4.0 out of 5 stars
Not trendy, just surprisingly good, April 16, 2008
The sweetly emotional title-track that opens up Bristow's set is not the Van Morrison staple. But the positive expectations it induces do not go unfulfilled.
There's no paradigm shift in what the LA-based New Zealander is writing and singing. Rather, hers is a consistent and well-voiced set of originals supported by a fine roster of musicians. Leading the players are electric guitarists Mark Punch (a Renee Geyer sideman) and Tim Pierce.
"Driving on the freeway," begins one song, "singing to the radio." Whereas the artist's publicity sheet says her own music was play-listed across thousands of Starbucks stores. It would, I hope, appeal to other demographics too.
From materials that outwardly look unremarkable, Bristow coins neat and memorable songs. Apart from "Crazy Love", other standouts are "The World's Turning", "Innocence" and "Broken Record". "I've tasted love and fire from above," Bristow regrets, "and nothing ever came near." The session team intuits the mood, amplifies it, and retreats while the going's good. (Canberra Times, April 2008)
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