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 (Independent)
Award-winning singer stumbles on the songwriting
It’s difficult to love original music, and to go into a EP with the best of intentions, only to be let down. I derive no pleasure from disliking this album, but there is very little to like about it. De Valence’s voice is impeccable, but without charm and uniqueness. The songs are a crossroads of the Dixie Chicks and Jewel at their worst. The lyrical content lacks any strong use of metaphor, instead relying on time-tested catchphrases such as "I’m drowning / In my tears / I’m looking at life / From the outside." The production is textbook adult contemporary, with church-like reverb on the vocals and acoustic guitar that has had all of the bottom-end taken out of it. An occasional, slightly overdriven guitar solo punctuates the songs, but does little to lift the dynamics. If this was released straight to Nova or Triple M it might sell, but as an independent release, it will struggle to make a ripple.
YUMI SED
1. Written by Rachael Ryan, on 16-03-2009 17:38
For someone who doesn't derive pleasure from disliking an album you certainly seemed to have a great time doing just that. I happened to hear this album live and let me tell you there was nothing lacking or undynamic about it, in fact time-tested would indicate that the artist is actually on a level that speaks to the people, you know the ones that test time.
Each keynote and each lyric actually transforms the otherwise harsh reality of everyday life into an all encompassing bubble of serenity. The melodies cascade with heartfelt themes, enriched emotion and breathtaking innocence that ripples the fabric of time into the heart, mind and soul of the listener. There is no comparison to the Dixie Chicks or Jewel and to tyr and do so shows that you have missed the entire underlying theme and message of the EP. This indicates more about you than the EP you are reviewing and clearly shows that perhaps you can't handle music where the lyrics actually feature and can be heard.
It won't struggle to make a ripple because it's already splashed down and caused a tsunami. |
2. Written by Yumi Sed, on 17-03-2009 13:42
That's what I love to hear...genuine discourse about music. Firstly I was reviewing the ALBUM not her Live performance. I think you have confused the two. I stand by the fact that as an album it lacks originality and peotry. Youw ere very eloquent in your description but a monkey in silk is still a monkey no less. Secondly I can hear the lyrics and I wish I couldn't. Cliched and cheesy come to mind. Although I'm glad you liked it... differences make the world go round. |
3. Written by Rachael Ryan, on 18-03-2009 10:32
And what is wrong with monkey's I say. Doesn't half the world believe we evolved from them making them the focal point of originality? I didn't actually confuse the Album with a live performance because the nature of Francesca's music is that unlike many many many other artists she sounds exactly the same live as she does on disc. Which translates as really getting your money's worth. The lyrics may seem cliched and cheesy to you but in reality as a human race aren't we all looking to fit in rather than stand out. What you call cliched and cheesy I call the essence of connecting with a listener and isn't that what music is all about? Differences do make the world go round just like listeners spin the discs.
I am glad that you agree her voice is impeecable, that means that there is hope you can be converted with future albums! |
4. Written by Tim Roberts, on 19-03-2009 07:45
Yes, Rachel Ryan's "I happened to hear this album live" is slightly amusing, but this (short) RAVE review seems like it was too hurriedly written, and not enough time given to more balanced appraisal. There's no mention of a stunning last track on the album "Miles Away", which to me would not sound out of place on a compilation CD beside artists the calibre of Brooke Fraser. Ideally, this review shouldn't have slipped past the editor's desk without a "please do some more research" request before submitting again. The reviewer touches on some technical points which perhaps hold truth for some listeners - the vocal reverb may be slightly too much for some ears. The lyrics may appear clichéd - but that is very often the genre in which this artist is writing! Not everything that comes from Brisbane has to be as pithy as The Saints or The Go Betweens. What is more important is that Francesca De Valence is one of the best young female pop voices on the Australian scene - perhaps too mainstream for some, but for many (if the large crowd at a recent Queen Street mall show is any indication) a greatly loved local artist with a broader appeal than just Nova and MMM. The review doesn't make RAVE look that flash, but then again, don't expect the all RAVE to be on a par with NME, or even TIME OFF. |
5. Written by Yumi Sed, on 19-03-2009 18:19
Emma Dean, Tara Simmons, Claire Whiting, Kate Miller Heidke, Ofa from Chocolate Strings, Carry Nation - just a few of the Brisbane female artists whose music make this album look amatuer, dated and uninspired. There\'s a line stretching from McWhirters to Metro Arts of talent Brisbane artists who soar above this release. The production and songwriting were hugely disapponting and due to my research that some say I didn\'t do I am aware of the amazing collaborations Francesca has been a part of and the awards she has deservedly won for her unique vocal talent. It was with that in mind, her talent, that I reviewed this with a firm hand. Someone of her calibre is capable of so so much more but she failed to deliver on this outing.
ps.... I hate when a live show is a carbon copy of the cd, I want diversity and organic responses to the energy of the varied audiences one encounters.
pps.... Yeah Time Off are great, they give top notch reviews to all the artists their writers also happen to be management for. There\'s some interesting reasearch to do.... It\'s homework time class. |
6. Written by Tim Roberts, on 21-03-2009 08:52
Let's take a detour to Emma Dean, Tara Simmons, and the other long list of rather varied female Brisbane singer-songwriters this reviewer mentions, all of which I've met and heard both live and recorded. Unfortunately I never mentioned any of these artists in my blog comment: I mentioned Brooke Fraser. I mentioned Fraser because I listened to the tracks off Francesca De Valence's CD, I formed my own opinion that Fraser was relevant, I went to a De Valence gig (that drew one of the largest crowds in the Queen Street Mall I’ve seen and certainly a lot larger than any Emma Dean or Tara Simmons mall gig I've been to), and I talked to De Valence and mentioned Fraser, and it turns out De Valence was about to meet with Fraser's producer in L.A.
