Customer Reviews

Steady Pull

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My autographed copy of Jonatha's new album arrived a week earlier than it will in the stores...since I bought it from her website. Which is a good thing, because I've listened to it so much these first few days I'll need to get a new copy when its officially released.

Steady Pull marks the beginning of a change in Jonatha's musical styles. Fans who discovered Jonatha's work when she recorded as The Story will hardly recognize her now. Rather than the delicate and lush sounds that defined The Story or the folk-rock inspired sounds of her first solo albums, Jonatha has released what could be considered her first rock album. There are a couple of slow waltz-inspired ballads, but for the most part, the songs are R&B and jazz infused rock tracks. Don't dare accuse her of changing styles for marketing sakes, because her songs are much more complicated and deeper...this is Jonatha's pure talent simply breaking out of the mold.

"Linger" is close to old Jonatha, which is probably why its the first track, but after that its quite a different record. The title track has a rythym track never heard on Jonatha songs...and I like it. "Out of Your Mind" is great, as are the "Dress" songs. The production is great, and shows that Jonatha really put effort and thought into her new songs. Few other artist realize the potential of the voice as an instrument, and while she doesn't have the octave range some singers have, Jonatha's voice is never the same from song to song, and is rarely the same from line to line. She's always been an original and she'll always be a favorite of mine.

While not her masterpiece, Steady Pull is a turning point for Jonatha Brooke as she matures and branches out, experimenting with her songwriting skills and pushing her style range. Maybe I haven't given it the 2-3 years that I've given her previous five-star albums, and maybe I'm not used to her change of pace. I will be patient, and enjoy the budding genius on her tour supporting this album, because as she masters this amazing songwriting range that she displays, her experience will push her talent further and I have a feeling her future albums will be her best yet.

The first new studio album from Jonatha Brooke in nearly four years is close to being everything I could have hoped for, with solid songwriting, engaging production and arrangements, and the usual lovely vocals from Jonatha. There are several of the kind of introspective, acoustic singer-songwriter tunes I've enjoyed from her in the past, but the album also has a surprising amount of diversity. There are flavors of soul and funk (particularly on the title track), plus a brash shot of Stones-ish rock `n' roll on "Out of Your Mind." The real stunner is an ultra-catchy, elaborately constructed minor-key number called "Room In My Heart." If there were any justice in the music world, "Room" would get heaps of airplay - but there isn't, and it won't. As for those introspective songs, longtime fans will surely dig cuts like "Your House" and "Lullaby." Bob Clearmountain did a sturdy job as producer, and the CD boasts guest appearances from Neil Finn, Mitchell Froom, Marcus Miller and others of note. Docked a star for the uneven sound quality - the disc too often sounds muddled, and occasionally too tinny.

Jonatha Brooke has to be one of the most under-rated artists around today but it seems likely that with the release of this album all that could change. From the catchy folk pop of 'Linger' to the funked up 'How Deep is Your Love' -(no,not the Bee Gee's song!!) every single track on 'Steady Pull' is a winner. Ex-Crowded House front man Neil Finn also makes an appearance on the darkly seductive 'Red dress' but even there it's Jonatha who steals the show. I've read the other reviews with interest and any criticism seems to be based on the fact that this album doesn't sound the same as Jonatha's past releases: but surely this is a good thing!! existing fans should be delighted that she is branching out and growing as an artist while other genuine music lovers should BUY THIS AT ONCE 'cos any day now Ms Brooke is going to go global and it'll sure feel good knowing you heard her first!

I'll be honest, the first listen and I did not know what to think. Her styles had certainly morphed and changed a whole lot, and it's not what I was expecting. But Jonatha's been in my CD player now for a good 2 weeks (I got the autographed copy from her website) and I cannot get the songs out of my head. A lot more rock and funk, which caught me off guard initially. But there is something about her voice and songwriting that gets under my skin....a few listens to her tracks and you hear yourself thinking "yes, I know exactly how you must feel!!" When the message needs to be driven, her searing vocals and music pound it into you. At the softer moments, you can't help but be drawn to the quietude. Funny how it's hard to see a musician you've come to love grow up and out....but at the same time, it'd be pointless to believe that it's not necessary and wonderful all at the same time. This new solo effort of Jonatha's is definitely at the top of my list, and I just keep finding more to admire of her songwriting abilities. She is inspirational.

If you like the Jonatha Brooke who writes wistful tunes that are arranged with unexpected harmony that coats your ears like honey, then this CD will be a disappointment for you. If you like the Jonatha Brooke who rocks the house and wants to make the college radio charts, then you must own this. I prefer the former, so this CD left me a little unhappy. It has moments that recall her days in the Story, but they are few and far between. Don't get me wrong; this CD is great for what it is: a pseudo-alternative GRRL CD. It's like Jonatha is channeling Ani DiFranco. Overall the production is first-rate and given the right mood it would burn the house down. Just not the right CD for a quiet reflective mood.

For weeks I was in denial. As an incredibly loyal fan of the Story and then of Jonatha, I felt certain that Steady Pull would grow on me. I've never needed that extra time with her previous works, but, I reasoned, maybe there were layers that I hadn't uncovered yet.

