Customer Reviews

Glimmer

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is not only the way to describe a majority of the songs on the album, but the way some fans will feel about this new album. (For those of you who don't know Kim, start with her freshman or sophomore album.) While it's true she's traded in a lot of the country sound that sort of fringed her albums for some McClachanesque riffs, she retains her charm and emotion. Check out "Come Around," for instance. Pop? Yes, but Kim delivers it with the haunting atmosphere it deserves. "Strength in You" borders on what could be called driving country-rock, and "Gravity" is an amazing country-roots ballad once it grows on you.

On the other hand, country/Americana fans may balk at Kim's pop crossover. In some ways, it sounds a little typical of top-40. In other ways, it remains true to Kim's style. Though it didn't have the staying power of "Bitter Sweet" or her self-titled, "Glimmer" has found its way into my CD player again and again.

If this is what it takes to sell, bring it on, Kim. Just please don't become a Faith Hill or Leean Rimes.

*Not* for "pop-country" fans.

Kim Richey is, in my opinion, the best female vocalist in music today. Her sweet voice combined with rich, meaningful lyrics and wonderfully tight music gives the listener something to tap their toe to, as well as something to consider. Kim caught me with her debut album. It was playing in a record store and I instantly fell in love with it. As a songwriter, Kim Richey is as sweet as is her voice. Her thought processes take you through thought provoking to cheerful to sad and back to feel good, roll the windows down and drive fast moods so smoothly it will blow your mind. The masterful way she blends minor chords into her songs is beautiful and will hook you if you give it a chance. While Kim's style has changed a bit through her 3 cd's, her voice and writing style tie them together very nicely. In my eclectic 500+ cd collection, these 3 cd's get as much play as any and much more than most! Kim Richey is the best non-charting artist in the music business...lets see if we can change that (the "non-charting" part, that is)!

I heard a Kim Richey song on the radio and, since I had never heard of her, I didn't know which album it was from but I wanted to get it. (Turns out the song was "Come Around".) I got both Bitter Sweet and Glimmer, and listened to Bitter Sweet first. I was pretty disappointed; it was way too twangy country for my taste. So I was doubly surprised by Glimmer - an all-around terrific album. Great vocals, great lyrics, great musical performance. I'm not a big fan of straight pop either, but this one's way up there on my list.

Kim Richey has a wonderful voice and writes equally wonderful songs. She could me a major star but it seems that she doesn't record the kind of music most people want. This album is not easily categorized but I would describe it as mellow pop rock. Evidence of Kim's country roots is hard to find (a mandolin appears among the credits but identifying it might be challenging) although some people will classify this as an alt-country album. The album requires playing a few times to really be appreciated - a characteristic shared by many predominately mellow albums. So in some ways I can understand the mixed reviews this album gets but as far as I'm concerned this is brilliant.

Hugh Padgham, a noted pop-rock producer who has worked with Sting and Phil Collins among others, produced the album using a variety of musicians. The instruments credited (some several times) include drums, percussion, bass, acoustic bass, moog bass, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, keyboards, Hammond b-3, piano, accordion, harmonica, cello, violin, viola and that mandolin I mentioned earlier. Personally, I think the album would have worked equally well with far fewer instruments, but Hugh did a great job and he still remembered that Kim's voice is the most important instrument of all.

The songs include Can't lose them all (a song of hope), Other side of town (about hiding from familiar people), Come around (wanting to rekindle an old flame) and many other great songs too numerous to mention in detail.

If you are able to give this album the repeated plays it deserves, you will surely come to appreciate a truly great singer-songwriter. On the other hand, if you want instant gratification, look for something more suitable.

Im not sure why - but when its all hands to the deck.... at a record company - an album is plugged and suddenly its the next best thing since sliced bread.

I am a huge Kim Richey fan dont get me wrong - but this album just appears to have lost its soul. If Mercury were brave enough to admit and the artist herself. Sometimes sales figures just should pale into insignificance.

With Hugh Padgham in charge of the sounds maybe this is the answer to the mystery - he killed one of Trisha Yearwoods albums and it was one of her poorist albums saleswise.

