Don't Look Away

Kate Voegele

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 22, 2008)
• Original Release Date: May 22, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Myspace Records
• ASIN: B0011367SO
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,558 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The musical landscape is teeming with singer/songwriters, many of them quite capable, but only a handful have something truly distinctive to offer. Kate Voegele belongs in the latter category. Don't Look Away, Voegele's first full-length album (MySpace Records), is a revelation, as the 20-year-old writer/singer, belying her tender years, delivers songs of depth and insight with a powerfully seductive voice that maintains a fierce presence amid dynamic rock grooves and infectious pop hooks. Produced by the veteran Marshall Altman (Matt Nathanson, Mark Broussard), Don't Look Away is a bravura effort from an old soul with a youthful spirit; think of her album as a female parallel to John Mayer's Room for Squares--at once a zeitgeist-capturing landmark and the launchpad for a viable career.

The tracks range from the rootsy acoustic ballad "Wish You Were," with its mandolin and accordion filigree, and the sparse, piano-based "Kindly Unspoken" to the widescreen heartbreak anthem "Only Fooling Myself" and the ironically titled "It's Only Life," a soaring expression of female empowerment, which Voegele describes as "a motivational, uplifting song about dealing with situations rather than trying to hide from them." "One Way or Another" is an edgy rocker about romantic victimization, while the punchy "Chicago," she says, "is a metaphorical representation of any kind of escape, about just needing to get away. The line at the end of the chorus is, `I'll be on the seven o'clock to Chicago,' so it refers to a specific city, but it's universally applicable."

While the concerns Voegele touches on in her songs are contemporary, her sensibility is deeply rooted. Growing up surrounded by the music of seminal singer/songwriters like Carole King, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and Eric Clapton, thanks to her musician father, Voegele absorbed everything she heard as if by osmosis, and began writing her own songs at 15. "It's my personal goal to continue the standard set by those before me," she says of her timeless approach. "No matter how a song develops, my main goal is to reach people, because there were so many musicians who spoke to me, and still do, to help me to deal with situations. It's so easy nowadays with all the technology for people to fake it. For me, it's just so important that the true musical talent and passion for the songs be there."

Poised, beautiful, armed with unforgettable songs and a voice to match, Kate Voegele is on the brink of something big!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I have been outdone by my own kind, April 6, 2008

By	incubus1 - See all my reviews

Here's another artist to watch...

Changing it up from all the female singers able to play piano, Kate brings back the guitar! Since Kate can play the guitar, most of the songs on her debut, Don't Look Away, are pretty rocking for the most part.

Aside from the guitar playing, what separates Kate from every other female singer-songwriter hitting it big this year? Her voice. Strong? Definitely. Different? Oh yeah. Kate's voice is full, demanding, and she's not afraid to use it to her advantage. Too often singers sound good just backed by a piano but put them in front of a full band and they fall flat. Kate doesn't have that problem. I wouldn't find it hard to believe if someone didn't love her voice as much as I though.

As for the songs themselves, you'll be hardpressed to find a track you don't like. Each has its own distinctive sound and feel. Lyrically, she covers topics every young person covers...relationships. Nothing new, I know, but she tackles the topics tastefully and with grace. I Get It, Only Fooling Myself, and No Good are the songs that prove this the best and fastest, though by no means are they the only good tracks inlcuded.

I do have to note who her record label is...MySpace Records. I know for a fact they deal primarily with 'emo' acts so to see them branching out and signing an artist as talented as Kate Voegele is a nice thing to see. Now if they'd just stop wasting money siging 'emo' bands...

My favorite songs are I Get It, Only Fooling Myself, One Way Or Another, No Good, and Devil In Me. Kate Voegele is easily listenable, to the point where you can reach for Don't Look Away at any time and be completely satisfied, which is always a good thing. Plus, she's got a sound all her own, so if you're looking for something new..BOOM! Kate Voegele might be just up your alley.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gifted Artist Well Beyond Her Years, February 27, 2008

By	Michael Yovkovich - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Don't be fooled by her age, Kate Voegele is no spring chicken when it comes to the music industry. Signed by MySpace Records last year, Voegele began recording her first full length album, the resultant "Don't Look Away," a follow-up to two independently released EP's entitled "The Other Side" (2003) and "Louder Than Words" (2005). Voegele began making her mark opening shows for artists like Josh Kelley, The Wreckers, Stephen Kellogg, and a host of others over the past five years. Armed in most cases with nothing more than an acoustic guitar, Kate Voegele demanded attention on stage with her amazing voice and powerful lyrics. This debut album furthers her maturation process as an artist and shows that this songstress is ready to make a permanent mark in the industry that she loves.

For the ITunes fan, can't miss downloads are:

12. Wish You Were
"Cuz I've seen your act, and I know all the facts.
I'm still in love with who I wish you were.
It ain't hard to see, who you are underneath,
I'm still in love with who I wish you were."

11. I Won't Disagree (a song that Voegele received first prize in the 2005 USA Songwriting Competition for)
"Cause lately you make me weaker in the knees
And race through my veins baby every time you're close to me
Take me away to places I ain't seen
They say you've got a hold on me'
And I Won't Disagree"

Kate has also landed a recurring role on the WB's "One Tree Hill." Her character Mia has performed several of the songs on the show that you can find right here on this album. If you're a fan of the songs you've heard on the show, this album is a must have that you'll definitely enjoy from start to finish.

This is a strong debut effort from an extremely talented young lady. Kate Voegele will be a name to look out for in the music business for many years to come. Congrats Kate, You truly are on "Top of the World."

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Next Big Star, March 5, 2008

By	C. G. - See all my reviews

Kate Voegele is currently on the CW's "One Tree Hill." After watching a few episodes with her songs featured in them, I finally decided to buy her CD.

Her music is heart-felt, memorable, and upbeat! Assuming you have not heard her music, the best way to compare is thinking of Shakira and Michelle Branch combining their vocals! Kate's voice is fresh and naturally, her lyrics are thoughtful.

Kate has the potential to continue creating music and gathering an audience. She is quite natural as a performer on "One Tree Hill," and her music further justifies this matter. The hardest thing about listening to her music for the first time is NOT pressing the "restart" button after each song.