Melissa Ferrick - Valentine Heartache (12 tracks) +Album Reviews +Used CD available for Swap

[welcome to my life]

Amelia Jane | Provincetown, MA United States | 05/08/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Melissa Ferrick continues to improve on past albums with this, her follow-up to the much acclaimed Freedom and her second release on her own record label, Right on Records. The album definitely lives up to her popular live sound, not *too* produced but not too stark, either. While the makeup of the band is slightly different from the last album (now it's MF and Brian Winton, sans Marika Tjelios), the sound is still just as incredible. Songs covering everything from her anxiety disorder to her breakups to her history with major record labels, accompanied by her strong vocals, guitar, bass, and horns (!), and paired with Winton's drum prowess, make this record her most diverse yet. The cover of Patty Griffin's "Moses" is my favorite song on the album -- but they will all blow you away. Her astoundingly honest, personal, and approachable lyrics, vocals, and music make Valentine Heartache definitely worth it."

Too long on the road

Amelia Jane | 07/19/2001

(2 out of 5 stars)

"This album didn't grab me as much as the other albums. It seemed to me like Melissa has spent too much time on the road singing about the same problems. Her songs suffer for it, they are becoming so self-referential that I have a hard time relating. A disappointment."

Realized potential

norabmc | Philadelphia, PA | 10/23/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Melissa Ferrick has had an unconventional career. Plucked out of near-obscurity to open for Morissey, she was signed to a deal by Atlantic Records. While those albums have moments of brilliance, they are nothing compared to what Ferrick has been able to put out now that she has started her own label and taken control of her music.Valentine Heartache is a splendid album, a rare find. It is "intense" and "raw" and many other somewhat cliched critical terms. In my opinion, however, it is primarily the reaching of a benchmark. Finally Ferrick is behind the wheel and has made an "essential" album. While the prior release, "Freedom," is also excellent, "Valentine Heartache" sounds more comfortable, more at ease. It is a pleasure to listen to.It is true, Ferrick's lyrics tend to cover old ground: love, betrayal, change, growth. She sings about hurt in a way that many will dismiss. However, the combination of power and musicianship sets this album above her others, and on par with or above many of the artists she once shared a label with. She also plays the trumpet on this album (she went Berklee College of Music for her trumpetmanship) and experiments with slower tempos in more successful ways than on previous albums.There is no substitute for a Ferrick live show; she is *that good* live. However, look to either this album or "Skinnier-Faster-Live at the BPC" for an introduction to her music. Stand out tracks include the roaring "One Night Stand," the dedication of sorts to her fans "Welcome to my Life," the trumpet-filled treatise against earlier labels "E-mail," and "Mercy.""

Disappointing

Holly | USA | 02/25/2002

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Since her album of EVERYTHING I NEED Melissa's music was getting better and better, and now it seems all of her talent went into something rather self-pitying. I think her past is catching up with her in this album and holding her back from her real talent as a songwriter."

The Latest from Ferrick

Holly | 05/01/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Once again, Melissa Ferrick manages to put out an amazing album. Great lyrics, great sound. Same sound as previous albums, so if you like her previous music, you should enjoy this cd. Not quite as good as Freedom, but still worth the $..."

Search - Melissa Ferrick :: Valentine Heartache

CD Details

Similarly Requested CDs

Member CD Reviews

CD Reviews

	Melissa Ferrick Valentine Heartache Genres: Alternative Rock, Folk, Pop, Rock Track Listings (12) - Disc #1 Welcome to My Life One Night Stand Who Knows Why Crack the Mirror Mercy I Still Love You To Feel Real Break Up Song Sky Above Will You Be the One E-Mail Moses - Melissa Ferrick, Griffin, Patty
3 Larger Image