Customer Reviews

Rise

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I have been a Kim Richey fan for years and have been listening to this CD non-stop since I bought it. It is DEFINITELY different from her other three CDs, which is what makes Kim Richey as good (and respected) as she is - she is always reinventing herself and pushing the envelope. "The Circus Song (Can't Let Go)" is great example, with it's bizarre synth work and drum rolls evoke images of trapeeze artists and clowns in the studio all around her.

The songs range from "Me and You", an upbeat romp, to the Celtic-inspired, bass-drum laden "No Judges" and the haunting "Electric Green". "Fading" is a haunting ballad of love lost, Richey's voice is barely above a whisper but so incredible anyway. On "This Love" Richey's voice soars as she sings about a love, almost in a gospel way. The first song, "Girl In a Car" is my favorite though, it is an awesome song about getting away.

Kim Richey defies description and classification, just calling her 'country' is too restricting. But to put it in simple terms she is an artist, and a great one at that. Her music makes you think, takes you on a journey, gives you chills, and makes you smile - even if only for 53 minutes the CD plays.

You really have to give music producer Bill Bottrell credit; he definitely knows what he's doing when it comes to talented female musicians. He worked with Sheryl Crow on her first two (and arguably best albums), and helped ex-bangle Suzanna Hoffs craft an excellent, albeit vastly overlooked self-titled album in the mid 90s (a release well worth seeking out, by the way). Even more striking would be his collaboration with Shelby Lynn in 2000 which resulted in one of the most stunning rock-country hybrids in years, earning Lynn a grammy for Best new artist along the way. Proof enough of his genius, now on to Kim Richey.I've never been much of a Kim Richey fan. I've tried to like her and while I own most of her cds, she never really struck me. Her genius is evident enough, she just never had the edge that I appreciate in other artists in the genre. Artists like Lucinda Williams, Patty Griffin, Kasey Chambers...they all seemed to possess a little something extra that I found lacking in Richey's efforts. Now we have RISE and that all has changedRISE opens with the moody rocker 'Girl In a Car.' It seems like just another alt country gem, but the lyrics are clever and it sets the tone for the entire album: loss, melancholy, loneliness...it's definitely Richey territory. 'A Place Called Home, 'Hard to Say Goodbye,' and 'Good Day Here,' are similar Richey compositions, each contributing to the solid thematic feel of the album.Two of the strongest tracks on the album appear near the middle: 'Fading,' and 'Without You,' are some of the most beautiful tracks this genre has ever seen. Simple, elegaic and moving, this is Richey and Bottrell at their best. Current music, whatever the genre, doesn't get any better than this. With all of this somber melancholy, does Richey still rock? Absolutely! The rollicking 'Me and You,' is a laidback sing-along that manages to incorporate Richey's easy vocals with Bottrell's southern fried rock. Definitely one of the album's highlights. As is the quirky and destined to be overlooked track 'Electric Green.' The only complaint that one might have with Richey's newest effort is that a couple of the tracks seem a little underwhelming if only because the rest of the album is so stunning. If Richey had chosen to follow in Lynn's footsteps with a 10 or 11 track cd, RISE would've been nearly flawless. As it is, one can't complain.What Bottrell and Richey have created is a moody and achingly elegant collection of songs that are very reminiscent of his work with Lynn. Whether this will do for Richey what I AM SHELBY LYNN did for Lynn remains to be seen. There's no justifiable reason it shouldn't.

It's the language, the word-play, the lyrical content of Kim Richey's songs that make her music so distinctive. She's been backed up on every album by top-notch musicians who have given her songs the musical energy to lift them off the ground, but it's Kim who makes this music happen. There is a tension between her clever and literate lyrics, in which she is always moving toward a brighter future no matter how bitter the past, and her voice, which for all of its warmth and brightness is shaded with a wisp of melancholy. Some of her songs have a musical hook that grabs like velcro; sometimes the touch is more subtle, and you won't get it if you're not listening.