Anyone can tear a song or a CD apart as Yumi Sed has done here - the question is whether their opinions are valid or wide of the mark. With Yumi Sed making comparisons to The Dixie Chicks and Jewel and other songwriters such as Ofa (Chocolate Strings), I'll leave other bloggers to judge whether these are relevant, and whether this reviewer should have put more effort into this review, or perhaps passed it on to someone else at RAVE more familiar with this music. |
7. Written by Daniel Bryar, on 23-03-2009 11:01
I'm struggling to find the words to reply but you mention "Award winning" and "stumbles on the songwriting" not only in the same sentence, but as the sub-heading to your review. The last time I saw a poster for Francesca I'm fairly certain the award, emblazoned on the very top of the page, was for "International SONGWRITER of the year". Perhaps the judging panel for that particular group maybe, just maybe, listened to more than just one song in its entirety. Perhaps they also are aware that half the art of song writing is being able to put your feelings in to words and metaphors.
And maybe it's not to your taste, but as a review it really looks like you just rushed this one out to meet a deadline. This isn't a personal attack, but when reading a review of a CD, or EP for that matter, I would usually expect to read some words about;
a) some, if not all the standout tracks, and
b) a breakdown of the general moods/feelings evoked by the track ordering.
I think (although I could be wrong) that all the lyrics you have quoted are from the one song, "Breathe".
I'm not one to comment on the musicianship of the sound engineer, but I will say that you at least you can appreciate an outstanding voice, despite your criticism of the music behind it. I might also just add that it's a voice that is pitch-perfect on stage as well as the CD, which is something nearly all the pretty faces on the CD covers can't do without the use of Auto Tune. |
8. Written by Yumi Sed, on 24-03-2009 11:12
I listened to the entire cd multiple times. I know she won an award for songwriting but it wasn't for a song off this album that's for sure. Deal with it guys - I hated every inch of this album and if you have read any of my other reviews you would be aware that I ALWAYS attempt to find the good in an album and on this occassion there was nothing to be found. Her voice is pitch perfect, but that does not a good songwriter, make.
There were no standout tracks.
The only mood the cd evoked was one of frustration that this 'award winning' musician released an album that is a disappointment.
Like I said before..... at least three people like it.
Thuis will be my final comment on the matter but attack my writing all you like kiddies. |
9. Written by Daniel Bryar, on 25-03-2009 08:40
Good journalism starts with good research, that's for sure. At least Google the topic before stating "it's not off this album" like it was a fact. To save yourself 20 precious seconds click here http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25181425-5003421,00.html and scroll down to 'Award nomination'.
Looking further, the only review I could find even remotely negative was from Nick Bond (http://sydney.citysearch.com.au/music/1137644063670/Francesca+de+Valence:+From+The+Outside+In) so Yumi, I think you are way off the mark by entrenching your view further and further towards an almost personal attack on the artist/album. |
10. Written by Linda Charlton, on 27-03-2009 09:51
Obviously, the credibility of the reviewer is now under question, given that Yumi didn't even bother to check which song won the award before charging in and now is not going to bother discussing the review anymore. It's not a bad thing to write a negative review, but it's a bad thing to write a bad review, which this is.
Of course a review will contain a critic's personal view of the album but this mostly generalised view tells more about Yumi's lack of originality, with tired similes and an obvious lack of knowledge of what Nova and Triple M play.
I agree with Mr Bryar's and Ms Ryan's comments that it is likely this was just written off the cuff to meet a deadline, possibly during a hangover? Just a guess but there must be some excuse for such poor journalism.
And as far as Francesca's live show sounding "exactly link the CD" I believe what Ms Ryan was trying to express is that Francesca actually sounds as good live as she does recorded, without production. In my opinion, she's much better live and having seen her several times, I can guarantee Yumi that her shows are organic, adapted to the venue and she quickly establishes a warm rapport with her audience. Her set list is well prepared and particularly in a smaller bar/restaurant venue is the only artist I've seen in a long time who can command attentive silence from her audience.
Of course Yumi, this is an EP review and you're entitled to dislike an album, but at least be able to express such dislike with the expertise expected of someone in your position. I'll be very wary of your comments in the future. |
11. Written by Charles Aiges, on 11-04-2009 06:11
Sorry - I'd have to say I agree with the reviewer. Nice voice, but I'm not too keen on the writing. |
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Comments (11)
