Customer Reviews

New Universe

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Wilshire's caught some flack for its Christian music background. It's true that some of Micah and Lori Wilshire's lyrics have an inspiration bend, but they also have enough musical hooks and arrangement smarts to make their "affiliation" an irrelevant question.

Lead single "Special" caught my ear for its unusually clean, slick pop/rock sound. I've never considered studio sheen to be a liability, necessarily, and I think the single sounds good aside from Lori Wilshire's overly cutely vocal high end on the verses. She has a strong voice and the dressy vocal flourishes seem unnecessary. She sounds much better when accessing her ballsy rock voice on soaring choruses. Unlike Shannon Curfman, for example, Lori Wilshire is able to sound rocky without resorting to Melissa Etheridge-style rock-mama cliches. And Micah Wilshire provides vocal diversity with good vocal support. Their songwriting is slightly uneven but this record contains a good number of potential hits: The catchy "Special"; the melodically twisty "Turn It Around", with its pretty harmonies; the appealing vocal duet "In Your Arms"; and the dreamy "Go On", possibly the most distinctive track on the record.

As with many acts of this ilk, Wilshire can use more sonic and emotional diversity. The clean, slick sonics which had made "Special" stand out to my ear at first also does become monotonous, with the same fat guitar tones, reverbed choruses and big rock drums from track to track. This is an act that has the basics of songwriting, hooks and vocal ability down pat, but could use a touch of eccentricity and experimentation.

After seeing Wilshire in concert opening for Seal I took a chance on this CD. I can't stop listening to it. If people take notice and start listening Wilshire will be unstoppable. She has an amazing talent and the album is just loaded with good songs. I don't actually like the "hit" cut but better most of the other songs on the disc. You have to buy this.

Saw Wilshire on Tv& decided to try Cd. I am very happy I did. New Universe is one of the best new Cds I have heard this year!
Wishire has a fresh,upbeat, melodic approach to modern rock which sets them apart from other young groups. Highlights of the Cd for me-are their single,"Special" ,The beautiful love song"fool
for you" & the last two tracks on Cd- "Go on" & "tonight"While these are highlights for me -I enjoyed whole CD-buy it & you will enjoy it too!
Note: CD includes video of "Special"

This is definitely one of the year's best pop/rock albums released. As a fan of Wilshire's from their Nashville days, it doesn't surprise me that this is so. There's never a dull moment as Lori and Micah's voices weave effortlessly in and around non-formulaic melodies and chord progressions with a hint of Beatles influence thrown in for good measure. This is catchy, radio-worthy stuff without the stupidity, folks. Now if stations would just pick up the single, I'd be happy. The world needs to hear Wilshire and their kind of smart-pop needs to be moving up the charts.

While I can honestly say there isn't a single bum song on the album, my personal favorites are "Turn It Around", "Nothing Left To Lose", "When" and "Tonight" (which SHOULD be released as a single - the kids would eat it up as the best prom song since Bon Jovi's "Never Say Goodbye" - but probably won't be). I don't even know if I can tell you why except those particular songs move me a little extra.

I have also seen Wilshire perform live several times and I can attest to their skills on stage personally - they are as good live as they sound recorded. Just as "New Universe" is a purchase worth every penny, so would be a ticket to their show.

This is a gorgeous pop-rock record, reminiscent of the classic, melodic pop of the '60s and '70s. Lori and Micah harmonize beautifully, and the songs are solid from top to bottom--you may have heard the poppy single, "Special," but there's a real range here. There are two unforgettable love songs, the duet "In Your Arms" and the timeless waltz "Tonight" (both with huge string arrangements), as well as charming Beatlesque tunes like the noirish "I Know What You Did" and the bouncy "Fool for You" and earthier fare like the uplifting "Turn It Around" and the rockin' "Without You." Lori is one of the finest, most soulful singers out there, and Micah's vocals and guitarwork are a perfect complement. One of the most satisfying albums of the year.

Wilshire once again produces a memorable recorded gem on their 3rd CD, "New Universe". If you liked their first two, "Wilshire" and "Second Story," you can expect more excellent songwriting and masterful guitar-driven pop songs, along with higher production values this time around.

As noted by others, the first song, "Special," is a fantastic example of what this duo is capable of. I do wish there were a few more upbeat songs like it on the CD, but what we do get is still a finely crafted, memorable collection of pop-rock songs.

While both Lori & Micah possess great voices as soloists, it's when they blend them together that their talents truly begin to shine.

There are sweet songs, there are rock songs, there are pensive, sad songs, but my favorite has to be the absolutely beautful song, "Tonight." It's a slight reworking of the same song on "Second Story," and I actually prefer the original version, but it's still a gorgeous song no matter what. Pure perfection. Aaaah..

These two will be ones to watch from now on. If you want to know what pop music should sound like, buy this CD.

I first heard Wilshire on Launchcast radio and liked the single well enough to take the chance and purchase the CD. I do not mean to say that just because I only gave this three stars that it is in any way bad...it's not. The vocals and harmonies are very well done and all in all it is a very pleasant listen from beginning to end.

The reason for the three stars is that the songs start to all sound the same...there is no enough shift in styles or approach to make this CD truly memorable. I can't wait to hear what this duo puts out two or three cd's from now.

This CD is a breath of fresh air. Lori Wilshire's soaring vocals, Micah's smooth harmonies backed by the tight, catchy, well orchestrated music is phenomenal. You can't help but tap your feet, strum some air guitar, and sing along. Excellent!

I just received this product on saturday. When I opened the product,which is a cd, the case was broken to smithereens. I almost cut myself on the shredded plastic. Some parts of the case resembles broken glass thats been shaped into slivers of ice. I have not examined the cd closely, because I am concerned about getting cut. I rate the product one star because there is broken plastic all over the cd and I am afraid of getting cut.