Customer Reviews

Everything Changed (Bonus Dvd)

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What can you write about an album that breaks your heart and lifts it up at the same time? I had never heard of Abra Moore before I bought this CD. I took a chance after hearing "I Do" off a sampler CD from PASTE magazine. If you've given up on the recording industry and don't think modern music has anything to offer, just listen to EVERYTHING CHANGED.

Abra Moore's voice is hard to categorize but if I had to: I'd say she sounds a bit like Victoria Williams and Billie Holiday with the intimacy and innocence of Karen Carpenter's voice thrown in. The truth is, though, that Ms. Moore is foremost her own person. She writes her own lyrics, plays several instruments (including the drums) and isn't afraid to throw away the formulas of pop. (I read somewhere she was originally encouraged to be like Michelle Branch or one of Ms. Branch's many sound-a-likes; instead of going that route, she revamped the album she was working on and came out with one of the most dreamlike, heartwrenching CDs you will ever hear.)

The opening track "I Do" is a lush, positive song and gives comfort to those lonely feelings you get late at night. From the beginning notes to the lovely bridge, this song takes off and flies. No words can capture its beauty.

"No Fear," "Taking Chances" and "Melancholy Love" all have a slight edge to them which provides relative ease from the more heart-breaking moments on the album. These are the more happy, in-control songs.

"Family Affair" and "Pull Away" are perhaps the best songs I've heard on any album in the past ten years. They pull at your heart and won't let go and if you've just been going through some issues of your own, you better reach for those tissues. I dare you to listen to: "Don't take away the one love that matters./And I'll get well, you'll see. You're all I have, you're my family." and not lose it. It's not just the words, it's the way she exposes her whole self on the album, the way the simple lushness of the music reminds you of the days when harmony really MATTERED in a song.

I can only wonder if I'll ever hear an album this good again.

Welcome back, Abra! After a six-year departure from music scene, every indie pop/folk/rock lover's favorite unknown artist has returned ... and what a return EVERYTHING CHANGED is.

Abra's newest album shows her in true, rare form and marks her return to the type of folk/pop music that influenced the latest influx of pseudo-indie teenage singer/songwriters. She uses electronic arrangements and unusual instruments (French horns, anyone?) to showcase her ethereal, gossamer vocals and simple, beautiful lyrics. These arrangements never overpower Abra's piano work or vocals; instead, they allow them to become the album's splendid centerpiece.

Every song on EVERYTHING CHANGED offers a marvelously candid, frank view of romantic and familial relationships. The album's emotional highlights include "Family Affair" and "Paint on Your Wings," two stunning songs that Abra wrote just after her father's death. "Big Sky" and "Taking Chances" are a pair of intelligent pop smash hits waiting to top the music charts. "Pull Away" and "I Win" detail the emotional aftermath of a messy breakup. "Shining Star" proves to be a soothing yet stately finale to an amazingly simplistic, beautiful record.

I feel this CD is just as delicious as eating a favorite delicacy you just can't get enough of. My first Abra purchase I do admit, all I knew of her was the 'Four Leaf Clover' hit a while back. But after listening to the first couple of tracks in a local Barnes & Noble, I knew I had to have it! Her voice is unusual, making listening more interesting. A must have for those whose taste for music is eclectic and beautiful.

One of popular music's best kept secrets, Abra Moore is a singer/songwriter whose formidable talent still outweighs her moderate level of success 10 years on from her brilliant solo debut 'Sing'.

Judging by her new album 'Everything Changed' she's been through alot in the intervening years, both personally and professionally, with lyrics touching on love, loss and the breakdown of relationships. Far from being depressing though, 'Everything Changed' is ultimately beautiful and uplifting.

Once again with Abra it all just clicks for me, her delicate voice and turn of phrase seem to slip past my defences with consumate ease. This collection runs the gamut of emotions from 'Big Sky's' blissful optimism to 'The Ends' heartache and despair. Along the way she gracefully deals with the death of her father in 'Paint On Your Wings' and 'Family Affair' while engaging the listener with poignant, bittersweet lyrics and melodies, such as those in the hypnotic 'Melancholy Love' or stormy 'I Win'.

Truly, this is a landmark album, not only for Abra but for popular music as a whole. Very few artists reach the heights of beauty, intensity and honesty that Abra has here.

