Customer Reviews

Blink the Brightest

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Well, this album is certainly a little less aggressive in it's tone and that's not neccessarily a bad thing, though in this case it might turn out that that's the special something that made her first two albums impressive and engaging efforts. I think a lot of the songs on this album are very good and Tracy's song-writing ability has certainly matured. Still the songs don't tend to "soar" or "rage" or tend to "bare it all raw" like her past efforts. (Think "Kisses harder than me, Mother Mother, The One", etc)

There's just a little bit of an edge that I miss - at least after my first few listens.....instead of the aggressive or raw nature of her first two efforts, this album feels a bit more contemplative, meloncholy and introspective. All in all I'm pleased with the effort and I like what I hear, I just think some of the elements noted above that made Tracy special are not quite as ubiquotous as they were in her past efforts.

Still, losing the rage and rawness of one's youth is to be expected and one can only harness such a muse for a brief time so it's not wholly unexpected that she mature into the songwriter that shows up on this album.

I feel this has been a largely negative review and that's not really what I wanted to convey. Basically, I like the album a lot, it will probably grow on me even more on repeat listens and by and large it's an excellent effort.

HOOORAY!! Finally a new TB release. After listening, I was a bit surprised...the girl has grown up, matured, but has managed to keep her signature sound. For a little on my favorite tracks, read on:

The opening track, Something Beautiful, is just that. Great vocals, great guitar, great everything. What a pleasing opener. Eyes has a very catchy melody and is a well done near-ballad. Dumbo Sun is awesome! A fun tune with fun lyrics. Shine is my second favorite on the disc. I love the inspirational lyrics and smokin' melody. Shine has the best chorus of any song.

Bottom Line: TB fans, this is a must buy. You won't be disappointed, in fact, probably very pleased with her mature sound. You can still hear some of the early Bonham influences here, but they are refined and polished. Thanks for the music, Tracy!

Tracy Bonham's first two albums are quite good but they couldn't prepare me for how astonishing "Blink the Brightest" is. Where do I start? The following are my very favorite tracks- the title of "Something Beautiful" speaks for itself. The soaring "Eyes" is so filled with great hooks it's almost too good to be true. "Take Your Love Out on Me" has wonderfully witty lyrics along with a sweet melody and that exceptionally imaginative violin playing that is a signature of Tracy's sound. The arrangement of "Dumbo Sun" sounds like Tracy getting in touch with her inner Fiona Apple with comically nostalgic lyrics confirming that "I miss those days more than a little". I sure can relate to that one. "Shine" shimmers like the perfect soundtrack for summertime- just gorgeous! The assured "Naked" and "Wilting Flower" (with its summery refrain "Loves me anyway, loves me anyway, loves me anyway" evoking a girl plucking a daisy with her litany of "He loves me, he loves me not") are like intimate gifts. It's good to see that a bit of Tracy's angst has mellowed with maturity and is now more tempered with humor, albeit dark humor! "Blink the Brightest" ends with the sublime "Did I Sleep Through It All?" Not on this CD, she hasn't! So why isn't this woman immensely successful? Do your ears a huge favor and pick this essential Tracy Bonham album up. If you like a bit more angst and 'rawk' get her first two albums as well. Her debut album is titled "The Burdens of Being Upright" followed by "Down Here".

Tracy Bonham made her name in 1996 with "Mother Mother," her wry phone home after leaving the nest. The alternately acoustic and punkish rock Burdens of Being Upright was just as wry throughout, making as much of a trademark of Bonham's peculiar twists of phrase and witty titles than the unusual addition of her electric violin to the blend.

It has been ten years since "Mother Mother," and aside from a mostly-ignored second release in 2000 and a guest spot on a Blue Man Group album and subsequent tour, I was beginning to wonder if Tracy Bonham was gone for good. Had VH1 claimed another one hit wonder for its retrospective glances at the 90s?

As it turns out, not at all. On Blink the Brightest Tracy ditches the crashing rock crescendos but keeps the scathing wit, and adds some of the best hooks of her career. The result is a disc that is disarmingly pretty and predictably witty, if almost alarming mature.

Opener "Something Beautiful" is the sort of pop song that should be taught to aspiring musicians - downtempo, but still a head-nodder due to its simply beautiful arrangement. Every line of the song is a monster-sized hook, especially when Tracy trades in her "Mother Mother" scream for a gentle soprano to glide into its chorus.

On a first pass some of Bonham's lyrics lie a little flat, but often it's just because their theme isn't always immediately obvious. Especially after "Something Beautiful," a few of the early tracks seem a little artless or sparse on sense, but even a trio of listens will reveal each track has its requisite depth to be appreciated. Particularly, "Dumbo Sun" sounds Aimee Mannish with its steady throb of B3 organ (blooming into slightly incongruous bluesy piano later in the song), but its lyrics take a touch of untangling before they hit home.

Though her vocal range seems slightly expanded and surer, Bonham's edgy deadpan delivery is as on the mark as ever. For a sample, try "Eyes," its thumping acoustic guitar recalling her first album as well as newer unplugged rockers like Green Day's "Warning."

What might be her prettiest vocal to date is underscored by the simple piano chords of "Whether You Fall." Some of the melodic leaps and cadences lend the song an almost R&B-hit sheen, but without the eventual entrance of the other subtle instruments that seem to be foreshadowed (think Aguilera's "Beautiful") it's a little too plain-jane for its own good - like an early demo of an eventually huge hit.

