Customer Reviews

Brave Bird

5 star:		(79)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

"Amel Who?" "Brave what?" "Who That?" These are the most common phrases I hear when mentioning Amel Larrieux's sophomore album "Bravebird". It's musical-injustice when an artist with so much talent gets ignored, settling for the title of "underrated-artist". On this album, instead of just the lone R&B/Soul/Jazz, Amel Larrieux this time around explores unconventional and different sounds, the result being a hybrid of innovation & beauty. Amongst the standout tracks is the Alanis Morissette "Hand In My Pocket"-esque "All I Got" in which Amel uses one line to contradict the next. In this song, Amel states she's not perfect but then depicts a message about acceptance of one's self:

Got these feet in these shoes
They walked a mile or two
Got these legs, they've done work
That's left them black and blue
Got these hips, they are wide
But they know how to move
Got these hands to lift the weak
And smack down a racist fool

...Got these pockets, they ain't full-grown
But I won't steal from no one
Got this heart, well it's been broke
But it's still beating strong...

Other standout tracks include the slap-back flow of "For Real", the aching-heart ballad "Beyond", the mellow-disco flavored "Bravebird", the high-pitched trumpet assisted "Say You Want It All", and the yearning for redemption in "We Can Be New". But above it all, my favorite track on the album is "Congo", with its hypnotic vocals and hook, addictive beat, and conscious lyrics about the Congo Square, it immediately appealed to me. The only problems I have with the album are minor; the beat to "Your Eyes" is rather too simplistic and very repetitive while "Sacred" tends to come off as "preachy". Other than that, this album is very consistent. The majority of the songs on the album are brilliantly written, very appealing and easy to listen to (the hip-hop flavored remix "All I Got2" will appeal to many people). Amel Larrieux proves once again that she is "beyond" the contemporaries.

I mean it -- don't waste your time on this CD. There ain't nothing typical, predictable or fluffy about Bravebird. And let's face it, that's what we really want, right? The instantly catchy tunes that take a backseat to the beats! And boy, we must admit, we love beats, don't we? Bravebird is, perhaps, like nothing you've ever heard before; it's really original in its sound and substance. And that's the root of the problem: its original sound and its substance. Apparently, Amel doesn't follow popular musical trends, doesn't rely on cliche-based lyrics, feels she doesn't need studio tricks and programmed beats. This girl clearly appreciates real music and musicianship -- and being over the age of 30, I can vaguely remember when such a thing actually got radio play. But not anymore. In this age of Usher, who needs real music, and life-changing lyrics, introspection, artistic integrity, real soul--and spirit? Yeah, Amel's surely gifted, has a great voice, exceptional even, but she wastes it singing about deeper, genuine, lasting and more meaningful things. She doesn't dedicate a single song to the subject of attaining material things (no bling-bling, Moet, furs, not even a token spinning rim on a boyfriend's ride!). She wastes no time musically exploring the well-worn R&B premise of shallow relationships and their related drama. Musically, Amel takes a higher road! And such a visionary approach is bound to cost her: stunted sales, limited or no play and exposure on most stations, people sleeping on her talents. Ashanti she ain't! Amel has chosen to do her own thing. So be warned! This cd contains real music. Real and true!

I have been a fan of Amel Larrieux since the Groove Theory days. Even then ,she had too much power to be pidgeonheld by the standards of R&B. This girl has the power to blur all genres of music and make it her own. To classfy her as neo is a insult. Her brand of music doesn't have a name yet. She is and always will be light years ahead of her time. I got Bravebird and all my peeps followed suit. And the ones who haven't gotten it, is in the process of getting it. Amel is the truth. The anti-Beyonce. So beautiful on the outside, with enough nerve and confidence in her art ,not to flaunt her outer beauty. I can't say enough about this album. This is the best in my collection and believe me, she is among a few gems.

My Favorite Tracks

Say You Want It All
Dear To Me
For Real
Bravebird
Congo
All I Got 1&2

damm you might as well say the whole album

To the reviewers who say she runs out of gas on a few notes.
Don't sleep, that's when her angelic voice is at it's most powerful. For any person who craves real music must have this album. She got a lot of lush hip-hop undertones on this album. The keen ear will pick up on them instantly.

