Customer Reviews

All Rise

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Inara George is a surprise when you first hear her. I first heard a track of Inara's on KCRW when my partner and I were out in the car. We had just turned on the radio and were caught in the middle of the song, and looked at one another, "Who the heck was that?". We noted the time, and later looked up KCRW's playlist on their website to find out it was Inara George. At the time a CD was unavailable and no one seemed to know who she was.
Patience is definitely a virture, because we finally heard it announced that Inara would play Pioneertown Palace, relatively close to our home-we were estatic!
The show was a success and I was surprised yet again when listening to that long-sought after CD, how untampered with her voice sounds. This CD is highly recommended, Fools in Love is my favorite, an ironic and sweetly sentimental abyss that everyone falls into. Each song is a treat, slowly savored and you will find yourself playing a few over and over again. Inara George is faintly reminiscent of gentler times, with less angst ridden drive, but just as pure and meaningful as one would expect from a soft-spoken lyricist and musician such as she. You are strongly reminded of a mix of Imogen Heap and Harriet Wheeler.

I discovered Merrick quite by accident when they opened a show for Cousteau. I was totally blown away and purchased both CD's right there from IG. Merrick certainly was not mainstream but over time they were getting some decent airplay and the local shows were getting more crowded. The music was a bit "outside" for many I suppose, but something changed. The last two times I saw them they were playing some new songs and I thought to myself "If these girls get a good producer and a label with some belief they could really take off" The tunes were almost pop songs although still contained the intricate melodies and vocal calisthenics that made them unique, they were really getting polished. Then they decided to call it a day. It's a shame that the tunes will never be released.
Inara George's "All Rise!" does not contain much of the Merrick quirkiness or more ethereal feel, but instead gives the listener a solid more straightforward folk/pop/chanteuse/jazz thing. With "All Rise!" Inara George has found the producer (Mike Andrews) and label (Everloving) that completely delivers her vision. Every song on this record shimmers with her beautiful voice, intricate melodies and often dark and sometimes brutal lyrics (see Turn Off/On which is as honest and cuts to the quick with the best of Elvis Costello or Graham Parsons).

Had gone to see the Cowboy Junkies and was pleasantly surprised by one Inara George. If I wasn't really listening I would have thought I was listening to Mazzy Star or Frente, but this has depths in different directions. Picked up the album immediately and haven't been disappointed yet - each song you can listen to for the melody or for the lyrics.

Inara George makes pop music, albeit pop music with twisty, inventive melodies and interesting song structures. All Rise is Inara's debut and though she's in fine voice throughout, some things work better on it than others.

'Fools Work' for instance, never really gets off the ground and whether by accident or design 'Turn On/Off' is much more turn-off than on. The lovely, dreamy 'No Poem' and 'What A Number' however, are the musical equivalent of being swept off your feet by a gentle wind and transported to a more beautiful place. Other tracks that have this bouyant, uplifting quality are 'Good To Me' and 'A Day' in which she duets with her godfather Jackson Browne.

The glimpses of brilliance on 'No Poem' and 'What A Number' in particular, suggest that Inara George has the necessary talent to be able to pull off a real masterpiece. All Rise is a decent effort and well worth investigating but this is not her masterpiece - Inara's best is yet to come.

I first heard "Mistress" on myspace.com/ascap, and I was completely taken aback. Of course, I bought the album, and I can't get enough of it. I'm a musician myself, so I appreciate each and every note and instrumentation. But aside from that, her lyrics and voice are gorgeous (yet sometimes the enunciation of words aren't quite as clear as her voice), and it's hard to take it off my iPod. So so hard...

Inara's music transcends indie rock and journies into a realm of fresh creativity. Her voice is clear and sweet while her lyrics are filled with introspective revire. Inara's songs like Mistress, Genius, and Turn On/Off are upbeat and original while Fools in Love and A Day carry nostalgic tones. If you haven't heard Inara before I highly recommend this album. You won't be dissapointed! A must have for any sophisticated fan of talented female volcalists.

this is possibly the most interesting and pleasant album i've heard in the past year. beyond the obviously good singing i was taken by the production and the songs... they are familiar but a little bit ambiguous, which is what i like about the best dylan or beatles or any "good words" artists. the music itself is just extremely well done... i don't know why it's so unique or how to categorize it... it's mellow, but not neccessarily slow, dreamlike and electronic but earthbound. whatever... it's just very very cool.

well i am giving it 4 stars and not 5 because i feel if ms. george can continue to pursue her art as she has been, even better things can come, and i would like to save the extra star for the future!

The loveliness of Inara's voice, and the thoughtful melancholic lyrics she sings with such ease and grace have made this a cd I turn to again and again. I first came upon Inara through my unending search to see what my musical hero, Jackson Browne, is up to. Some of you may recall his song, "Of Missing Persons," which he recorded on 1980's "Hold Out." That song was written for this very same Inara, as a tribute to her father, Little Feat founder, Lowell George, who'd died shortly before. How sweet that twenty-five years later Jackson can be heard singing backup on Inara's beautiful song, "A Day." This is one of those records that hardly anyone will ever hear, and it is such a shame. If you are reading this, go for it. You won't be sorry.

Inara George is quite the butterfly. I have been a fan of hers through the years, and this is her best work yet! Inara's voice is soothing, mesmerizing, and the lyric and music intellegent and captivating. Love it love it love it!! What's next...

Inara's solo album is a perfect blend subtle melodies and strong lyrics.
I have listened to the album over and over without hesitation.
It is refreshing to find a female artist who relies on her musical strength,
of which she has an abundance.
I recommend this timeless album to music lovers of all ages-
you will not be disappointed.