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"The Spirit Room"
My Review:
1.Everwhere
Definitely the strongest song on the album, and one of my favorites. With it's upbeat, melodic charm no wonder it's one of michelle's more widely known songs. Favorite Lyric:"'Cause you're everywhere to me and when I catch my breath it's you I breathe". I give it 5 out of 5.
2.You Get Me
This song has a much different feel to it then most of Michelle's other songs. One of my least favorites, but still great! favorite Lyric: "I am all you want, they just read me wrong". I give it 3 out of 5.\
3. All You Wanted
Great song, and it's finally getting the recognition it deserves. Very powerful lyrics and great tune. Another one of my favorites. Favorite Lyric:"I'm sinking slowly, so hurry hold me. You're hand is all I have to keep me hanging on". I give it 5 out of 5.
4.You Set Me Free
Good song, but not one of my favorites.Catchy tune and great lyrics though! Favorite Lyric:"I wanted to fly so you gave me your wings and time held it's breath so I could see you set me free" I give it 4 out of 5.
5. Something to Sleep to
My absolute favorite Michelle Branch song.Powerful lyrics, great tune, great theme. What else is there to say? Favorite Lyric: "She's his yellow brick road leading him on and letting him go as far as she lets him go going down to nowhere." I give it 5 out of 5.
6.Here With Me
Good song, not one of my favorites. good lyrics though. Favorite Lyric:"It's been a long, long time since I looked into the mirror. I guess that I was blind, now my reflection's getting clearer".I give it 4 out of 5.
7. Sweet Misery
Great Song. I like the tune.Favorite Lyric:"I was blind but oh how you could see. You saw the beauty in everything, everything and me." I give it 4 out of 5.
8.If Only She Knew<
Good song, not one of my favorites. Very Upbeat and good lyrics. Favorite Lyric:"I know she loves you and I can't interfere, so I'll just have to sit back and watch my world dissapear."I give it 3 out of 5.
9.I'd Rather be in Love
One of my favorites. Very powerful . Great song!Favorite Lyric:"Turn off the lights now, to see is to believe. I just want you near me. Just want you here with me." I give it 5 out of 5.
10. Goodbye to you
Great song. Very emotional. Favorite Lyric:"Closing my eyes and you chase my thoughts away to a place where I am blinded by the light, but it's not right." I give it 5 out of 5.
11. "Drop in the Ocean
Very cool song.Very meaningful and heartfelt. Favorite Lyric: I was drifting away like a drop in the ocean, but now I realize that nothing has been as beautiful as when I saw heaven's skies in your eyes" I give it 4 out of 5.>
Over All
GREAT ALBUM!I give it 4 and a half out of 5.
Coming Soon: My review of Michelle's Indie album, "Broken Bracelet"
Other Reviews
Barnes and Noble's Review of "The Spirit Room":
You have to keep reminding yourself that 2001 newcomer Michelle Branch is only 17 years old when listening to her worthy pop/rock debut The Spirit Room. The 11-track set showcases this precocious artist on guitar (electric and acoustic) and a substantial vocal presence that blends innocence, passion, vulnerability, yearning, intensity, and tenderness all in one voice. She also has a knack for crafting melodic vocal leads, which further define her infectious sound. However, what truly shines through are the young musician's lyrics -- she handles much of the songwriting -- which are some of the most open, simple, and idealistic ruminations on love to drop in 2001. It's no surprise that the disc's first single release, the lively and heartfelt "Everywhere" -- with its electric-guitar power chords, spirited vocal delivery, and catchy chorus -- spread like wildfire on the radio. Elsewhere, the sugary mid-tempo rock ballad "You Get Me" is an endearing and clever spin on the romantic pairing of two misfits. There's nothing more fulfilling and powerful than having the unconditional understanding, acceptance, and love of another, particularly for those a bit "left of center," as the song explains, and Branch well captures the essence of this life treasure. The album's most captivating moment is the mesmerizing "Drop in the Ocean," which, to be sure, symbolizes Branch's Spirit Room. On it her voice, backed by slow and building synth chords, departs from its usual energetic sound and becomes throaty, deep, and ethereal. And Branch's lyrics -- "Love took me by the hand/love took me by surprise/love led me to you/and love opened up my eyes/I was drifting away like a drop in the ocean, now I realize/that nothing has been as beautiful as when I saw heaven's skies/in your eyes" -- take the musical depiction of love to a spiritual level, and that doesn't happen often in contemporary pop/rock, particularly not by a 17 year old. Of note is producer John Shanks' (Stevie Nicks, Melissa Etheridge, and BBMak, among others) great mix; textured backing vocals and overdubs, and a creative use of drum machines, modern beat sounds, and turntables set to a backdrop of rock music, puts a fresh spin on the genre. No doubt, Branch is an artist with a bright future, and that's lucky for music listeners. She has enough spirit to fill not just one room, but many.
CD Now's Review of "The Spirit Room":
August 9, 2001One of the biggest challenges in crafting worthy guitar pop is how to make it sound fresh, but not too sugary. At a mere 18, Michelle Branch seems to have already solved that conundrum. Rife with hooky melodies that sport a radio-friendly vibe more akin to, say, Juliana Hatfield than to the current spate of kiddie popsters, The Spirit Room reminds listeners that sing-along songs need not involve bubble gum and choreography.
Branch relies mostly on strummed electric guitars and layered vocal harmonies to deliver her tightly coiled punches, while the occasional ballad (most notably, the stately finale, "Drop in the Ocean") evidences a songwriter wise beyond her years.
Perhaps best of all, she sings in a voice that's girlish, but not overly cute (think Nina Gordon, with a pinch of Alanis), which gives her sprightly compositions an affecting charm.