Peace

Go ahead. Run and get the latest by Grammy winners Beyonce and Alicia Keys. If you want to blend in with the rest of the crowd, get any of their CDs. But if your tastebuds savor for something a little more complex, original, and refreshing, then you'll be in good hands with Amel Larrieux. "Bravebird, her second solo album, is a bold step forward from "Infinite Possibilities" and incorporates a wide range of genres that make it difficult to categorize the onetime Groove Theory singer. From the soulful swagger of the opener "For Real," to the killer piano-flavored ballad "Beyond," the gritty "Givin' Something Up," and the bass-heavy standout "Congo," Larrieux makes a great display of her talents as singer, songwriter, and producer. It's a shame that Sony parted ways from her after the disappointing sales of her last disc, "Infinite Possibilities," for they truly left behind a very talented artist. "Bravebird" is the first great album of 2004. You can't give this CD less than five stars and NOT look stupid.

This women blew me away with "Infinite Possiblities which is a 5 star cd no doubt about it. I gave this cd 4 stars for 2 reasons. First, I really don't like the way she "trys" (i hate to use that word but its the only word i could think of using right now) to always end SOME of the songs with her singing in high pitched vocals saying "OHHHHh". Second, i don't really the song Scared you people could argue on me on the one, but i don't like to hear her preach. I want to her her SING. Alright now that i got that off my cheat let me rate the following 12 tracks.....

1.) For Real - 5 stars - This song WOW!!! amazing her vocals are sky rocket beautiful and the lyrics amazing, great song to start off with Amel.

2.) Bravebird - 4 stars - I love the way how this song in the beginning you think "Oh God" shes going to do an uptempo jam. That wasn't the case the song has a more uptempo beat then others, but she keeps her vocals soft and nice.

3.) Dear To me - 4 stars - I love the lyrics to this song beautiful song.

4.) All I God - 5 stars - I really like this song....i love the way she really doesn't give a **** about what people think of how she looks or acts and so on...

5.) Beyond - 4 1/2 stars - Very slow relaxing listen to the lyrics of this song.

6.) We Can Be New - 5 Stars - This is one of my favorite songs on the album. Lyrics blow me away.... I think she is tellign a guy that whatever i went through and whatever you went through we could always become a new person.

7.) Givin Something up - 5 Stars - Another fav. song her voice sound a little different hear and i love it. The beat goes with the way shes singing i love this song. I also love the catchy chorus.

8.) Your Eyes - 4 Stars - Hot Hot!!!! Once again guys i know i repeat myself but the lyrics are amazing. She talks about an encounter with someone. As i mentioned above, the song is really 2:00 minutes long and the song ends at 3:30 but she wasted that whole minute not even singing but making voices and i dont like that.

9.) Congo - 5 Stars - I think this song is one of my fav. tracks....the catchy chorus is nice and most of the that sing song actually has history behind it.

10.) Sacred - 3 Stars - Don't Like it sorry i mean i dont like the way she is preaching....i rated it 3 stars and not 1 because what she is saying is true.

11.) Say You Want It All - 5 stars - This song is sick i love this song her vocals are tight.

12.) All I Got 2 - 5 stars - Same as track 4 but more uptempo hiphop type im really feeling it both versions are worth listening to. I like the way she took it underground hiphop on this track.

Fore the most part this is is 5 stars but i would rate it 4 1/2 stars if they had it for some little things i didn't like. This women is one of my favorite singers in Neo-Soul and this women has talent guys so go and get her cd.

I hope this was helpful. God bless 1

It has been a long wait, but Amel is back. For those of us that have had to spend the last few years getting our Amel fixes from her collaborations with Soulive, the Roots, and Guru, Bravebird shows us that the wait was worthwhile. Credit the independent label route for allowing her to craft a perfectly complete album. Each song is a gem, revealing strong production and a rich blend of Amel's hip-hop, soul, jazz, and folk roots. Couple that with her clear, perfectly timed, Ella-inspired runs, and political messages that are more life-affirming than caustic, Bravebird is a lovely effort from one of the most beautiful voices in soul music.

