Customer Reviews

High Hopes and Heartbreak

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I love listening to this CD. Brooke continues to bring her pure vocals and amazing songwriting talent to every track. There is something for everyone on this CD. Some songs have a country flavor "When we were one", others are more pop sounding like "Radio Radio". "High Hopes and Heartbreak" has a hint of disco, her cover of "Use somebody" has a classic rock feel, and of course there are her signiture piano ballads to round it all out in "Smile" and "Sometimes Love". She has captured that timeless '70s singer/songwriter sound in an updated and fresh format. My favorites are "Out of the Ashes", "When we were one", "Little Bird", and "California Song". Brooke's sunny personality and deep emotional appeal are present throughout this CD. The instrumentation is real and beautiful. Way to go Brooke!

Love, love, love this album! Her unique voice, melodic lyrics and her inspirational words are jewels in the sea of wannabe musicians and manufactured sounds. If you're a fan of Colbie Caillat, John Mayer, Bee Gees, Carly Simon, Coldplay, Taylor Swift -- or any talented singer-songwriter who can play piano, guitar or both (Brooke plays both), you'll adore this album!

Anyone who appreciates roughy yet melodic female voices and a very talented meaningful writer of her own songs, plus being a talented player of multiple instruments, will MOST CERTAINLY enjoy and appreciate this cd by Brooke White. For me, what separates her and brings her near the top of former Am. Idol contestants is indeed her versatility in the music arena. And she does them ALL well! That is why I feel this CD is well worth the purchase, and that she is deserving of and would be most appreciative of that & her fans. Read her liners & song lyrics included in the neatly & uniqely packaged CD, & you'll understand why. "High Hopes and Heartbreak", enjoy!

I've been waiting a long time for this CD to come out, and it's finally here!!! Brooke doesn't disappoint with this album either, as I don't think there is a single song on the entire CD that I didn't like. The whole CD is just nice, mellow music with Brooke's signature piano accompaniment. If you liked Brooke's musical style during her American Idol performances, thankfully, nothing has changed here. My favorite songs include Radio Radio, Hold Up My Heart, her personalized version of the Kings of Leon song, Use Somebody, and Little Bird. When she was on American Idol, Simon Cowell respectfully compared her to Carly Simon, and I think Brooke's music style actually is very reminscent of Carly Simon's music. I am also very impressed that she wrote (or co-wrote) every song on this album, except the Kings of Leon song, as that speaks volumes of Brooke's talent as both a singer and a songwriter! Way to go Brooke!!! If you are a fan, show your support for Brooke and buy this album today!!! :)

Very good album that I would recommend. I think a lot of people will sleep on this and she won't get the airplay that she deserves. The team that worked on this album did an exceptional job. Very good music on this album.

This is a wonderful CD. Brooke's voice has a clarity and enjoyability that far exceeds many artists today. The fact that she has written most of the songs herself makes it even more enjoyable. There are songs that are light-hearted for easy listening and songs that are emotional and tear at your heart. My husband and I love listening to her! Sonia from California

Brooke White is a singer you're going to fall in love with. I loved watching her perform on American Idol. Brooke sure does have talent. I think Brooke is something different, I like the way she sings to your heart, and gets your attention while listening to this album. I love the songs on this album. I think many people are going to like this album. Brooke reminds me of Jewel, so if you like Jewel you'll like Brooke. High Hopes and Heartbreak is a laid back album, this is a CD you can relax to.
My favorite songs on High Hopes and Heartbreak are:
1. Out of The Ashes
2. When We Were One
3. Smile
4. Radio Radio

I love the songs on this CD. I think they really illustrate Brooke White's songwriting abilities, especially the ballads.

My favorite tracks include "Smile", "Out Of the Ashes" and "Phoenix" but, really, they're all good.

Some people have complained that this CD is not current, and that the songs are dated but I strongly dissagree. I think that we live in a time when musical tastes have never been more diverse. Everyone likes something different, and there is definitely a market for Brooke White's haunting, beautiful music.

It seems like the "American Idol" tag is like a detour sign for a lot of music fans. They instantly assume that they're gonna be serenaded with watered down material from an undeserving artist who didn't write their own music or lyrics. That does not apply to 7th Season alumnus, Brooke White. Not only is she a self-motivated and talented composer, but she's a true student of her genre, taking after those she most resembles; Carole King and Carly Simon, notably.

'High Hopes And Heartbreak' is actually White's sophomore album, but because her exposure to the limelight was only prevalent after her appearance on American Idol, it's being treated like a debut. The word I find most fitting for this record is "tranquil." It's peaceful, it's honest, and it's genuine. It's really one of the few albums I've listened to over the past several years where I really felt a connection to the artist. Too many musicians these days generate music for status and financial gain, thus creating a gap between them and their fans. Brooke White has always given me the impression that not only does she care about the music, but she cares about the effect it has on the people who listen to it. There are so few artists who stay "unplugged" these days, but White's strength is with an instrument at her fingertips, whether it be a piano or an acoustic guitar. She is a new generation of the singer/songwriter.

Though I thought "Hold Up My Heart" was a bit bland for a lead single, White bounces back with creative and upbeat lyrics to go with some clever, catchy melodies. One listen through and you'll practically smell summer in the air.
On White's debut in 2005, 'Songs From The Attic', she covered two songs. The first was the legendary 1973 hit by Aerosmith, "Dream On." The second, made more for White's style, was "Yellow", the Coldplay single from their album 'Parachutes' in 2000.
'High Hopes And Heartbreak' is all original material outside Brooke White's cover of "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon. White's rendition is significantly more upbeat but beautifully crafted for her voice and range.
The second single, "Radio Radio", is my favorite song on the album. It's a lighthearted, up-tempo track that'll have you mouthing the words along with Brooke. If "vintage White" ever becomes a catch phrase years down the line, it'll stem from this song.
Of course, there's so much more praise to tack on when it comes to this record.

Standout Tracks:
"Phoenix"
"High Hopes And Heartbreak"
"Sometimes Love"
"California Song"
"Be Careful"

This is a folk-pop album that should expand Brooke White's horizon beyond that of American Idol fans. She no longer needs to be categorized. White is self-made, talented and humble, and should be considered among the rising stars in the music business as we look ahead to a new decade.

Grade: A

If you liked Brooke on American Idol than you'll love this CD. I loved "Hold up my Heart" instantly when she sang it on a results show this past season and and the rest of the CD is catchy too. You'll find yourself singing along or getting the songs stuck in your head.