The Spirit Room [ENHANCED]

Michelle Branch

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 14, 2001)
• Original Release Date: August 14, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Maverick
• ASIN: B00005M987
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (657 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,498 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

"So I'm a little left of center, I'm a little out of tune," sings Michelle Branch on her debut album's "You Get Me." Well, maybe. Branch offers a well-produced pastiche of chiming and strumming guitars, hip-hop-lite beats, quiet-verse-to-louder-chorus templates, and positive thinking. At her best--"If She Only Knew," a propulsive love note to an ex--she rivals the likes of Sixpence None the Richer as likable radio-aimed fare. Catchy and self-expressive while breaking absolutely no ground, Branch also echoes everyone from label-mate Alanis Morissette to the solo Belinda Carlisle. She dies just a little in this crazy mixed-up world, escapes to her secret garden for sunshine in the pouring rain, and ultimately finds her reflection getting clearer. The Spirit Room could be the next bit of pop philosophy to dazzle mainstream audiences. --Rickey Wright

Product Description

Includes Different Artwork Than USA Version and Exclusive CD Rom Section which features Behind the Scenes Footage of the Making of this CD, a Picture Gallery plus a Weblink. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

150 of 156 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars michelle branch - not just a "girl with a guitar", August 21, 2001

By	Jessica (Bacliff, Texas USA) - See all my reviews

as a teenage girl, i often feel as though the music industry is constantly pushing false images and manufactured "girl anthems" at me. to be perfectly honest, i was a bit hesitant to buy michelle branch's major label debut. sure, i'm a big hanson fan, and i know she toured with them. big deal. i was prepared for her to be maverick records' answer to britney spears.

however. . .i've listened to each song on the album a few times, and i must say i'm pleasantly surprised. michelle writes (yes, she actually had a hand in each song on the album) with as much honesty and awkwardness as any teenage girl feels every day. the songs are quite relateable, and she doesn't seem to be some supergirl who i could never aspire to be or meet or know. she's just a regular girl, singing regular songs about regular feelings. i'd say this is maverick records' attempt to corner the regular girl market. anyhow, here's a bit of each song, in detail.

track 1 - "everywhere": it's no surprise that this was the first single from spirit room. pop radio will love it for it's incredibly catchy hooks, and alternative radio will give it a few spins because it's a girl with a guitar. everyone wins. this is a great song, though, and michelle's unique voice packs a ton of emotion.

track 2 - "you get me": now, here's the awkward teen girl song i alluded to before. if ever there was a song for all the girls of the world who were neither popular nor confident, this is it. these lyrics are amazing ('so i'm a little left of center/i'm a little out of tune/some say i'm paranormal/so i just bend their spoon/who wants to be ordinary/in a crazy, mixed-up world/i don't care what they're sayin'/as long as i'm your girl'), as though she's accepted her uniqueness and is embracing it, rather than hiding from it. someone should put this on the soundtrack to gilmore girls. o wait. . .i think "everywhere" beat this song to it.

track 3 - "all you wanted": another well-crafted song for teenage outcast girls to relate to. the lyrics make me think of a girl trying to save a boy from the popular crowd, who are so empty and shallow inside, because she knows he is more than that. i'm relating already!

track 4 - "you set me free": yeah, teenage girls can be relateable, but we can be major saps, too. ('you're in my heart/the only light that shines/there in the dark') despite lyrical mishaps, michelle's vocal ability saves this song.

track 5 - "something to sleep to": this song is actually different than most others i've heard lately. i'm sure she's not inventing some kind of musical style here, but at least it's a change of pace from songs that rhyme 'love' with 'above'. michelle's voice is haunting and melodic at the same time, and her confusion makes this more of a story than a song.

track 6 - "here with me": the beats in this song are more hip-hop than rock, which gives it an interesting feel. i'd like this to be the next single. the chorus is sing-a-long-able. ('i know you had to go away/i died just a little, and i feel it now/you're the one i need/i believe i would cry just a little/just to have you back now/here with me/here with me')

track 7 - "sweet misery": i think this song was taken from michelle's independant release, broken bracelet. the original version was a bit better, though less polished, in my opinion. this heavily produced track falls a bit flat because it removed the guitar, angst feel from the original. the lyrics are still really pretty.

track 8 - "if only she knew": this song is absolutely one of my favorites. everything falls into place here, with the guitars, vocals, lyrics. . .everything. i'm sure that any fan of today's pop divas would change their tune after hearing this one.

