Customer Reviews

Strangest Places

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It is rare in the world of music that you find an artist who can blend both the genres of folk rock and pop to create a style all their own. The CD Strangest Places buy up and comer Abra Moore is such a CD by such an artist. Combining the emotion of folk rock with the essence of popular music makes songs such as Four Leaf Clover and Strangest Places appeal to a very wide audience. The album also combines more upbeat popular songs with sultry folk recordings to create a truly unique sound, which until now had non one to bring it into the main stream. Abra Moore was a shining star on the recent lilith Fair tour, and as soon as you hear the CD Strangest Places it isn't difficult to see why. So if your in the mood to see the other side of Folk rock take a listen to Strangest Places by Abra Moore an unparalelled combination of popular culture and folk rocker soul.

I bought this CD by chance -- good chance. I had just bought my Lilith Fair tickets, and Abra was one of the second stage acts; I'd never heard of her, but a local music store had Strangest Places available to listen to, and I'd be willing to bet that one listen will be enough to grab you, too.

Her fabulously down-to-earth, pop-chorus rock isn't ground-breaking or technically amazingly, but it sounds great, and isn't that why we listen?

The entire album is fairly solid, but about half the songs -- "Don't Feel Like Cryin'" is my favorite -- capture the blend of rock and pop music perfectly. Listen to this album on a rainy day, or drag your speakers onto the lawn and listen to it while you lie in the sun. This is accessible music, with Abra's great vocals (on most songs) backed by solid, catchy guitar tracks.

If my glowing recommendation seems to conflict with my rating of 3½ stars, it's because among the standouts are a few songs which, while not unpleasant to listen to, aren't quite up to par. I prefer her faster, rockier tracks, but the fan who also enjoys slower tunes like "Happiness" should be thrilled with this disc.

If there is one thing a singer/songwriter dreads, it's the "sophomore slump." (Just look at Liz Phair's second album WHIP-SMART!) A precious few artists, though, have the talent and tenacity to avoid this VH1-"Where Are They Now?"-one-hit-wonder fate. Abra Moore is one of those lucky few.

STRANGEST PLACES is filled with rollicking, upbeat tunes like the Grammy-nominated "Four Leaf Clover," the album's slinking, catchy title track, "Don't Feel Like Cryin'," and "Never Believe You Now." But Abra also shines on ballads like "Happiness" and "Summer's Ending," where her idiosyncratic gossamer vocals take center stage. Combined, all of the songs on STRANGEST PLACES make the album an upbeat, life-affirming, ecclectic, and altogether irresistible experience.

Ultimately, STRANGEST PLACES does exactly what a sophomore album should: Build upon the strengths of its predecessor (in this case, Abra's hard-to-find SING) while progressing toward a distinctive new but equally-appealing sound.

Like Danielle Brisebois's _Arrive All Over You_ (1994), _Strangest Places_ is another lost 90s treasure. While female artists like Alanis, Jewel, and Sheryl Crow enjoyed huge sales and airplay in the mid and late 90s, Abra Moore must've unfortuantely flied under the radar. If you're a fan of the above mentioned artists, or other, more critically acclaimed female artists such as Tracy Chapman and Aimee Mann, you'll probably find a lot to enjoy about this album.

Moore's voice sounds like a cross between Sixpence None the Richer's Leigh Nash and Edie Brickell. The first three tracks are fun songs that rock more convincingly than the work of some of Moore's peers, and "Happiness" draws the listener in with it's gentle arrangement and understated chorus ("Happiness has come to this/and God, it's such a heavy burden to bear"). From there, the album continues to address the subject of shattered love and relationships ("Never Believe You Now" & "Say It Like That") and energetic adult-alternative rockers like "All I Want" and "Keeps My Body Warm."

This is a very earthy, adult-alternative album which is sure to please fans of the other artists mentioned in this review.

Although I'm not into mainstream music, I have to make an exception in this case. I heard the song Four Leaf Clover on the radio by chance one day, and I went into the music store, had a listen to the rest of the songs, and bought it the same day. It has a great blend of rock and pop that is just easy to listen to. Most of the songs are faster paced, with a few exceptions that cannot be spoken poorly of. While I have sentimental reasons for liking this CD as well, it is something that everyone can easily enjoy because it was written for everyone.

What Edison is to electricity
What the sun is to life
Abra Moore is to music.

Not only that, STRANGEST PLACES swept the Austin Music Awards for best album, performer, and song--4 Leaf Clover.

I live in New Zealand and this album hasn't ever been released over here. I ordered it over the internet. It would go to Number One on our charts. So if you have anything to do with the promotion of this album get into gear and sell it to us. You won't be disappointed.

I heard Four-Leaf Clover on the radio and about a year later, recalled how the lyrics of the song made me feel. I ordered Strangest Places and found it helped me through a lot. The melodies have wonderful instrumental segments and the lyrics are beautifully written. I have yet to purchase her first album, but plan on doing it soon.

This is a funky,fun pop album from an ex- member of Poi Dog Pondering. Abra Moore has a sweet silky voice. She does a beautiful duet with Jimmy Lafave in "Happiness" and rocks out in "Strangest Places". If you enjoy Rickie Lee Jones you should try this album.

I bought Strangest Places last summer and am still HOOKED!!! I can't get enough of the wonderful songs and the wonderful lyrics by this beautiful singer/songwriter. She is a very sweet woman and her music is as beautiful she is. I recommend this one and her other Cd "sing". If you like Abra Moore you'd like Chantal Kreviazuk "Under these Rocks and Stones" or Bic Runga's "Drive".