Kim Richey may find new fans via the Come Around track but if you were to hear songs like Lonesome Side Of Town - Fallin - Why Cant I Say Goodnight (from the awesome Bittersweet effort) I could imagine that the fans would come in their thousands rather than in their hundreds. Sadly the sales didn't come when this was first released (Bittersweet) Goodness knows why - hence I can imagine the change of direction.

There are some great sounds on Glimmer - like Other Side Of Town - The Way It Never Was - So It Goes but there is a missing element which separates a track from 'being' eternally implanted in the memory and just being 'ordinary'.

You want something in the memory banks then try songs like Dont Let Me Down Easy and Straight As The Crow Flies (awesome) again from 'Bittersweet' and ALL SONGS from the self titled 'Kim Richey' debut.

Please dont be fooled by the misconception that this is Kims best effort - please listen to all the other alternatives to get a complete overview of her immense talent.

I've been a Kim fan since the start, from the first time I heard "Those words". I loved her first two country-tinged albums (although I am NOT a country music fan). This CD is a complete departure, there isn't a trace of country. I didn't like it at first, but I put it in my CD changer anyway and starting finding those wonderful Kim melodies and powerful words beneath the new production.

Kim's music doesn't fit into one neat category. Her style is somewhat reminiscent of the folk-rock-country singer-songwriters of the 70's like Joni Mitchell, Janice Ian, James Taylor, etc.

She has a powerful voice, with a touch of longing and sorrow and a hint of whimsy. Her words are powerful and she creates haunting melodies and harmony, you cry and laugh at the same time. Don't miss any chance you may have to see her in person, her voice sounds better live, and she has a charming stage presence.

Kim Richey has done it all! She has been a country singer and now she has done a WONDERFUL crossover into pop with her new album "Glimmer". This is the best CD of her career. The standout song of the album is most definetly "Come Around" (which also appears on the "For Love of the Game" soundtrack). It is a haunting song that deals with the ups and downs of love. This CD is the best. If you love a little bit of country and a little bit of pop, then you will love the new one by Kim Richey!

I have to admit, on first listen I wasn't ready to give "Glimmer" 5 stars; but isn't that true of most new recordings that we eventually fall in love with? In this case, it took a couple of listens to realize this music is going to be with me for quite awhile. In fact, as hard as this may be to believe, (for those who have studied, and truly understand the magic of Richey's previous 2 CD's) this is her best effort. It's a given, if you appreciate the human voice, Richey's is one of an angel. For that reason alone, this CD deserves a couple of stars. Add another star for the musicians. They are supurb and tight. That gets us to three stars. The other two stars will come very quickly if you give the recording a chance. I say that because it's easiest for Richey and her band to grab you, and draw you in with their up-tempo and crisp tunes. There are really only two of those on this CD, "Can't Lose Them All" and "Stength in You". However, the other cuts, with a couple of exceptions are absolutely just as good. A good example is "Hello Old Friend". It is a precious ballad, but it may take a couple of listens to appreciate it. The same could be said for "Didn't I", "If You Don't Mind" and "So it Goes". I only hope this true diamond is exposed, and there is some smart radio Program Director out there who will give Kim Richey, her band and "Glimmer" its just due.

I had read a music review column in Time magazine about Kim Richey. I figured: what the hell. What a great gamble. This album is positively transcendental. The tunes are excellent, the lyrics are outstanding. There is not a dud in the bunch. I have my favorites, like "Come Around" and "If you don't mind", but there isn't one song that is truly weak. I am not much of a country fan, and this album really didn't change my mind because this is more of a folk tinged album than a pure country album. All of my friends who bought this album love it too, so there has got to be something there.

There are a few great songs on here, but overall it pales in comparison to her 2 previous releases. She without a doubt has one of the most beautiful voices and is one of the most talented songwriters anywhere near Nashville. It seems she's really struggling to find a niche in the world of music, and in my opinion this album doesn't hit the mark. Definitely check out here earlier material. I saw her perform several of these songs (as well as earlier ones) in a musty little tavern in Ballard, WA, and she was fully into the singer/songwriter/accoustic guitar vein, and it worked very well. Except there were 2 far less talented people on stage with her and I had to suffer thru listening to them performing their songs, as well. At any rate, I will continue to follow her career and hope she rebounds from this album with something less pop and overly produced.