track 9 - "i'd rather be in love": wouldn't we all? michelle is wise beyond her eighteen years, and this song proves it. ('why are we afraid to be in love?/to be loved/i can't explain it/i know it's tough to be loved')

track 10 - "goodbye to you": this is definitely another girly, coming-of-age song. it seems to be about breaking up with a first love, and michelle managed to capture all the contrasting feelings that go along with that situation in this heartbreaker.

track 11 - "drop in the ocean": quite a mellow song; perfect to close the album.

i hope that michelle branch is powerful enough to make a mark in the pop music industry. it's about time teenage girls have someone besides britney to idolize. i'm not saying that britney spears isn't fun in her own right, but change is necessary to human existence. i'm tired of being spoken down to, and feeling as though i have to be a sexual object to be important. let's hope that michelle branch gets to enjoy the success she so deserves.

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A near-perfect album from a talented newcomer, January 1, 2002

By	Sallia (USA) - See all my reviews

Michelle Branch may be about the same age as many of the blonde dancers who have taken over the music scene of the past few years, but it would be wrong to compare her music to theirs. While Michelle and the blondes (is it just me or does that sound like the name of a '80s group?) may all be able to produce catchy, radio and MTV friendly songs, they really are as different as night and day. Michelle actually writes her own songs and uses real instruments. Her music is more like the music performed by people like Fiona Apple or Alanis Morrisette than the singers who are her age.

I'm feeling lazy today, so instead of really writing a good review, I'm just going to list the songs and make comments about them.

Everywhere- 5/5 Everyone reading this has probably heard this song a million times by now, but it's still great. It's catchy and upbeat without really being pop.

You Get Me- 4/5 I like this song, but it can get on my nerves sometimes. It's good, but not one of my favorites.

All You Wanted- 6/5 No, it isn't a mistake that I gave this a 6. I really love this song. It's my favorite on the CD, by the way..

You Set Me Free- 4/5 This could have been a mediocre song, but it's still good. It reminds me of something that Jewel would sing.

Something to Sleep To- 3.5/5 I would like to love this song. I really would. However, I just can't. It's a pretty decent song, but it's a little too generic in my opinion.

Here With Me- 4/5 This isn't one of my favorite songs on the album, but I still like it. It's nice and flows well.

Sweet Misery- 5/5 Here's another one of my favorite songs. It's catchy and will stay in your head for hours..

If She Only Knew- 3/5 This is one of those songs that I probably should like. Most people I've talked to say this is their favorite song by Michelle Branch, but I don't really like it. I think it's well-done, but not my thing.

I'd Rather Be In Love- 4/5 Another good song. I have a habit of mixing it up with 'Here With Me' though...

Goodbye to You- 4.5/5 An almost perfect song. It's really sweet (in a sort of sad way), but after hearing the 'live' version on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' I have decided it sounds a lot better live.

Drop In The Ocean- 5/5 This one's my second favorite song. It's pretty different from the others and her voice sounds really cool in it.

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice to see artists like Michelle hit the scene, March 16, 2002

By	Buddhaful (MI) - See all my reviews

Michelle Branch is in a league of her own in the pop world. Most pop artists can't spell "originality" but Michelle Branch plays guitar, writes her own songs, etc. You can really feel most her music, she has a strong voice and even stronger lyrics. You'll be loving this CD from beginning to end. Now to the rest of the review:

1. Everywhere - Great first single, the chorus has powerful vocals on it by Michelle. One of the best on the CD. 10/10

2. You Get Me - This one is my friend's favorite on the CD. It is pretty good. 8/10

3. All You Wanted - My favorite on the CD. Between track 1 and this one, the CD is worth you money

4. You Set Me Free - This song is okay but it seems like this one is more of a filler than single material - 7/10

5. Something To Sleep To - A little weak but not unlistenable. Maybe that's just my opinion. 6.5/10

6. Here With Me - A good song but doesn't pick up till the chorus. 7.5/10

7. Sweet Misery - This song doesn't do it for me, I suggest skipping this one. 5.5/10

8. If Only She Knew - This song is really great, I hope it becomes a single. My only problem of giving it a 10 is that it sounds a little too much like track 2. 9/10

9. I'd Rather Be In Love - This song has got the whole package, You'll enjoy this one. 8.5/10

10. Goodbye to You - A sadder song that kind of downbeat, I still like it. 8/10

11. Drop In The Ocean - A slower ballad to end out the CD. 8/10

Overall this CD will be lasting for a long while. Michelle has got that special something that I can't resist. She's got a very special talent that will get her places. You will like Michelle Branch if you like: Vanessa Carlton, Alanis Morsette, Jewel, or Lifehouse. Pick up the CD and listen to one of the best new artists out today.