Customer Reviews

Mr. Heart

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

WOW -- I was a friends car and this wonderful music was coming out the speakers. It sounded like a combination of Sheryl Crow and Joni Mitchell. My friend told me it was Amy Fairchild. I immediate bought this CD and I have not taken it out of my CD player. If Amy was on a major label many of these songs would be played over and over. I was first drawn to the musicianship, but the more I listen to it -- it is the lyrics that get better and better.

I first heard Amy Fairchild on a live late night talk radio show singing Falling Down from the Mr. Heart cd. I was half asleep when I was stirred by her voice and struggled to stay awake so I could find out who was the singer with this great voice and guitar. I've been listening ever since.

Mr. Heart is a wonderful album with a mix of song types. The opening track, Falling Down, is a great song...the first I ever heard her sing. I have also heard her do this live and actually prefer the live, solo acoustic version, but it's good on the cd as well. The next two tracks, Renee and Mr. Heart, are also fine songs, Renee with terrific lyrics, a message about abuse and an interesting ending, and Mr. Heart a rocker with a slight country flavor. In terms of age appeal, my 16 year old daughter liked Mr. Heart the best of all the songs, and it is one of my favorites too. Also excellent are Movie, which reminds me a great deal of songs by Joni Mitchell with a flavor of Dylan, though frankly I like this better. And Humble Pie is just an outstanding song, one that gets better the more I listen to it. Tuesday, a moving song about 9/11, is also a beautifully crafted song. For those who are interested, I also recommend Amy's first cd, She's Not Herself. The first track on this album, This Time, is actually my favorite of all her songs.

There are a great number of wonderful singer/songwriters around and what I think makes Amy standout is her voice. The first time I heard it I fell in love with it and that has not changed a bit since the countless times I have listened to her. And her voice is even better in a live performance than on the cd. I hope more radio stations play her music so more people have the opportunity to hear this great talent. I truly believe big things are headed her way, of which she is fully deserving.

I was introduced to Amy when she played with Aztec Two Step and Mad Agnes a week ago. Right before she came on, a friend leaned over to me and asked, "Have you heard her before?" When I answered that I hadn't, he said, "Just wait -- she sounds like a mix of Shawn Colvin and Alanis Morrisette." He's right she does -- only better. She writes with unforced sensitivity and gives a very multidimensional performance. One minute she sounds light and breathy, another she sounds clear, strong and direct -- and then in the same breath she goes down to low notes that sound as gutteral as one can sound without slipping the slightest bit off key. She's cool and sexy -- and, I might add, an exceedingly gracious, nice person. I bought the CD right after the show and I like it very very much. Indeed, had I only heard the CD, I'd probably have given it 5 stars. But as good as the CD is, her live performance is that much better. Buy the CD. And look for where she'll perform near you. Both are worth the effort.

Here's a great example of what is wrong with the record business these days, this is such a great record, where are tha major labels? They should be lining up to sign this talented singer/songwriter. With hints of Joni Mitchell, Sheryl Crow, Suzanne Vega, Fairchild has a style that is uniquely her own. Her songwriting displays a personal touch that is both thoughtful and provoking. There are no cliches here. Her song about 9/11, "Tuesday" is so incredibly powerful, not another flag-waving homage, but a song that says how people really felt about that tragedy. "Renee" is a rocker with an important message. A song about abuse with a hopeful ending, "just walk away, Renee......". Then there is the pure fun of songs like Beautiful Secret" which should blow Sheryl Crow's "Soak Up The Sun" clear off the charts, and "Shade of Blue" another song that deserves maximum airplay. "Humble Pie" is just Amy, a haunting piano/vocal song that sounds so personal and intimate, it's like getting right inside Ms Fairchild's head.

Check out the players on this CD as well, Graham Maby on bass, from Joe Jackson and Natalie Merchant's bands, Gary Burke on drums, also from Joe Jackson's band. The producer Adam Steinberg not only played all the electric guitar parts, but almost any other instrument you can think of, and also got his famous brother to play a couple of bass tracks, Sebastian Steinberg from Soul Coughing and Neil Finn.

This is a CD that deserves to be on a major label, but given the state of the music industry today don't hold your breath. Just be happy you have stumbled on her here and BUY THE CD!!

In a music industry sea overrun with mediocrity and superficiality, Amy Fairchild's Mr. Heart is the rebirth of freshness, uncorkable talent and pure enjoyment. With vocal strength to rival any male contemporary, including Ryan Adams, Amy Fairchild's command of lyric and melody in every track make her truly one of the absolute best out there. Hey Britney and Cristina! Have a listen- this is how you should be sounding!

"Mr. Heart" is an excellent set from this talented singer. "Ok/Alright" has a good melody with a pulsing chorus, "I caught a glimpse of a girl today in the backyard window; she was dancin' away, she put a Beatles record on." On the track that concludes the set, "Sunshine," an acoustic strummer, she sings, "She's dreaming of flowers & birthday balloons; you sing for hours all the old Beatles tunes, 'Honey Pie' & 'I'm Looking Through you.'" Obviously, Amy (like me) likes the Beatles! However, she has her own distinctive sound as on the peppy opener "Falling Down" with an intentional oddball melody and the driving chorus, "I keep my mouth shut & I don't make a sound." "Renee" is an excellent pop ballad with dark edges about the domestic violence in Apartment #9. My favorite track is "Beautiful Secret" with its bubbly upbeat message that just brings a smile, "You know it breaks your heart of glass to tell the truth so you cover your a*s." "Mr. Heart" is great rock & roll played with zest & glee. Enjoy!

Amy creates a nice folk-rock sound on her new CD. She has a great voice reminiscent of Sarah McLachlan at times especially on the track "Humble Pie". But Amy's voice has a bit more of an edge to it. The music is engaging, strong, melodic rock with complex melodies. Filled with guitar, solid drumbeats and the occasional piano.

I just love the melody on "OK, Alright". I also really enjoy "Renee", about a woman who once lived upstairs from Amy. She calls it "...my own version of Suzanne Vega's 'Luka', Sorta."

I took this CD back out of my collection a few months after first reviewing it, and haven't been able to stop listening to it. I mean, I really liked this recording when I first listened, but now I am in love.

This is a great CD all around. Amy is one to watch. I predict great things for her.