Search - Holly McNarland :: Home Is Where

Spirited punk-tinged rock.

D. Mok | Los Angeles, CA | 10/04/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Holly McNarland may take home the prize for some of the dumbest album titles around (Stuff? Home Is Where My Feet Are?), but don't let that deter you. Her music and lyrics are far smarter than her unfortunate choices in titles.Though her 1997 debut Stuff had much more raw firepower, Home... kicks up the eccentricity a notch. Check out the techno-ed up "Brush into My Tears". Her melodies on this album are less immediately accessible and her song structures more ambitious, but there are still rock-out moments aplenty. Lead track "Do You Get High?" is a classic McNarland kicker in the veins of "Numb" and "The Box", with rough but anthemic vocal harmonies, big beats and electric guitars. McNarland has refined her vocals a bit to take the grating edge off, and while I enjoyed her unrestrained wails on Stuff, her singing has definitely matured. Her lyrics have improved greatly, dispensing with the sometimes awkward phrasing that had been her only lyrical flaw up to now. "Beautiful Blue" doesn't quite scale the heights of McNarland's best song "Water", but it remains an effective demonstration of her musical alchemy -- the reconciliation of the beautiful with the ugly, the tenderness with the rage. When this woman rocks out, she's a force to be reckoned with, her muscular arrangements, soaring but surprisingly versatile voice, and sure-handed song progressions demolishing the likes of Alanis Morissette.Five years was a long time to wait and I think Stuff is a stronger album given its unbridled energy. However, it's still mighty nice to see a talented, uncompromising singer-songwriter back in action. Think of it as riot-grrl energy with musical finesse and catchy pop sensibilities."

An Obscure Masterpiece

Drew Rogers | Nova Scotia | 10/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I got this CD after hearing Beautiful Blue on the radio and was blown away from the simple beauty of it.I was wondering how good this album would be. After all, it took over 4 years to make.Lke wine, Holly let herself age a little bit to perfection.The music is complex yet simple, and her voice is hard-edged and beautiful. She is a living oxymoron (in a good way)Soem of the songs are instantly accessable (Do You Get High, Sister, Beautiful Blue) while others you grow to love (my favorites I Cry, More, Dallas)She manages to get a very strong point across without being too wordy. In fact, many of her songs are lyrically repetitive, which usually bugs the hell out of me, but I like it here.A hidden gem that every true music fan should seek out."

Very good album

03/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"... This album is also very good. It is a bit more mellow than Stuff. There are some exceptional songs on this record. There are a couple less good ones, but just about every album has a couple. My favorites are Beautiful Blue and Watching Over You. She has a very pretty voice that can also be very powerful when she wants to crank it up. The album also has some nice drumming on it and is well produced."