It only takes a few seconds of the acoustic guitar plucking - that finger dance songwriters sweep listeners off their feet with - to know that the song one is about to hear is effervescent. That first song is "This Love Won't Break Your Heart" and it is from Austin, Texas' Annalise Emerick's CD Starry-Eyed. Aptly-named and incredibly entertaining, the first track is just one of the highlights on this comforting collection.
Listener Transformed Into Her Story
Now, back to that acoustic guitar. As the strings crack, Emerick's voice sings as if she is in the room next to the listener - no headphones intercept, no audio distorts. It is just her and the listener is transformed into her story. "This Love Won't Break Your Heart" is about New Year's Day. So high with hopes, so boozed and so loving. Emerick weaves the words to "Auld Lang Syne" into her prose.
As the CD progresses, the tracks continue to creep inside the listener's heart. At times it does feel as if her range is restricted, but at other times the listener feels strapped into this Indie folk/rock carousel. Her voice in "Time of Day" is so beautiful it floats along like the light she sings so poetically about. The listener feels it.
Near Bluegrass
In "You Win" the banjo makes a subtle entrance. The acoustic guitar strikes its presence in this boastful taunt. Emerick's voice speaks with her consistently feathery fount. This song feels like summer. The chorus "dear old music city...you win" trips up the listener and falls into a tight, near bluegrass jaunt.
In "Round and Round" the production value is once again top-notch. The orchestration that Emerick pulls from seems to incorporate bluegrass, folk, Americana and a bit of Indie rock. This is another outstanding track. Emerick's subtle nuances capture the listener.
Overall CD Review is A+
Overall, this CD garners a solid A+ ranking. As a listener - there really is nothing to not like about the seven tracks on Starry-Eyed. The comparisons to Regina Spektor's vocals are eery; but what really makes Emerick different is her warmth. She has this sunny disposition to her - her words are not only heart-felt and honest, the listener truly has empathy. This writer became blindsided by the unusual energy emitting from the lyrics and arrangements.
Emerick's voice is fascinating and enchanting.
Fans of Regina Spektor, Brad Hoshaw & The Seven Deadlies, Rilo Kiley, Kate Nash, Ingrid Michaelson, Malvina Reynolds will want to take a listen to Annalise Emerick's Starry-Eyed.
Melissa Kucirek - Melissa L. Kucirek M.A. University of Nebraska - Omaha (2004) B.A. University of Nebraska - Omaha (2001) I'm a freelance writer ...
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