For those looking for bass-heavy jams reminiscent of her Groove Theory days, check out `Dear to Me,' `We Could Be New,' and `Say That You Want It All.'

What a talent. It appears that the world doesn't know who she is. I have been a fan of Amel Larrieux since Groove Theory. They did not get the respect they deserved and now that Amel is on her own she is not being looked at. WAKE UP PEOPLE! I wish her music was more supported. The music, lyrics and messages are beautiful. I love Amel! It's a shame that with all of the reviews we have posted about her and this cd, only people who know her name will ever read them on Amazon. I wonder if we could somehow get it out to the buyers that this is a cd worth buying. I cannot say enough about this woman. There is alot of overlooked talent in this music industry. What a shame!

I just got the album in the mail. Its worth every penny I paid for it. I am feeling it alot. I never compare artists albums too much anymore because you never know whats going on with the artists when writing and recording. Infinite Possibilities had its own vibe to it, and Bravebird has its own vibe. Only thing I can noticed between the albums is that Bravebird has faster pace production then IP. Both albums are positive and spiritual which makes the listener feel good.

My only complaint is they could of added "Believe in love" as a bonus or something, other then that a solid release and cant wait for the next LP. I hope we get more music from Amel on a more frequent basis since she is pushing the albums idependently now. So I hope everybody supports the album by buying it.

Anyway you guys should check her site out at www.blisslife.com

Amel Larrieux is in my opinion the most underrated artist in this industry today. "Bravebird" shows Amel as aware and honest. This is the ideal album for Amel fans or neo-soul lovers. Don't sleep on this acheivement!

Song Highlights: We Can Be New, Beyond, Dear To Me, All I Got

...The only way to know if you will really like it or not is to buy it. As for me, I had no doubts about the cd, I went out and got it, and I loved it!!...I am still loving it. Amel had proven her vocal abilities back in the nineties during her time with Groove Theory; She had given testament after testament to her lyrical prowess and sensible "but not over my head" words. Infact,in her debut solo album, she had proven without a doubt that an artist doesn't have to be on the Billboa...whatever to be creative, eclective and simply a damn good artist. So none of this was a point of contention for me. What I wondered about was if she could outdo Infinite Possibilities in her Sophomore attempt. That's why I bought the cd. To my absolute delight, Bravebird blew my socks off right from the first listen. For Real, is a funky song that shouts "SINGLE". Amel's seductive lyrics and her enchanting voice, will make that tune a winner for anyone who hears it. Bravebird sounds a bit like a Time machine trip to the 80', but is actually brought to it's year with the sensible and somewhat serious lyrics. Then there's "Dear to me" a cool ballad that tells of genuine affection and devotion...the kinds of things we can all always use in this life....
my favorite songs in no particular order are:
"Dear to me"
"Bravebird"
"Congo"
"For Real"
"Say you want it"...which just might be the best crafted song on this cd. Starts out nice and funky like you would expect of any mellow r&b jam...then it suddenly progresses into this smooth jazz-infused soulful tune, with a touch of Michael Jackson styled wailings, but Amel really makes this all her own...
"Your Eyes" are a bit problematic...at least for me. The lyrics are sensual and a bit lustful...I get that. But the tender percussion and Amel's downright "sex me" voice come to an end much to quickly....another two minutes and...!!!
"We can be new" is a nice song. It's a gentle tune telling of commitment and renewal all in the same breath.
And this type of pleasant contradictions playfully permeate this cd. Amel shows that she is really developing her own personal style that...well, simply can't fit into any category. Anyone who calls her music r&b is "nearly" dead wrong. It isn't simply Neo soul (whatever that is, anyway), but it somehow manages to surpass soul with every track. Absolutely Amazing...is what it is!
So go get this cd, listen to it, and love it...but don't do it just because I say so...do it because you have doubts!