Firefly

Rachel Loshak | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 16, 2001)
• Original Release Date: June 9, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Apple Blossom Records
• ASIN: B00005KJDD
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #563,313 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #78 in Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > Alternative Pop

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

There must be magic apples in Suffolk, England. Carried in shiny

silver baskets, plucked by fairies who fly quietly from tree to tree in the orchard at night, illuminated only by an audience of fireflies. The fairies stop and hover for a moment as the trees begin to shake. There is a deep rhythmic vibration pulsing through the earth and some are frightened at first. But they soon recognize the voice that is soaring angelically above the trees in hypnotic waves of classical melody. One by one, the fairies rise up and fly to the foot of the dark hill where she is standing and empty the contents of their baskets at the feet of their queen.

This is a Rachel Loshak concert. The juxtaposition of dark, duo-toned bass figures and crystal voiced melody. Hypnotized and faithful audiences stand at attention. Rachel moved to New York City in late 1995 from Suffolk, England and honed her songwriting craft with her unique ‘bass and voice’ style. Now tastefully centered by the bubbling, swelling, serpentine electric guitar work of Jason Crigler, each performance crackles with originality and sonic sublimity

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely songwriting and fabulous arrangements., March 24, 2002

By 

D. Mok (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Firefly (Audio CD)

Rachel Loshak shows that if your songwriting is up to par, you don't need oodles of weird effects to grab the listener. Firefly has all the wide-eyed wonder of fireflies in your tent on a spring night, or a slowly floating carousel ride, all naive beauty and understated optimism.

Loshak's voice is a seductive one, soft and winning but never too sugary, her terrific sense of melody ensures you're never bored, and her song structures are fluid and engaging. She never stays on a verse for too long (such a common sin among songwriters these days). "China Doll"'s lovely melodies, ethereal harmonies and brooding mood combine to make a classic pop song; "Don't Wait" is a rich country-ish ballad; "Something Inside" is a dancing, spritely tw-minute gem with a childlike vocal, a bouncy bassline and surprising instrumental flourishes; "Fire" is an achingly romantic song, Loshak's breathy high-register voice slowly tugging at the heartstring while her rumbling bass provides an earthy contrast; "Won't You Love Me"'s fleet-footed melodies latch right onto your ears; and "Beautiful Night"'s Eastern-sounding bassline (doubled on guitar) and haunting keyboards evoke the midnight heebie-jeebies uncannily.

Only one small problem for me. This is a very bass-heavy album. A mite too much bottom end, perhaps -- which actually works well with the dreamy, bright-eyed moods Loshak aims to create. However, use it as background music and you might be charmed into blissful bubble-bath slumber (especially if you go as far as the mischievous hidden 12th track). And my home stereo couldn't handle the rumbling low end and buzzed like flights of angry flies. But with the quality of the songwriting and that beautiful voice, I'd dust off my CD walkman anytime.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars mesmorizing, November 6, 2002

By 

cindy l (marlboro, ny United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Firefly (Audio CD)

I saw Rachel in concert and was mesemorized. The combination of her lyrics, vocals and the hypnotic guitar work of Jason Crigler were astounding. This is a fairy treasure!