Customer Reviews

Cheap & Evil Girl

5 star:		(97)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is one of my favorite albums. Bree Sharp has a unique sound and incorporates into her vocals a gritty sense of realism and truth. While I and many others came to know Sharp through her somewhat novelty song "David Duchovny," the power and edginess of her song-writing skills and the remarkable emotional content of her music became apparent as soon as I first listened to this album.

She sings of hope and unrequited love in "David Duchovny" and "Smitten," while "Not Your Girl" deals with the pain of being quietly rejected for another woman. "Walk Away" is about the inability of a person to walk away from someone whom you know is a danger to your long-term happiness. "Fallen" is a touching ballad which asks the question why everyone doesn't have what they need and how this fact can affect one's faith. In "A Cheap and Evil Girl," Bree indulges in a fantasy of the bad girl hidden inside her psyche being released and getting what she wants. While "Fools' Gold" warns us about pursuing the goals others set for us, the message of "Faster, Faster" is that we must continue moving on despite our mistakes and realize that each individual is responsible for his/her own actions. The risk of dying spiritually inside is dealt with most poignantly in "Show Me," a song in which Sharp asks for help in breaking out from self-imprisonment and finding the way to her own heart.

There is much substance to be found here on Bree Sharp's debut album. At just under 38 minutes in length, it is somewhat short, but each song is of 5 star quality. From slow and wistful to uptempo and brash, Sharp proves herself a natural performer who infuses meaning, insight, and craftsmanship into both the music industry and pop culture itself.

Like most people, I was drawn to buy this disc just to get my hands on the song "David Duchovny". Much to my surprise, the album is filled with great folk-rock tracks and some are even superior to the already mentioned hit. Bree Sharp's style is classic in the sense that it neither seems old nor new, just great. You don't tire of her voice, and it's just an all-round fun album. If the only song you've heard is David Duchovny, don't be afraid to buy the CD and enjoy the rest of it. It is well worth it!

Bree Sharp's Cheap and Evil Girl is undoubtedly the best new CD I've heard in years. It is one of the few albums I own on which every song is good or great. (And I was singing along after just a few hours of listening!) The last time I had this experience with a collection was when I first heard Alanis. But I don't mean to comapre her to Alanis, for she definitely has her own sound and character! For my money, she's even better. I was interested in hearing the song "David Duchovny," which is excellent, when I took the time to listen to the other song samples. They were all at least as good, and I immediately bought Cheap and Evil Girl. God, it's good. If the song "Fallen" doesn't make you cry, you're made of stone! And the "Smitten" refrain will stick with you all day. Its a definite sing in the shower number.I would definitely reccommend this CD to anyone, and as a matter of fact I do! Please, everyone, buy this so that she achieves the fame she so richly deserves. You won't regret it.

I heard the David Duchovny song about twice before I bought the CD. I was a bit hesitant at first, because when you don't know more than one of an artist's songs, you never know how good it is going to be. Well, I was very pleasantly surprised with Bree Sharp. She is one young woman who can be a role model and an inspiration for the rest of our generation. I would love to be a professional musician, and if I was, I would want to be compared to such greats as Sarah McLachlan, Tori Amos, Jewel, and now, Bree Sharp. All of the songs are great-they are not over-produced, not to mention Bree's writing ability; not only her lyrics, but the music itself that leaves you with a "warm fuzzy" feeling and also makes you want to listen to it over and over and over and over..... My personal favorite is "Show Me". It is just an amazingly poetic, beautiful song. If you appreciate good quality music, you should buy this CD ASAP.

Like most who sampled this, I was hooked by the askew pop tribute to X-files star David Duchovny. The ephemeral nature of pop icons probably tends to make people overlook this album as an artifact of the past decade, but that's writing Sharp off too easily. Lyrics claiming the TV spookchaser is the "American Heathcliff" and the stalkerish menace of the fadeout "I'll be waiting in Nevada" hint at the abilities Bree possesses. A listen to the album reveals an awful lot for your about $5 used.

HIGHLIGHTS:
"America" simultaneously castigates ("sit back, relax, enjoy the war from your living room") and celebrates ("All I know is my lonely soul and the remote control") consumerism and apathy, while "Fallen" addresses the issues of poverty and suffering viewed through the lens of a little girl's eyes, perhaps Bree's own? ("Why doesn't everyone have what they need? Where are the angels?"). While "Fallen" may be the album's strongest song, loose male harmony vocals keep the chorus from being what it could be. "Cheap and Evil Girl" puts Bree in the shoes of a femme fatale who toys with boys AND the law ("The dumb gumshoe making his rounds, shaking all the wrong girls down").

LOWS:
Probably the only completely lackluster tracks on this one for me are "Show Me" which seems out of place as it careens between angsty rock and formulaic pop..and "Fool's Gold" which is a by the numbers disillusionment tale.

BOTTOM LINE:
Better than the bargain bins you find her in...think of her as Sheryl Crow with more snarl and better lyrics in general. I'll be looking for a copy of Sharp's followup "More B.S." now...

3 1/2 stars

This is truly one of the more memorable CD's I've ever listened to. Bree's music is completely original and every track is as good as the previous one. "David Duchovny" isn't even her best song. Bree's music ranges from slower to some serious rockin' tunes. "Walk Away," "Not Your Girl" and "Faster, Faster" are incredibly fun to listen to and sing along with.

'Music Fan in NY' is confused. They listened once and threw it to the bottom of their CD pile? Most serious music fans know that to appreciate a new CD you need to listen to it completely multiple times. I'm so hooked I can't wait for her next release! If you're tired of the typical Top 40 c***, buy this one!

Bree Sharp's debut album, "Cheap and Evil Girl" is a standout album. I came across the album while working at a books and music store. Her voice quavers and is unsure at times, but as an inexperienced singer or actor in a musical suddenly gains confidence midway through the opening act - Bree shines undoubtedly.
"America" is a great theme song, very honest and sincere, and yet a little funny too. Partially because the song is so honest about the lifestyle and quirks of Americans: for example, "Pay no more attention to things that you stand for, sit back, relax, enjoy the war - from your living room" - I have to laugh because we are exactly as she states. It is funny to think about these observations.
All her songs have merit - some are more sophisticated than others, but I enjoy the coffee-house, hippie-chick folk that Bree projects in this album. She is a winner and a star that shines bright in her debut. Kudos.

Bree Sharp, whetever her real name, has put together one of those early eye-opener albums that distinguishes future stars from old-time also-runs. I compare her debut album to Sinead O'Connor's Lion and the Cobra, a real revelation at the time. Bree's honest, playfully rugged, sexy voice always sounds fresh, her CD is an intensive, joyful roller-coaster ride. I bought the CD in the US in 2000 and can't wait for the next one to come out. Then again, quality takes time...

Ever since I bought this album it has been my favorite CD, it basically lives in my stereo. The lyrics are brilliant and Sharp's voice is amazing, this is one of the few CD's out there that you can listen beginning to end and over again without skipping a single track. It ranges from fast to slow, from serious to fun, and everything in between. My favorites are Faster Faster, Not Your Girl, and of course David Duchovny. If you like any kind of music you'll like this. If you're considering buying this, definetely make this the next CD you add to your collection.

I really love this entire album. I had never heard of her before when she came to my former place of employment to sing. I was totally blown away from the first line of "America" to the last line of "David Duchovny". I received an autographed copy and got to speak with her for a few minutes. She's just a very talented songwriter and singer. I know that she'll be huge!