Lise Liddell - In the Wake
FolkWax Rating: 9 out of 10
Of Love and Complications
July 7,2005
By j. Terrill
It's a rare occasion that I hear an album and go, "Freakin' A! That's fantastic!" Yet that's exactly how I felt after listening to Lise Liddell's newest album, In The Wake. With her sweet vocals, complex emotions, and moody instruments, Liddell has created an album that speaks from the heart without reverting to corny expressions and silly metaphors (most of the time). It's quite likely a perfect album for people who thrive on living complicated lifestyles, but are able to reflect upon the tragedies with which they surround themselves; and for those who like their Country-Folk music with a bit of a bite. It all comes down to the lyrics. While the music is very well written with the help of Australian producer, Michael Flanders, it's the words that Liddell sings that slam you in the gut. On the very first song, "Break My Body," you hear her sing, "If I could smoke you away/Drink you away, sex you away/It would be worth the price I'd pay." That's honest emotion if I ever heard it. Thing is, most people just aren't willing to speak so truthfully. But Lise Liddell does. The best comparison to another musician that comes to mind is Leonard Cohen. No, the two sound nothing like each other. Lise's pure feminine sound and the music's modern Country twang sound like nothing you would hear from Cohen, but they both draw from that well of raw emotion and painful candor that far too few artists are capable of reaching. That's what In The Wake thrives on. The music within also has a striking diversity of sound. Of the ballads my favorites are "Decade Down the Line," "Home," and "If I Turn Up Dead." There's simply something about them that makes me feel for her pain; that, or makes me feel sorry for my own woes. Her more up-tempo songs, "Just a Little," "Don't You Tell Me My Life," and "Cream," infuse an oh-so-subtle hint of Pop that makes it sound unique rather than spoon-fed Top Forty. At this time, In the Wake is nearly impossible to get your hands on unless you happen to go to one of her shows (which I highly recommend), but that should be changing some time soon. In the meantime, I suggest you get your hands on her earlier album, Lover's Moon, to fill your longing for sorrowful sounds until her latest becomes widely available. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to turn the lights real low and go sulk happily to the sweet songs of Lise Liddell again. What better way is there to ponder the sadness that is?
article source:
This review originally ran in FolkWax on July 7, 2005
j. Terrill is an associate editor at FolkWax
Copyright Visionation, Ltd 2005. All Rights Reserved with limited rights offered to artist and their agents for publicity purposes only with proper citation to FolkWax, FolkWax.com, or www.folkwax.com.
FolkWax is the largest weekly Folk publication in the world. It is delivered via email to more than 50,000 subscribers around the world each week. It is only sent to subscribers and maintains a strict privacy policy and never shares its subscribers' information; just Folk in your box each week. You may subscribe at www.folkwax.com. For further information contact folkwax@visnat.com or call 515.440.0610.
Visionation. Ltd. is the publisher of Blues Revue, BluesWax, FolkWax, and Blues Revue. Information at www.visnat.com or 515.440.0610.
FolkWax Rating: 9 out of 10
Of Love and Complications
July 7,2005
By j. Terrill
It's a rare occasion that I hear an album and go, "Freakin' A! That's fantastic!" Yet that's exactly how I felt after listening to Lise Liddell's newest album, In The Wake. With her sweet vocals, complex emotions, and moody instruments, Liddell has created an album that speaks from the heart without reverting to corny expressions and silly metaphors (most of the time). It's quite likely a perfect album for people who thrive on living complicated lifestyles, but are able to reflect upon the tragedies with which they surround themselves; and for those who like their Country-Folk music with a bit of a bite. It all comes down to the lyrics. While the music is very well written with the help of Australian producer, Michael Flanders, it's the words that Liddell sings that slam you in the gut. On the very first song, "Break My Body," you hear her sing, "If I could smoke you away/Drink you away, sex you away/It would be worth the price I'd pay." That's honest emotion if I ever heard it. Thing is, most people just aren't willing to speak so truthfully. But Lise Liddell does. The best comparison to another musician that comes to mind is Leonard Cohen. No, the two sound nothing like each other. Lise's pure feminine sound and the music's modern Country twang sound like nothing you would hear from Cohen, but they both draw from that well of raw emotion and painful candor that far too few artists are capable of reaching. That's what In The Wake thrives on. The music within also has a striking diversity of sound. Of the ballads my favorites are "Decade Down the Line," "Home," and "If I Turn Up Dead." There's simply something about them that makes me feel for her pain; that, or makes me feel sorry for my own woes. Her more up-tempo songs, "Just a Little," "Don't You Tell Me My Life," and "Cream," infuse an oh-so-subtle hint of Pop that makes it sound unique rather than spoon-fed Top Forty. At this time, In the Wake is nearly impossible to get your hands on unless you happen to go to one of her shows (which I highly recommend), but that should be changing some time soon. In the meantime, I suggest you get your hands on her earlier album, Lover's Moon, to fill your longing for sorrowful sounds until her latest becomes widely available. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to turn the lights real low and go sulk happily to the sweet songs of Lise Liddell again. What better way is there to ponder the sadness that is?
article source:
This review originally ran in FolkWax on July 7, 2005
j. Terrill is an associate editor at FolkWax
Copyright Visionation, Ltd 2005. All Rights Reserved with limited rights offered to artist and their agents for publicity purposes only with proper citation to FolkWax, FolkWax.com, or www.folkwax.com.
FolkWax is the largest weekly Folk publication in the world. It is delivered via email to more than 50,000 subscribers around the world each week. It is only sent to subscribers and maintains a strict privacy policy and never shares its subscribers' information; just Folk in your box each week. You may subscribe at www.folkwax.com. For further information contact folkwax@visnat.com or call 515.440.0610.
Visionation. Ltd. is the publisher of Blues Revue, BluesWax, FolkWax, and Blues Revue. Information at www.visnat.com or 515.440.0610.