An aside: I'd urge anyone that has enjoyed 'Everything Changed' to seek out her debut 'Sing' - it's the purest distillation of Abra's talent and stacked with great songs. Also, for a similar feel as Abra, try Gemma Hayes' 'Night On My Side' or Jane Siberry's 'When I Was A Boy', both are excellent.

This is the long awaited album from this Grammy nominated pop/folk princess--with the childlike-womanly voice that never fails to entrance.

Every song is great both lyrically and musically. All are Abra written except the second half of SHINING STAR which is a cover of I'M NOT IN LOVE (by 10cc): "I'm not in love so don't forget it. It's just a silly phase I'm going through." I'M NOT IN LOVE was appended on to underscore the "I've moved on" message of SHINING STAR.

BIG SKY is the upbeat rocker and first single. It's also the best song to start a plane trip by: "6 o'clock we'll be taking flight....So high...just you and me and the big sky It's all we are...It's all we are It's all forever." Uplifting and energizing. An unintended benefit is that it should help neutralize some people's fear of flying. Like every song on the album, will probably find itself on movie and tv soundtracks.

SHINING STAR embodies the letting go essence of forgiveness in its repeated "shining.....shining...shining" which she radiates to an old flame who hurt her deeply. May elevate Abra to sainthood as it transforms its audience. Made me cry the first time I heard it--live in 2002.

NO FEAR was the title of her unreleased album for J Records. It's the first Abra song with horns backing. Shows her love of the jazz era--and sounds like a pop-jazz fusion. "Come on in now...Come in out of the crowd...Stay awhile won't you....Stay here in front of me. Take your chances on what could be....Feel no fear." One of Abra's favorites.

PAINT ON YOUR WINGS is the stunning tribute to her father who died after a long painfull illness. Slow raw emotion with acoustic guitar only "Paint on your wings It's time to fly...You're finally going to know what's on the other side." Will probably find itself on tv and film sountracks as background for the death of a father.

PULL AWAY is the most beautiful expression of longing I've ever heard. Slow, simple beauty not of this earth. Lyrically reminiscent of Carole King's classic WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME TOMORROW. PULL AWAY lyrics: "What will we do when the morning comes? When we say good-bye will we let go slow? How will it be in the future? Will we feel the same? Will we remember? Here comes that love again It just won't stop us so we try to be together. It's the love of a lifetime...tryin' to find the love we've got." (...)

I WIN and THE END are somber, melodic blues apparently expressing the break-up referred to in SHINING STAR. Good enough to Grammy in blues.

EVERYTHING CHANGED was recorded at her sister's house with Abra's piano only background. Captures what she sounds like in her slower live songs. "Slow down Moving too fast. Nothing will last. Slow down" she reminds herself in this recent reflection on the move from J Records to her current label Koch.

MELANCHOLY LOVE has an exotic, mesmerizing uptempo bass beat. A look back at a youthful unconsumated romance: "I'll cry a river if I lay in your bed....We were runnin' wild and young....It was only just for fun wasn't it? Melancholy love."

I DO was written for a friend in the middle of a deep depression. "Every once in awhile something's got to bring you back....All the stars in the sky can't help you remember why Who could ever understand. But I do." Lovely melody expresses its prayerful affect.

IF YOU WANT poetically describes romantic misunderstandings "Sometimes signals get crossed and love gets lost...But if you want me to I'll turn back around and forget the whole deal....I've fallen in love with you and it just burns..." Another heavenly melody.

TAKING CHANCES was voted one of the most memorable musical moments on Dawson's Creek--with good reason. This is vintage, slower Abra--with poetic lyrics that stand on their own: "I'm taking chances I wear my heart on my sleeve I'm walking backwards into the future This world is getting too deep." Her long-time producer and former lead guitarist Mitch Watkins produced and backs up vocally and instrumentally with usual great effect.

FAMILY AFFAIR was written for her step-mother when they were not getting along. "How do we begin to say 'I forgive you' How do we begin to repair this family affair"? Was on the soundtrack of Buffy The Vampire Slayer and will no doubt be on more. Could also be used effectively by psychologists, family therapists, and families. Like much of Abra's music--sweet and healing.

This album is one of my all time favorites and good enough for multi-Grammys. Let's hope radio plays it and Abra finally gets the recognition she deserves.

I'm ashamed to say, yet happy that it happened, that I discovered Abra Moore on the Cruel Intentions soundtrack and didn't think much of her. It took 5 years while owning that soundtrack to give in and see if she had any other works. And, to my luck and surprise, she had just released this cd (in addition to her former cd). I jumped at the purchase, and am in love with Abra Moore.

