Edward Gorey drawings - dark, imperfect, classically gothic, every sound hinting of something unsettling going on."In short, I highly recommend this album. If you love the instrumentation, I would also check out Pullman's "Turnstiles and Junkpiles". It is another gorgeous piece of work; less sad, maybe, but equally as isolating."

Stunningly good.

D. Mok | Los Angeles, CA | 06/28/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Singer (in fact, a very good one), songwriter, guitarist, pianist, organist, drummer, producer...Shannon Wright's amazing arsenal of talents are put to full use on this, one of those transcendental albums that defy easy categorization.



First of all there's Wright's singing style. Possessing of a sober, mesmerizing voice that can convey strength, assertion, fragility, winsomeness, wide-eyed wonder, joy and melancholy, she never gets lost in the swirl of instruments that makes up her recordings. An innovative arranger and inscrutably melodic player (even her drumming adds to the melodic textures of her songs), Wright never goes overboard with her one-woman-band setup. Her playing always contributes to the song instead of showing off.



And then there's the songs. Wright is a lyricist of rare sophistication yet never lapsing into complete obscurity. Evocative, poetic and at times deeply emotional (her delivery, again, helps), these songs achieve a clarity of sentiment and thought unusual in this era of teen idols and smartass alt/cock-rock songwriters. Standouts are "Captain of Quarantine", wrapping a deceptively simple melody in insistent acoustic guitars; the wrenching "Heavy Crown", the whispery gem "Hobos on Parade", the twistily melodic "You're the Cup", and crowning statement of independence "All These Things" -- a song that shows rough-hewn amateurs like Alanis Morissette that you don't have to shout and screech to assert the strength of your personality.



Time Out New York championed Wright as one of the best songwriters in America right now -- a claim not too far from the truth. She can also lay claim to being one of the most resourceful singers and instrumentalists out there, crossing genres and moods effortlessly, with grace.



Dive in."

Splendid

Leanne G. Douglas | 08/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow. Wow, wow, wow. I will try to describe this ablum but how can someone describe the taste of chocolate? I got this cd this morning after a long 2 week wait (I will never pay by check to amazon.com again). I was soo excited to finally listen to this cd, and bam! It hit's me, sophisticated guitar playing, and that beautiful, beautiful voice. It's so soft and sweet, yet not overly-vulnerable. And her piano playing, her drumming... can she play every instrument? Every song on this album is a gem. My favorites- "All These Things", "Heavy Crown", "You're The Cup", "Captain Of The Quarantine", "Floor Pile", "Rich Hum Of Air".... the list could go on until I mention every song. Really, you have to get this cd, there is no way of describing the melancholy beauty of the music or her voice. You have to hear it to believe it.I can't wait to get "Maps of Tacit", Shannon Wright will forever be in my heart."