Each of her albums are different; together they show a singer-songwriter who is able to put the emphasis on a different syllable of the altcountryfolkpoprock label according to where she is in her personal and artistic development. There's no reason she couldn't be marketed like any other 'superstar'; she has more talent than most of them. So there's some other reason she hasn't attained superstar status, and it most likely has to do with the integrity of her work. The album reviews on this site alone show that many people prefer only one or two of her albums, and those listeners want to see more like THAT one. 'Rise' is unlikely to appeal to those fans who like her debut album only, or who only like 'Bittersweet' or 'Glimmer'. This is an album for those who are willing to allow an artist the opportunity to evolve.

'Rise' represents a more subtly nuanced Richey, with arrangements that give the feeling of having been carefully constructed, rather than merely written. Overall, 'Rise' is more introspective, and suggests that Kim is approaching her maturity with the feeling of serenity that comes from lessons learned. With songs like the beautiful 'A Place Called Home', 'Fading', and 'Hard to Say Goodbye', Kim looks longingly back on the past even as she dreams of the future.

I'm lucky enough to live in Austin, the place Kim calls home. Her two most recent performances in town didn't even sell out the small campus venues. However, those of us who attended were treated to two superb shows, both as different from one another as her albums are. Her band was behind her note for note, beat for beat, supporting but never overpowering her. Her performances were filled with so many deft and subtle musical touches that most listeners sat there in slack-jawed wonder at the expression of artistry. When she concluded her first performance with a mesmerizing "Reel Me In", I don't think anyone in the audience had taken a breath for five minutes. Her encore performance a month later in the intimate setting of the Cactus Cafe, backed only by her bassist and percussionist, revealed within a more spare musical framework the richness of meaning in her songs. And her voice just grows on ya...

If you can't be entertained by movies unless they're filled with special effects and explosions, you're not gonna be entertained by this album. So don't buy it, and don't bother with her road shows, either. It makes the experience more intimate for the rest of us, and we won't have to listen to your cell-phone ring in the middle of her performance.

This is the first cd by Kim Richey I have purchased. I have had good luck buying Lost Highway releases in the past and this cd had received good reviews in EW.

One song that I have played over and over is "Fading". It brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. Although I wouldn't really categorize it as a story song, it evokes the most vivid mental pictures of a love affair at its pinnacle and at its end.

I think fans of Norah Jones and/or fans of Allison Moorer would like Kim Richey's voice and style.

It's been far too long since Kim Richey last graced the world with her artistry. I anxiously awaited the release of Rise, having just about worn out Glimmer, Bitter Sweet, and the eponymous Kim Richey. On first listen, I was a little confused by a style and sound that seemed quite different from her previous work, but still found myself comforted by her voice and lyrics. After repeated listening, I'm loving it!Favorite tracks: A Place Called Home, Good Day Here, This Love, and Without You (which reminds me of k. d. lang's Ingenue CD, for some reason). The whispering intro to Electric Green sounded like a Mary Chapin Carpenter song. I notice different influences every time I listen.13 new songs in all - and they're all good! Do yourself a favor and add this one to your collection. And if you don't already own Glimmer, Bitter Sweet, and Kim Richey, treat yourself to those as well!

I want to add my two cents before the year is out and say that this is a wonderful, soulful, brilliantly crafted album I've been returning to over and over. It doesn't resolve Kim Richey's genre identity crisis, but it sure keeps her career journey and struggle to define herself a fascintating ride. The songwriting is superb, the production astute and inventive, and the instrumentation is gorgeously spare but evocative. This record puts Kim Richey up there with Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris, and Patty Griffin in my book of must-watch female folk-country geniuses.

The standout tracks for me are "Girl in a Car" (a killer Side A opener with a huge sound), "A Place Called Home," "Fading" (maybe the saddest song of the year besides anything on Beck's "Sea Change"), "Reel Me In," "No Judges," "Good Day Here," and the mindlessly catchy and sketchy closer, "Cowards in a Brave New World." Kim, please come and do a live show in Santa Fe!!

This isn't the light and fluffy Kim we're accustomed to, this is Kim with an edge. Don't buy this CD expecting the same style of pop country music she has given us before. The songs on this recording will likely NOT be covered by any pop country diva's.