Abra's voice is one of the most unique I've heard. And with me, it satisfies. And what satisfies even more is to know she wrote 99% of every lyric you hear.

I would go through and review each and every song, but I'll save the space and just say each song is equal in likeness, although different in tone and feeling. Falling in love? Listen. Scared of falling in love? Listen. Falling out of love? Listen. Want to fall in love? Listen. Experiencing anything to do with love? Abra Moore is here to make you feel better about it and yourself.

I love this album with a passion that one would have for its favorite pillow or piece of jewelry. Its a precious work of art and I think it was beautifully crafted and perfected to be something very emotional grasping and captivating towards the listener. The highlights of this album are "Pull Away", "Paint On Your Wings", "No Fear", and "Family Affair". Her voice itself is so versatile going from easy flowing pop-synch vocals to a heavier huskier, more powerful romp (as on the beautiful Family Affair). There are no more words to describe this albums beauty.

Abra Moore has been one of my favourite artists for YEARS. I remember reading an article on her back when 'Sing' first came out and picking up her album. I was a Junior in high school and her voice and lyrics moved me and I would just play it over and over while forcing my way through Math and Science homework. Her voice was always a soothing addition to an otherwise tedious process of doing homework on subjects I knew I would never need. One thing I always knew was that I did need her voice. Abra has the soft and peaceful voice of an angel. When I hear her voice I'm already in a great mood and it puts me in a better one. Either that or I'm stressed or depressed and she calms my nerves.
This brings me to her new album, Everything Changed. I'm so sick of the crap that has gone on with some of my favourite artists and major labels (...) and I really was wondering if I'd ever hear from Abra again. I was overjoyed when I saw a release date for No Fear, her unreleased album from JRecords. I went to Tower Records on Monday night at midnight all 3 times that it was due to be released and nothing. I picked up a copy of it on [a store] so I'd already heard many of the songs on Everything Changed.
'I Do' should be big at radio. As should 'Shining Star'. In fact, my computer tracks the top 25 songs I've listened to the most since I bought it and 8 of them appear on Everything Changed. Shining Star is #1 followed by Someone Else's Mess, Trip on Love, etc. (...)

I sat under headphones for this one, while working on another project, and I am surprised by the number of times I stopped what I was doing, just to sit back, "[rock] my head," and really listen... and then go back to work without skipping a beat.

Really raw (on track 9, the sound of Abra clearing her throat is audible), this is a refreshingly simple and endearing work: mostly positive, often acoustic, and it sounds to me like either the most songs were recorded "live" in the studio or, the tracks were done in one fell swoop - no overdubbing, no vocal track on its own - you can hear in Abra's breath that she's strumming her guitar.

I first heard Abra Moore solo on the KGSR Broadcast Volume 5 back in '97, and found her quirky vocal sound to fit in quite nicely with her music, a natural and comfortable progression from Poi Dog Pondering. After subsequent appearances on Broadcasts CDs, I finally bought this CD and was delighted that her recorded stints are much like those beautiful, live tracks.

The non-acoustic songs are dreamy and engagingly rhythmic, if slightly louder. Complex and distinct layers swirl around, pulling you in to sing along with the chorus, when you realize it's a disco beat you're tapping to. "Big Sky" evoked thoughts of the Breeders' "Last Splash" album.

For those who've never heard Abra Moore, the artist (at least on this album) could be described as a Cocteau Twins-sounding Edie Brickell with less story-telling and more introspection. And more dynamism.

Mixed almost perfectly, the tracks on "Everything's Changed" are crisp and fresh. Horns, keyboards, marching-band drum, strumming acoustic guitar, and piano balanced throughout the opening track, "I do," - a beautiful declaration of love not, as the title would suggest, about a wedding or marriage; rather a plea for someone who most needs lifting to see, that, while it may not seem like anyone cares, "I do." You can just feel that sigh of relief.

¡Open your Heart¡ What a gift Abra is. Her true authenticity made her stop J record`s remarkable No Fear to sign with Koch to be loyal to her purest essence. Everything changed is Abra at her fullest expression. This sublime cocktail of songs show her unique talent, freshness, and sensibility.Abra's voice shines with an emotional depth that delights and overwhelms. Impressive work. All the songs are glorious. Yes, Yes, Yes. Thank you Abra.