I'm finally being honest with myself. Each time I play this CD I find one run through is sufficient. And then I put on an old Jonatha CD. As a friend said recently, these are songs about boys and little else--there are no explorations of relationships to others, no dog dream or circus musings. All of this, of course, would be wholly forgiveable if the writing abouts boys was rich and detailed and true. And in a few cases, the songs succeed. But in the bigger scheme of things, Steady Pull lacks clarity. Not passion; it's clear that a tremendous amount of effort went in to the making of this album. But in the apparent attempt to make this work appeal to a wider audience, something substantial was lost. The music itself feels dizzying. And the lyrics and vocal work aren't nearly as compelling as they have the potential to be. Sadly, a dissapointment.

my cds of jonatha's previous work nearly shredding from overuse, i read some of the previous reviews a bit warily. it's one thing to compare a person's views with your own and another thing to set yourself up in expectation. don't let yourself be put off by others thinking they have plotted this artist's creative trajectory, and know whether or not she has found her 'voice'. this cd is surely one of hers. the variations in jonatha's approach not only interest but delight, and she could move me with a polka if she chose. why shouldn't she? the beauty and flow of her phrasing, the unity and coherence of her melodies, the subtlety of the arrangements, and the emotional impact of these songs belie their deceptive simplicity. what it is: another gift to relish from an extremely talented artist.

It's fascinating to read the many perspectives on this new work from Jonatha- she certainly has attracted a diverse lot of us to her work!

Jonatha's music has intrigued me a great deal from Angel in the House on- I've eagerly bought each new cd and worn each thin with very rewarding repeated listening. I've had this new one for a couple of months, but didn't give it a thorough listen till this morning when I put on some headphones and ran it through cover to cover. I must say I was stunned with what I heard. The emotional power, directness of voice, intricate and original arrangements and songs, sonic adventurousness, and truly outstanding performances left me overwhelmed. I must admit that lately my interest in pop music (which has been long and deep) has waned to curiosity and a detached appreciation for cleverness; that this music could intrigue me so intellectually and also just wipe me out with its honesty and energy really amazes me. Others have said that this work feels less focused and coherent than previous albums, but I can't agree. This album to me seems more true, more thematic, and more cumulatively powerful than any other disc from Jonatha. I've always appreciated her creativity and originality, but on this disc she is expressing a complex mix of desire, pain, searching, and an irrepressible life force that puts this one in a new dimension entirely. This cd may not sound like many would like it to sound, but it is a stunning piece of musical art and I am in awe of what Jonatha has created here.

I just had the pleasure of seeing Jonatha Brooke for the first time at a small theater in Akron, Ohio (with the wonderful Kim Richey) and this darling Annette Benning look-alike is so much fun! Along with her crack band, she brought much of this new CD to life, and I've learned, again, that once you hear a great artist like Jonatha perform live, you gain a much better appreciation for the music, the message and the artist. This is a woman who loves to throw a blusy right hook like Bonnie Raitt, kiss your ears with a tender acoustic guitar like James Taylor, and then bump you with a funky R&B sound that'll rattle your eyeballs. Yes, there are some difficult moments on this CD, such as Digging and How Deep is Your Love. Perhaps she shows too much diversity, and can't build a complete bond with a wider audience. Having said that, there's NO reason why so many stiff one hit wonders get radio play, while this gifted artist isn't heard and is playing smallish theaters to less than capacity crowds. Thank god there are sophisticated music lovers like us who can appreciate a singer/songwriter who challenges us with her music. Finally, with a body of work which includes 10 Cent Wings and Plumb, plus her fine Story CDs, she has truly come into her own. There's a lot to hear and plenty to enjoy or diss. Hopefully, we won't have to wait too long for the next CD trip down her one-of-a-kind musical road.

Jonatha Brooke ain't the Story no more. You've been warned. Gone (and unfortunately, for this reviewer, greatly missed) is the lilting, gorgeous piano work of Alain Mallet and the wonderful harmonies. But times are a changing, and Jonatha has to be commended for changing her style with each CD she releases. What works: the new hipper/funkier/rock sound with (on unfortunately too rare an occasion) some stellar sidemen like the great Marcus Miller on bass. The title track is easily one of my favorites of all of her tunes and I can forgive a lot of this CDs weaknesses because of that. What doesn't work for me is the unfocused, grainy, antiseptic, compressed, lifeless feel of the first few songs both from an artistic and very certainly from a technical level. The back half of this CD is pretty well recorded, as one should expect given the reputation of the producer and engineers, but the first few songs... UGH. And hence, while I do really, really love a few songs on this CD (all from 'Room in my Heart' and on), I don't rave about it quite as much as some. A great, but possibly 'unfinished' new direction for Jonatha. I'd give it 3.5 stars if they had that rating. 3 stars is probably a bit low. Worth checking out for the title track and a few others if you want to hear a songwriter/singer who has been missed by the mainstream record giants (idiots for letting this one slip by), but not a 'desert island CD' by any means.