Each of Kim's records has been a progression, she's obviously not one to get stuck in a musical rut. Unfortunately, many music listeners do tend to stick with one sound and are put off when an artist changes styles, which may be one reason for the negative reviews here (?).

Bill Bottrell's production will be disturbing to long time Kim fans, the relatively sparse instumentation requires the volume to be cranked up to appreciate the subtle nuances. I'm not happy with what he's done, but I am glad to hear Kim's voice singing new songs.

Music tastes are an individual thing and very subjective, but if you enjoy well crafted music from a lady with beautiful voice and a gift for both song and lyric, then you will like Rise. As with any work of art, this recording grows on you, each listening brings another "a-hah". Rise is great music from a mature singer-songwriter hitting her stride. I only wish the producer had not taken such a heavy hand.

I can understand why this album disappoints some of Kim Richey's fans (this is very different from Kim's earlier albums) but I can also understand why other fans love this album - and I am in the second group. Played as background music, all the songs may well sound similar. This album is definitely unsuitable as background music at least until you have played it enough to be familiar with it.

Produced by Bill Bottrell, who has previously with Sheryl Crow and Shelby Lynne among others, this album definitely needs a few plays to be appreciated although Kim sings as good as ever. I have not followed Kim's career closely but I get the impression that she was at a point in her life where there was a lot of uncertainty. Kim spends a lot of time remembering the past and wondering what the future might hold. Most of the songs are slow, reflective ballads with a bluesy feel to them. Kim even sings a song about good memories (The circus song) reflectively, rather than making it into an upbeat, joyful song.

The tempo picks up a little on No judges, which some people interpret as a gospel song. It could be, but then again it could be a simple love song - or just a song about forgiveness. The tempo picks up a little more on the next track, This love. Again some might interpret this as a gospel song (and it contains references to Jerusalem\) Again, it might be but I interpret it as a love song. It's back to normal for this album with Good day here, in which Kim tries to prevent somebody digging up the past, thus potentially spoiling a good day. After two further mellow tracks, the tempo picks up once more for the final track, Cowards in a brave new world, thus ending the album on a cheerful note.

This is a very mellow, often melancholy, album that may not suit everybody but, after a few spins, I quite enjoy it.

It all started last March when I decided to travel all the way to London from Paris .. My favorite band was doing a concert at the Shepherds Bush Empire that night and I couldn't possibly miss it ! The opening was by a certain KIm Richey. I had never heard of her, so didn't expect much of anything, to tell the truth. But as it turned out, I rather liked her ! Also kinda stuck with her cause she had such a bad audience .. People did not even seem to notice she was there, so her painstaking efforts at cheering the crowd just failed due to lack of interest !
Now I can't say I remember many of the songs that she did that evening - except for a somptuous acoustic rendering of Circus song - but I felt so sorry for her, I promised to myself I would check her out !
And so I did. I first got Rise, which is her latest effort to date.
How did I enjoy it ?
Well, it sure took several listenings for the music to grow on me ... I was a bit dismayed at first cause it sure doesn't sound like an acoustic recording and nothing like that London night! The sound is a bit surprising too .... for me it has a strong trip hop flavour to it, which may seem a bit dull sometimes.
But I gave the Cd new chances and a couple weeks later .. I was hooked ! Coudn't commend it highly enough now !
My faves include Without you. Wonderful song, quite lifting ! Beautiful & wise lyrics. I can't get tired of it ! Listen to it while you're having a lovely long bath with candles and wine .. that's heaven ! Really. It's reassuring to know that music still has power nowadays !
The last track Cowards in a brave new world is enjoyable too ! You can dance to it. Even the title's great !
Hard to say Goodbye is a slow and lovely song .. you have to deserve it !
What else ? I like Reel me in and I think I've already heard it somewhere. Does somebody know where it might have been ?!
My only complaint about the CD is that the songs sound so much better when they're pleyed live with only one guitar .. aren't Cds a bit "dead" sometimes ?
So if you get the chance, catch KR somewhere in an American club .. it's well worth it, I'm telling you ! You'll enjoy your time.

I also first heard the song "Place called home" at the end of the Angel episode "Shells". I don't have words for how moving it was, I just had to go and find it.