Singer/songwriter Michelle Branch’s take on country music could possibly introduce the genre to a whole new fan base.
The “Breathe” singer along with Nashville singer/songwriter Jessica Harp, formed The Wreckers and the band’s debut CD “Stand Still”, “Look Pretty” (Maverick Records) does explore country music with the addition of pop.
The 12-track, John Leventhal produced album is as good as country has ever sounded and those who aren’t fans of the genre will change their minds once this CD is in their respective stereo.
The lead single, “Leave the Pieces” has that signature Nashville sound with a double guitar played by both Branch and Harp.
The song is appealing with is catchy phrase of, “There’s nothing you can do or say/You’re gonna break my heart anyway/So just leave the pieces when you go.”
The chorus line itself is what makes the song a success, and throughout the album Branch and Harp combine acoustic guitars to an art form, begging the question, “What took so long for those two singers to come together?”
Harp, who is not well known yet but otherwise beginning to have name recognition, is the lead singer throughout the album, but as Branch blends into where she has her input it makes a person who is not a fan of country, be a fan altogether; it’s music that will and continues to grow.
If the track “Rain” is any indication of the overall album or the music itself, not only can Branch and Harp create country music that is enjoyable, but they can transition in a ballad as well.
Written by Branch, “Rain” expresses the feeling of being the quiet one in a relationship and with lyrics such as “Yeah, I wanna know/’Cause I don’t think I can take much more/Rain/You must be sick or something,” she was able to create a quality that is both romantic and heartfelt.
However, not to be outdone, credit should also be given to Leventhal who played guitar, mandolin, and percussion, and also to band member John Shanks who provided additional instrumentation of the same.
If you have never given a thought to country music before and only think that country music is for those who are cowboys, this album will change your mind.
Not only will it change your mind about the music in general but it will give you the opportunity to be open to music that perhaps was not appealing to you before because in the end a CD will be played over and over again.