Customer Reviews

Blurring the Edges

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I loved the single "Bitch" when I heard it. Of course it seems that a lot of people do, but being my odd self I won't buy a recording until I hear at least 2 singles off of it that I like (or I already know the artist which I didn't). Then I saw the video for "What Would Happen" and I loved it. I went and got the recording the next day. I have been listening frequently since. Meredith seems like a very positive person, especially judging from the song "Pollyanne", a song about how you don't have to always be angry in life. She's not someone "pukey" or boring though, she's got that bit of sassy-ness to her. I'd have to say that my favorite song on the recording is "Wash My Hands". It always reminds me that I can't dwell how hard my life has been in the past and I just have to look forward to the future positively and even if it doesn't turn out that I will get past it. It really motivates me when times are rough. This recording is great to listen to if you're happy or sad, it's got all the moods in there!

I bought this CD for the awesome song "Bitch," but then I realized how great the other songs were. I am a huge ALANIS MORISSETTE fan and although some people say that MEREDITH is copying her, I think it's really more that they both sing the same type of music. Besides, no BSB/N'SYNC/98 DEGREES fans seem to care that they're all identical (not to mention CRAPPY!!!!) Although this isn't my favorite CD, it's definitely worthwhile. Buy it!

I mainly bought Meredith's CD for "Bitch," but came to enjoy the entire album quite immensely after just one listen! It's not just the catchy tunes she plays; her lyrics are also wonderful. She has a playful, optimistic charm about her, while still being able to sing about serious ideas and issues. Her song "Pollyanne" is one of my all-time favorites for the way in which Meredith basically thumbs her nose at all the angst-ridden, directionless "Gen-X'ers" of the '90s who should realize that life really ain't that bad, and that life is too short to be bitter all the time. There's a lot that makes life a pleasure to experience, and Meredith is able to put that idea across in her songs with brilliant lyrical ease! Her wonderful CD has made the perfect companion for all the traveling I do in my car, and Meredith, I thank you for creating such a delightful album! Here's to the next one! :)

You can compare Meredith to Alanis if you want, but the truth is that Meredith is a unique and brilliant artist. Her songs all have something to say. "Blurring the Edges" explores a wide variety of moods and feelings. Meredith plays all the guitar parts on this album, which is enough to make it worth your time and money. Meredith's voice is also very sexy and rough. I know you'll love it. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED IF YOU BUY "BLURRING THE EDGES!!!"

Okay, I just have to say this. People who think of Meredith as an Alanis-wannabe just need their heads examined. I think it's sad that people have to put labels on perfectly legitimate artists to try to tear them down. But, anyway .. that's not what this is about.

With that said, let's talk about 'Blurring the Edges'. I've had this CD for over a year now, and I never get tired of it. Meredith Brooks is all about straight-up in your face rock-n-roll laced with smart pop hooks. She doesn't feel the need to pretend to be a Gen-X'er with a chip on her shoulder just to sell records. What you get when you buy this record is an honest portrait of an honest woman. And she can play the HECK out of that guitar! Meredith is clearly having the time of her life here, and you can't help but crank it up and enjoy. I, for one, am anxiously awaiting her new album 'Deconstruction' as well.

*SIGH.* I didn't mention even that she's a solid writer all the way around.

Top cuts: "I Need", "Pollyanne", "Watched You Fall".

It's to bad that people feel the way they do about her one song named "Bitch"; It's great!!! Her expression of her life is the best within all her songs. Listen, try to look deeper then just one word that may offend you. Her CD is awesome, Buy it.

This is the first Meredith brooks album, she doesn't even admit to "see it through my eyes" (which was recorded earlier but released later against her wishes) on her website. This great album is reminiscent of early Heart, guitar based rock, thoughtfully honest lyrics, and if not a flawless voice, certainly one that is not hard to listen to. This album contains the most lusty song ever, "What would happen if we Kiss", made more impactful with disonnant sound in the background to set the feeling, "Mouth to mouth, lust to lust, spontainiously combust", Yow!. Very imaginative.

As part of my 90's nostalgia trip, I've been exploring some of the female Lilith Fair-era singers that came out from roughly 1997-1999. Some of these, such as Sarah McLachlan and in some cases, Jewel, have had success since this time. Others, such as Fiona Apple, Shawn Colvin, and Paula Cole, have faded away.

This leads us to Meredith Brooks. I first heard "Bitch" in late '97 or thereabouts. I was intrigued that someone was willing to push the envelope like that. I also remember the controversy and comparisons to Alanis Morissette the single brought as well. I later called up my local music store and asked them who the singer was. For the next decade or so, I forgot all about it.

Recently I brought the album at my local music store. The first thing I noticed after listening to the album was her voice; it's not that good and over the course of listening it gets annoying. It does work somewhat on "Bitch" and on other favorite songs, "Shatter" and "What Would Happen". As for the other songs, I found them generic, boring - and in some places - stupid. The worst offenders out of all of them were the songs "I Need" and "Somedays".

In short, all of the notoriety the single has earned in the years since can't save this album. Brooks offers nothing that separates her from her late 90's peers. She could have been something, but sadly the controversy and comparisons brought about by "Bitch" doomed her to being a one-hit wonder. Sad, but common.

Meredith Brooks unfortunately will be lumped into the group of "angry girls" with nothing to say. Sadly, this is far from what she actually achieves on "Blurring...". She shows her musical depth with eight or nine outstanding tracks that never tire. Many people only know Brooks for "bitch", but they never get to hear her other gems like "polyanne" and "somedays". Angst is Brooks' specialty, but she controls it well for her ballad of hypothetical love "What Would Happen." Brooks proves herself as a great songwriter on "Blurring..." This album far surpassed all my expectations, and unfortunatly many people take her sometimes simple lines as too simple. "Bitch" is not, as many people mistakenly think, about Brooks being a bitch. She uses the song to express the fact that she can be so many things as a woman and it shouldn't change how people view her. This cd rocks...don't pass it up. Don't miss "What Would Happen", it's a killer track hidden behind Brook's hard front

She is such a cool person knows exacly how she wants her cards delt in life and music