Customer Reviews

When We Were Small

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Rosie Thomas's "When We Were Small" is as intimate an album as you're ever likely to hear. The individual songs are punctuated by bits of recordings of Rosie and her family from when she was a child. Just to empahsize the point further, the CD booklet contains family snapshots and a dedication to her parents.

The music itself is spare and minimalist, with Thomas often backed by only an accoustic guitar or piano. Nevertheless the stories have power, concentrating as they do on themes of love, loss, heartache and divorce. Thomas's voice is amazingly sharp and the album's clean production serves her well. The highlights include "2 Dollar Shoes," "Farewell," "Wedding Day" and the closing "Bicycle Tricycle," which evokes childhood memories as well as any rock song ever has.

Overall, a stunningly personal recording that never once lapses into sentimentality.

Many reviews have well described the cd's unique and beautifully simple compositions. By not venturing into heavily multi-layering the tracks from a production angle, the listener is transported easily into Rosie's melodically happy, sad and fragile world.

Having seen her perform this solid package of compositions when she opened for Richie Havens last April, I was instantly hooked like many of you by her sweet & haunting voice.

It's a kick to listen to some of her life's experiences between songs with that cartoony voice of hers. ..but when she starts to sing she takes on an angel-like softness and clearity that hasn't been heard in the music biz for decades. Immaculately produced by Martin Feveyear & Eric Fisher. I look forward to her next cd and hope it's here soon.

Congrats to Rosie on her recent 35 city European tour (opened for Bryan Ferry!)

"When We Were Small" contains 10 delicate tales of family, love, pain and loss, all told in a gorgeous soprano voice reminicent of Joni Mitchell. Thomas' deceptively simple acoustic guitar and piano playing is supported nicely by subtle bits of bass and drums.

What truly separates Thomas' music from contemporary singers such as Tori Amos is her utter lack of pretense. I would compare Thomas' style to that of Damien Jurado (with whom she duets on the excellent Bruce Springsteen tribute, "Badlands") or David Bazan of Pedro the Lion. All three writers posess a sense of honesty and clarity in their lyrics that is all too rare in today's irony-ridden music world.

Some highlights: the gentle piano ballad "Farewell," the harrowing "Charlotte," and the beautiful closing track, "Bicycle Tricycle."

Sitting in my car a couple of weeks ago, I happened to hear Rosie Thomas in an interview on the World Cafe radio show and heard her play one tune. I was struck by the exceptional expressiveness and controlled nuamce of her voice. On the strength of that listening, I decided to order her CD although I very rarely purchase a CD: maybe once or twice a year. (I listened to a short clip first, just to be sure I had identified it correctly) I was not disappointed. Her work is truly exceptional. Her musicality, depth of feeling, and authenticity place her among the ranks of the absolute best of female vocalists. As with many of the finest artists, she is a complete original coming from within the boundaries of traditional style.

If you have come this far, you probably already are inclined to buy the CD. I suggest that you follow your impulse: you will not regret it.

When I first heard Rosie Thomas' deep, emotional strains, a vision of the Cowboy Junkies popped into my head. Her lyrics show exactly what is on her mind. "Tie my hair up the way you like... make you sure that I'm still in love with you," she sings in the first track, "2 Dollar Shoes," which has fast become my favorite song.

Most of the time, an album either has really exceptional vocals, or tear-provoking instrumentation, or emotional thought-provoking lyrics. But Rosie Thomas has them all. "Kiss your lips before you leave me, make you see my love for you will never change."

I don't think this album will be leaving my cd player anytime soon.

I am amazed by this album. It's not too often that an incredibly talented singer/songwriter comes along(and I know those who truly love music are familiar with the often long anticipation of the next great singer/songwriter to emerge). Alas, yet another has arrived. Rosie Thomas clearly has a very real and heartfelt soul that has no choice but to create beautiful images, strong feelings and times remembered through her music. The lyrics leave you saying..."that is exactly how I would put that into words if I could". The lyrics are only the beginning though. They are built around angelic melodies and moving transitions. This is a must have for those of you who love when music truly makes you feel, think, and remember. C'mon.....When We Were Small...Can you think of a better name for a debut album? Beautiful!

I bought the album after one hearing of TWO DOLLAR SHOES and have to say that it is the best song on the record & the only one that I keep playing over & over. That being said, Thomas has a very nice voice, she has mixed in some good instrumentals, and shows a good hand at lyrics. This is a highly autobiographical album, and depending on your mood you may find the cuts from early family tapes sweet or irritating. Thomas clearly has a lot to say, and it is worth listening closely to both what and how she is saying it. Although none of the other songs quite live up to SHOES, you won't find it hard to leave the disk in your changer & I for one am certainly keeping an eye out for her next recording.

Buy this CD. You will play it nonstop for at least a week, and then again whenever you want to hear an exquisite blend of voice and piano, mellow out, or meditate on the beauty heartache (her parents' divorce)can produce. Rosie was interviewed on National Public Radio last month, and her honesty and simplicity impressed me so much that I bought her CD the next day. What a keeper! Several of my friends have overheard it while at my house, and have rushed out to get a copy of their own. Five BIG stars, Rosie! Do it again!

Wow, I stumbled across "2 dollar shoes" this morning because she is linked just below the Shins at the Sub Pop site and I RAN over to Harvard Square to buy a copy at lunch. I am so happy to have found this wonderful CD. I can only compare this experience to the first time I heard Danielle Howle, Richard Buckner or Lucinda Williams. The feeling that you know that a songwriter has connected with you and you'll follow them anywhere their career takes them.

I can't get over how astonishingly beautiful this CD is. Sounds like a cross between Sarah McLachlan, Tori Amos and Joni Mitchell. The lyrics are amazing. Touches you right in the heart.