Customer Reviews

Let It Rain

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Tracy Chapman is the anti-star. She avoids unnecessary media spotlight, shys away from the glitter and gold and is an avid charity supporter.

Every now and then, between her touring circles, she puts her confessional poems into melodies and another album is born.

In 1988, Chapman defied big-hair bands and senseless dance tunes by suddenly skyrocketing into super-success with her debut album and the hit singles "Fast Car" and "Baby Can I Hold You" - songs so uncomplicated, yet they spark an immediate emotion.

However, ever since her chart-dominating days, Chapman gradually faded away with albums not as directly radio-catchy as her debut, yet musically superb - resurfacing in 1995 with her single "Give Me One Reason."

Chapman's disappearance is directly due to the mainstream media's episodic fascination with new artists. The proof is Chapman's impressive catalogue.

"Let It Rain" is her latest full-lengther that continues Chapman's legacy as one of the best folk singers of our time.

The album opens in a rising fashion with the title track and the sorrowful "Another Sun." Then the first single "You're The One" takes off with its clap-along beat.

Then Chapman suddenly turns downhearted with the lo-mo "In The Dark" and then delves into the mysterious "Almost." This evolution is bittersweet.

What is pleasant about a Chapman album is that it merges perfectly and the album sounds like one long track. Here, Chapman uses an instrumental track "Over In Love" to achieve that ambiance, taking us from the Norah Jones-sounding "Goodbye" to the closer "I Am Yours" where Chapman wants to be wanted.

It is unlikely that Chapman will achieve former victories with "Let It Rain."

Although it is a complete and pleasing release, it still lacks a highpoint or a tune that is bound to strike gold.

But then again, who needs gold?

As I'm writing this review, I'm listening to "In the Dark", which is very reminiscent of songs from her earlier albums. If it took a couple of months for "Telling Stories" to grow on you, then let me assure you that you will not have that problem with this album. It took me 2 months to really start liking songs on her last album, but with "Let it Rain", I can honestly say that on the second listening, I was already hitting the repeat button for "Let it Rain", "You're the One", "In the Dark", and "Say Hallelujah". This one will be in my CD player for a while because "Tracy's Back!".

This is perhaps the best album by Tracy since CROSSROADS....every track is a classic! I am not going to talk about each track because they are similarly themed in nature.....very acoustic, mellow and about finding your place in this world....if you enjoy good folk pop, RUN OUT AND BUY THIS! END OF STORY!

I have followed Tracy Chapman's career from its inception and continue to be amazed by her her ability to encapsulate the human experience in a song. "Let it Rain" does not necessarily break any new ground, but it does showcase Tracy's emotive vocals and song writing as well as I could have ever hoped. In this age of digitization, the trend towards multi-layering and over-production has ruined otherwise great songs/song writing. This is definitely not the case here. John Parish and Tracy have woven the various layers of instrumentation into each track such that Tracy's vocals are always center stage, not just part of a complicated mix. Tracy has had some wonderful albulms, but from start to finish, "Let it Rain" may be her best. If you are already a fan, or you're just looking for an introduction to Tracy Chapman's music - Buy this CD.

I have always anticipated Tracy Chapman's new albums, so I made sure that I was at my local music store the Tuesday Let it Rain was released. As usual I am impressed by her lyrical honesty and subtle melodic structuring. I was disappointed with her last album Telling Stories, not for the songwriting, but for the production. John Parish, a co-producer, who I best know as a former collaborator with PJ Harvey, employs his usual unsettling and delicate clangs and bleeps that cushion Let it Rain, giving it an almost otherworldy effect that compliments Chapman's assured songs. This album is recommended for the music collectors out there, not the folks looking for an easy to swallow radio-friendly affair.

I must admit that I was very surprised to hear that Tracy Chapman was coming out with another album so soon after her last offering, "Telling Stories", which had been five years in the making. Amazingly enough, Chapman has managed to completely change her sound yet again. This time she has gone in the direction of sparser, even eerier grooves. Her voice is and lyrics are as beautiful as ever, and the musical production complements the songwriting. On the opener, "Let it Rain", one really feels the sensation of rain falling outside while listening.

Not that the album is overly dark - there are some straighter rock songs here, like the first single "You're the One". But even these are drenched in blues, which of course is the beauty of them. Otherwise they would probably seem overly sugary. But Chapman hits the perfect balance between simplicity and emotion. Some songs hold echoes of Portishead and maybe even David Gray. It is clear that Chapman is not resting on her laurels; here music is constantly developing and that alone is cause for excitement.

She grabbed me from the first listening of "Fast Car" and we have been together ever since. I, too, was surprised and elated when I learned that she was in production with a new project that turned out to be "Let It Rain". "Telling Stories" blew me away on many levels and, as always, you cannot predict the next step in her growing. "Let It Rain" is soothing ("Let It Rain", "Over In Love"),thought provoking ("Another Sun", "Hard Wired", "Almost", "Broken") sometimes disturbing ("In The Dark", "Happy") but illuminating. The writing is delicious and can be savored over and over. The music has depth, range and stunning creatvity. Not in a heavy-handed way, but subtle and spiritual. I thank God for Tracy. She adds quality to my life through the sharing of her rare, consistent God-given talent.

Tracy and I went to school together, and I told her then to keep on singing. I'm very proud. buy this CD and you won't be sorry! and then buy all her other CDs. she is the modern Billy Holiday or Nina Simone - way way better than Natalie Cole. she is better than most anyone I can think of, in fact - yup, she's my favorite.

I have always been stubbornly fond of Tracy Chapman's eponymous debut album, and feel that all of her subsequent efforts, while strong, never quite met the expectations of her first effort. At the time of her debut, she was very young, confident, and talented. Now she is older, wiser...and just as confident and talented.

Chapman returns to earlier styles on this album, still defending a lover who doesn't deserve her on 'You're the One', although now he seems to be just a bit boorish, rather than abusive. 'Almost' is a melancholy tale of what might have been, but it doesn't feel hopeless. 'Say Hallelujah' is a great blues number, while 'Happy' isn't necessarily, well, happy, but it is a beautiful example of the range of Chapman's always-amazing voice. Other highlights are the somewhat-retro feel of 'Goodbye' and the instrumental, 'Over in Love'.

Tracy Chapman has stayed in the public eye since the late 1980's because of her talent, and her determination to stick to what she is best at: singing, playing her guitar, and composing thoughtful songs that aren't necessarily going to get a lot of airplay. The first time I ever heard Tracy Chapman's voice, I was amazed, and I am still amazed, all these years later. Her talent never wanes, and this album is a mellow example of how her talent is stronger than ever.

I listened to it tonight with a glass of merlot and lights down low...and with my eyes closed, cuddled up, it felt like I was listening to her sing across of the flickering light of a campfire... 'Another Sun' and 'You're the one' are favorites. It's a haunting disc. It has a very introspective, soul-searching quality that will feel just right if you are reflecting on a past love or maybe even a past life. Mellow, but searing... very ... theraputic might be the word I'm searching for. Lush, lush vocals, great clear musical sounds; haunting. Makes you want to play it again and crawl inside yourself for a little while.