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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Higgins Shines, September 26, 2005
Forget about the British invasion. The real deal now is the Aussie take-off. We giggled at the sight of Kylie back when she came out, but now she stands as a huge force in popular culture. Even her sister managed to break free from the shackles of teeny-bopper land. Then Natalie Imbruglia bursts onto the scene popularizing Australian imports even more and stripping the genre of pop away from it.
Nowadays, a young folkie by the name of Missy Higgins is getting a lot of buzz and deservedly so. Higgins released the docile, yet pleasant The Sound Of White after a trip backpacking across Europe. Wavering between a young Aimee Man and a direct Natalie Merchant, the newbie shines through other attempts of college café ditties.
The album starts out with the track that has landed her the record deal "All For Believing" - a track that encompasses stark sentimentality with urge of forgiveness. The kind of song one would listen to in order to stay in a relationship.
The soft-heartedness continues with the standout of "Ten Days," which is another hymn for the troubled, yet with a tone of desperation so honed it would make "Un-Break My Heart" sound crass.
Then comes the slightly upper-tempo "Scar." This further sets the air for the album, which carries the same theme of a tumultuous relationship throughout.
But, the jitteriness ends with the melancholy "Don't Ever" through the lonesome "Katie"
Then more dejected moments arise with the arresting "The Special Two," which finds Higgins in both a figurative and literal stupor.
The Sound Of White is a diary of thought for the forlorn. In almost every song Higgins can't stand the situation she is in. It continues on with melodic aptitude and remains fey throughout. This is very depressing, but in the good sense. Only a few people can pull off sad music and Higgins joins that group.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An honest album from an honest singer/songwriter, October 25, 2005
Let's get a few things straight about this album - I know people who don't like it, but they were under the impression that it was something it wasn't:
Firstly, Higgins' accent isn't fake. There's plenty of Australians who speak exactly like that, and there's plenty who don't. Not all Aussies speak like Steve Irwin (thank goodness), or Missy Higgins. So, if you have an Aussie friend, and they speak with a different accent to what you're hearing from Higgins, that can be perfectly normal. She speaks with the same accent as she sings - and it never changes. It's not "put on" to appeal to anyone.
Secondly - I'm getting the impression that many people are buying the album expecting all the songs on it to be similar to "Scar", a song that seems to be internationally famous. In fact, "Scar" is the exception, rather than the rule, and the rest of her work is rather different.
What this work is, however, are songs driven by real acoustic instruments, often with absolutely no drums driving the beat. The songs feature a substantial amount of acoustic guitar and piano, not surprisingly, since these are played by Higgins herself. If you don't like music without a heavy bass backing, move right along, there's probably nothing for you in this album.
You can't dance to the music - and you'd be nuts to try to, too. This is music to listen to, and if you've got the right ear, it's also music you can play on your own piano, with its simple, but appealing melodies. Listen to the music - and you'll find another rarity in modern music. That is, lyrics that make sense.
I'm admittedly a little biased, not because I'm Aussie, but because I'm a fan of Higgins' work, and have been ever since she was playing in small venues as a support act.
Kylie Minogue and Delta Goodrem might have the spotlight internationally and even domestically here, but personally, I think that Higgins is the best of the three, and most definitely the least 'mainstream'. To make a comparison to Goodrem - Higgins plays her songs in a similar style to the more piano-driven songs in her first album, "Innocent Eyes".
This music is more ballad than pop - and if people that buy it realise that beforehand, it'd probably ease a bit of disappointment with what is in fact a great CD.
Another way to ease the disappointment of a misguided purchase is to listen to the music at Higgins' own website. If it's your type of music, it's very likely you'll be compelled to buy the album. It's worth it.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
She's going to be a HUGE star!, February 12, 2007
I heard Missy Higgins for the first time on a mix CD a friend gave me after she came back from Australia, and I fell in love with the song "Nightminds." It is a beautiful song - very raw and emotional and Missy's voice is truly haunting. Then I listened to a few of her other songs on Amazon and bought the CD thinking that it was going to be a good album, but I was sorely mistaken because this CD is PHENOMENAL!
The first time I listened to the entire CD I liked it and thought her voice was pretty in an unusual sort of way and that her lyrics were interesting. However the music just grew on me and within three or four times listening to the album I have discovered so much more than just a talented singer/songwriter. Ms. Higgins is a musical genius, capable of tapping into every sort of human emotion, with a voice and likabilty that will surely make her a huge star. One a selfish level, I wish I could keep this CD as my little secret, but its just too incredible not to tell everyone about.
I would recommend this CD to anyone with an interest in really great and original music. Also, she's won't just appeal to women - my husband loves the CD as well.
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