My Review:
1.Everwhere
Definitely the strongest song on the album, and one of my favorites. With it's upbeat, melodic charm no wonder it's one of michelle's more widely known songs. Favorite Lyric:"'Cause you're everywhere to me and when I catch my breath it's you I breathe". I give it 5 out of 5.
2.You Get Me
This song has a much different feel to it then most of Michelle's other songs. One of my least favorites, but still great! favorite Lyric: "I am all you want, they just read me wrong". I give it 3 out of 5.\
3. All You Wanted
Great song, and it's finally getting the recognition it deserves. Very powerful lyrics and great tune. Another one of my favorites. Favorite Lyric:"I'm sinking slowly, so hurry hold me. You're hand is all I have to keep me hanging on". I give it 5 out of 5.
4.You Set Me Free
Good song, but not one of my favorites.Catchy tune and great lyrics though! Favorite Lyric:"I wanted to fly so you gave me your wings and time held it's breath so I could see you set me free" I give it 4 out of 5.
5. Something to Sleep to
My absolute favorite Michelle Branch song.Powerful lyrics, great tune, great theme. What else is there to say? Favorite Lyric: "She's his yellow brick road leading him on and letting him go as far as she lets him go going down to nowhere." I give it 5 out of 5.
6.Here With Me
Good song, not one of my favorites. good lyrics though. Favorite Lyric:"It's been a long, long time since I looked into the mirror. I guess that I was blind, now my reflection's getting clearer".I give it 4 out of 5.
7. Sweet Misery
Great Song. I like the tune.Favorite Lyric:"I was blind but oh how you could see. You saw the beauty in everything, everything and me." I give it 4 out of 5.
8.If Only She Knew<
Good song, not one of my favorites. Very Upbeat and good lyrics. Favorite Lyric:"I know she loves you and I can't interfere, so I'll just have to sit back and watch my world dissapear."I give it 3 out of 5.
9.I'd Rather be in Love
One of my favorites. Very powerful . Great song!Favorite Lyric:"Turn off the lights now, to see is to believe. I just want you near me. Just want you here with me." I give it 5 out of 5.
10. Goodbye to you
Great song. Very emotional. Favorite Lyric:"Closing my eyes and you chase my thoughts away to a place where I am blinded by the light, but it's not right." I give it 5 out of 5.
11. "Drop in the Ocean
Very cool song.Very meaningful and heartfelt. Favorite Lyric: I was drifting away like a drop in the ocean, but now I realize that nothing has been as beautiful as when I saw heaven's skies in your eyes" I give it 4 out of 5.>
Over All
GREAT ALBUM!I give it 4 and a half out of 5.
Coming Soon: My review of Michelle's Indie album, "Broken Bracelet"
Other Reviews
Barnes and Noble's Review of "The Spirit Room":
You have to keep reminding yourself that 2001 newcomer Michelle Branch is only 17 years old when listening to her worthy pop/rock debut The Spirit Room. The 11-track set showcases this precocious artist on guitar (electric and acoustic) and a substantial vocal presence that blends innocence, passion, vulnerability, yearning, intensity, and tenderness all in one voice. She also has a knack for crafting melodic vocal leads, which further define her infectious sound. However, what truly shines through are the young musician's lyrics -- she handles much of the songwriting -- which are some of the most open, simple, and idealistic ruminations on love to drop in 2001. It's no surprise that the disc's first single release, the lively and heartfelt "Everywhere" -- with its electric-guitar power chords, spirited vocal delivery, and catchy chorus -- spread like wildfire on the radio. Elsewhere, the sugary mid-tempo rock ballad "You Get Me" is an endearing and clever spin on the romantic pairing of two misfits. There's nothing more fulfilling and powerful than having the unconditional understanding, acceptance, and love of another, particularly for those a bit "left of center," as the song explains, and Branch well captures the essence of this life treasure. The album's most captivating moment is the mesmerizing "Drop in the Ocean," which, to be sure, symbolizes Branch's Spirit Room. On it her voice, backed by slow and building synth chords, departs from its usual energetic sound and becomes throaty, deep, and ethereal. And Branch's lyrics -- "Love took me by the hand/love took me by surprise/love led me to you/and love opened up my eyes/I was drifting away like a drop in the ocean, now I realize/that nothing has been as beautiful as when I saw heaven's skies/in your eyes" -- take the musical depiction of love to a spiritual level, and that doesn't happen often in contemporary pop/rock, particularly not by a 17 year old. Of note is producer John Shanks' (Stevie Nicks, Melissa Etheridge, and BBMak, among others) great mix; textured backing vocals and overdubs, and a creative use of drum machines, modern beat sounds, and turntables set to a backdrop of rock music, puts a fresh spin on the genre. No doubt, Branch is an artist with a bright future, and that's lucky for music listeners. She has enough spirit to fill not just one room, but many.
CD Now's Review of "The Spirit Room":
August 9, 2001One of the biggest challenges in crafting worthy guitar pop is how to make it sound fresh, but not too sugary. At a mere 18, Michelle Branch seems to have already solved that conundrum. Rife with hooky melodies that sport a radio-friendly vibe more akin to, say, Juliana Hatfield than to the current spate of kiddie popsters, The Spirit Room reminds listeners that sing-along songs need not involve bubble gum and choreography.
Branch relies mostly on strummed electric guitars and layered vocal harmonies to deliver her tightly coiled punches, while the occasional ballad (most notably, the stately finale, "Drop in the Ocean") evidences a songwriter wise beyond her years.
Perhaps best of all, she sings in a voice that's girlish, but not overly cute (think Nina Gordon, with a pinch of Alanis), which gives her sprightly compositions an affecting charm.