"All Thumbs" and "Naked" are two more surely crafted hits, both so unassumingly catchy that they seems destined to underscore scenes on television dramas. Still, the Bonham oddness shines through on the bridge of "Naked" with a swirling bed of slightly clashing violins. "Did I Sleep Through It All" makes for a pretty closer that could easily serve an act three lament in a Sleeping Beauty revival if not for the peculiar lyrics about getting drunk at Sunday School parties.

Blink The Brightest is catchy, though perhaps a little too familiarly derivative of other cloying melodies to cement itself as all-time classic. However, what it may lack in being memorable it makes up for in being a joy to listen to (often repeatedly) - not only proof that Tracy hasn't fallen off the map, but that she is as catchy and charmingly off-beat as ever.

Tracy Bonham is back and even better than before. This album shows maturity in her lyriks and sound. She lost the angry woman vibe that made her famous in the Burden of being upright, but this sound is even better. Blink the Brightest will be a classic in the indie alternative music worl and is Tracy's best work.

There are a select few musicians that as a music lover (and choreographer) I am truly devoted to. Meaning, I buy all their albums and see them live whenever I can. Tracy Bonham is one of them. She is a true music artist. With amazing songs like "All Thumbs," "And the World Has the Nerve to Keep Turning," "Shine," and "Something Beautiful" this album has quickly become one of my favorites. It's only fault, and a minor one at that, is the song "Eyes." Besides sounding like a bad pickup line, I feel as though this song was directed to a pop audience and is trying to find a mainstream groove. But if that's what it takes to get Tracy out to a wider audience then so be it. She's great! I wish she came and played in my area more often. Also, her violin is overpowered or missing from several songs. One of my favorite things about her is that she also plays violin and can sing a rock song while playing a classical instrument. It makes for a nice blending of the genres. If your questioning whether or not to buy this album, stop questioning yourself and buy it!

The moment the music starts it is recognizably Tracy but not redundantly so. But then she starts to sing - with the first sound of her voice I was mezmerized. It's been too long since her last project, cuz hearing her voice was like hearing an old lover that you never meant to say good bye to. Gloriously gutsy - insightful - musically enthralling - self searching - powerful - ballsy as usual. I can't say enough about this project. I'm wearing it out. I better buy another copy cuz this one won't last at the rate I'm playing it.

After giving this disc a few spins, I'm happy to say this is a solid release. I can count on one hand how many discs I own by female singers, and I was hoping that this one wouldn't disappoint. And it doesn't, for the most part. There are at least four songs on this disc that are single-worthy in my opinion, and I love the sharp lyrics, which are made easy to decipher in the included liner notes. The second track is my favorite, as it sounds like it belongs on a thriller-type movie soundtrack, but there's vocals! Recommended, especially if you liked the first two releases.

I am not familiar with her last two records outside of that Mother Mother song that came and and basically got on my nerves. So what drove me to buy this one after 14 years later? uh.... i dunno! I do recall her being quite talented and since I found out she had a new record, I checked it out! So far, pretty damn good! This record has some great minor classical leanings which shouldn't surprise those who are familiar with her. The songs are all pretty different from one another which is really cool. There is a quirkiness to them like say Violet Femmes but not quite as neurotic. She is a great singer and i would agree with previous posts it does also have a meloncholy feel. It's also a slow affection. I didn't love it the first time I heard it but I kept pressing play after it ended... something drew me into it. I continued to think "I like that track" more and more. And well... here I am. Its alot better than that Nasal Furtado crap or the angry On the rag 24/7 chic bands out there on the air. I wish tracy the best and hope she is remembered for more than "mother, mother". Though I'll be honest, track 8 has the same verse rhythm/structure too similar to ignore as the Alanis Morissette track off the City of Angels soundtrack. Very minor annoyance that kept me from 5 stars. but hey... this record still rocks.

There's no doubt I'm supposed to not love Blink The Brightest as much as I do, but I love Blink The Brightest. Its songs have been there at the right moments the past few years, they're conventional, they're exactly the type of songs a former Lillith artist is supposed to record after a love affair and marriage gone sour, they're occasionally leaden with cliches, and it just doesn't matter - I still love them. Beginning with "Something Beautiful," Blink The Brightest establishes its longing, as well as its undeniable reliance on the type of formless wanderlust women in the 90's have been falling back on for a decade or more - but it's also a wonderful pop song, brimming with passion and charm. With "I Was Born Without You," Bonham's sly humor and propulsive baritone remind you of her personality, and from there, not a song lags - not "Whether You Fall," the soft ballad of "whether you fall/ means nothing at all/ it's whether you get up" platitudes, not "All Thumbs," the bombastic breakup ballad, not even "Wilting Flower," which should be an embarassing art-feminist ballet of awkward "look aways." It all works, without a bad song there, and charming with its sweetness and with Bonham's undeniable passion in even the generic moments. And that only elevates the best songs to dimensions you REALLY weren't expecting - I'm thinking of "Take Your Love Out On Me," full of desire and sensuality, or "Did I Sleep Through It All," which is more wry, cynical, philosophical, mournful, fun, and lovely in 3 minutes than all her previous career combined. All of that makes me think even her sorta-famous work in the 90's was a precursor for Blink The Brightest, which probably has earned 1/10th of that already small audience - too bad, any of her contemporaries, famous or sorta-famous, would be proud to make an album of this much true feeling.