The Spirit Room

Michelle Branch | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: August 14, 2001
• Label: Maverick
• Copyright: 2001 Maverick Recording Company
• Genres: Alternative Rock/Singer-Songwriters, Pop/Adult Alternative, Pop/Singer-Songwriters, Rock/Singer-Songwriters
• ASIN: B00122HW5G
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (657 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

155 of 162 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

This review is from: The Spirit Room (Audio CD)

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.

45 of 47 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

This review is from: The Spirit Room (Audio CD)

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.

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Michelle has a beautiful, serene, driving voice....., November 23, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Spirit Room (Audio CD)

This CD is absolutely fantastic! It's always in playing in my stereo, and is above all my most favorite CD in my collection. Michelle's voice is young, powerful, and rich, and though she might not be as popular as fellow artists Jennifer Lopez or Ashanti, her vocals are definitely equal, if not better, than both. Her range is awe-inspiring and amazingly strong for an eighteen-year-old, and her nice sound is something that music has been missing for awhile now.

1. Everywhere -- We all know this song. The song is thoughtful and instantly likeable, and it was an excellent choice for a debut. I'm glad Michelle picked this as her introduction to the music world. The melodies are beautiful.

2. You Get Me -- This is probably my least favorite track of the CD. Michelle sounds pretty and the song has interesting lyrics, but I'm just not that into it.

3. All You Wanted -- Arguably the best track on this album. We all know it, it was on the radio for months. It's catchy, beautiful, and Michelle's vocals are amazing.

4. You Set Me Free -- This song caught my attention the first time I played it. The rhythm and beat are instantly catchy, but the lyrics are rather typical. I still like the song, but it got old after awhile.

5. Something to Sleep To -- Some like it, some hate it. Personally, I love this track. But it takes some getting used to, in my opinion. The main melody is slightly different from most of the other ones. I also think the lyrics stand out among the best on the album, but it took me awhile to like the rhythm.

6. Here With Me -- This track moves well and sounds good with Michelle's vocals, but I don't think it's one of the best ones on the CD.

7. Sweet Misery -- Now this is an awesome song. The catchy beats and the lyrics stayed in my head for HOURS. The lyrics weren't too original, but Michelle's driving vocals on this track along with the beautiful melody make up for it.

8. If Only She Knew -- Everyone likes this track. It's definitely one of the best ones on this collection; the "triangle" story that's being sung is also very interesting and original.

9. I'd Rather Be in Love -- Like "Something to Sleep To," it took awhile for me to get used to this song. The melody and rhythms took time for me to like them, but now I think the song is amazing. I loved her driving voice and the creative beat.

10. Goodbye to You -- You can definitely tell that Michelle put a lot of power behind this one. This is the most beautifully sung track on the entire CD. I love this version, but frankly, I don't care much for the version that's being played on the radio. I feel this one is much better, highlighting Michelle's vocals more, and personally feel that they should've released this one over the new version.

11. Drop in the Ocean -- I didn't like this one at first, but I do now. It's a lot different than the other tracks on the CD, but that's what makes it unique. I'm glad they finished with this track. I really liked the slow, sway rhythm used in the beginning along with Michelle's voice.

Overall, this CD definitely adds to my collection. Michelle's off to a great start in my opinion, and I'm highly impressed with the amount of talent she has at such a young age (take note that she often composes and writes the lyrics to her own music). I can't wait to hear more from this new artist. All in all, I highly recommend this buy. You won't regret it.