Album: The Ol' Razzle Dazzle
Artist: Missy Higgins
Label: Eleven
Released: June 1, 2012
Peak chart position/sales: (AUS) #1, Gold (NZ) #24 (US) #83
RATING: 3.5/5 stars
Rare is the artist who does not admit that their work is inspired by something Other: divine intervention, a muse, some unexplained inspiration that arrives during excessive alcohol consumption...the musician's acknowledgements are often strange and varied. But just as mysteriously as it benefits, so does the muse desert its patrons at the drop of a hat. Some, faced with...well...nothing, say "thanks for the memories" and go back to their day jobs. Others borrow heartache and poetry and hope their audience won't notice the emotional fraud. Missy Higgins? Well she decided to write about...how she had nothing to write about.
Writer's block is not the most poetic of subjects, but as Higgins begs "Melody, all I want is to remember/ What came before this winter" the sweetly lifting chorus of opening track "Set Me On Fire" blossoms into a heartfelt ode to music that is anything but stilted. Likewise, the burst of frustration that is "Hello Hello" sets off the ironically aloof "Unashamed Desire" in a chain of perplexed self-analysis and insecure questioning. The heartbreaking vulnerability of "Everyone's Waiting" (by far the masterpiece of the album) precedes the conclusion to the angst: the remorsefully hopeful "All In My Head". We can breathe easy now - Missy's therapy is over and the rest of the album is free to explore new territory.
In contrast to the intimate acoustic vibe of On A Clear Night, Higgins opts for a much bolder sound on this album. Forced, perhaps, to pull every trick out of the bag, The Ol' Razzle Dazzle contains an important development amongst the recycled musical content: Higgins' voice. Opting for a sweeter, soaring style in contrast to her previous gutsy drawl, she explores her full vocal range with more confidence than on previous albums and produces surprisingly soulful wails that we didn't realise she was capable of. Although the music sometimes sinks to disappointing standards ("Temporary Love" is surprisingly generic pop and the unremarkable "If I'm Honest" induces yawns), the heavy blues on "Watering Hole" and Higgins' newfound vocal confidence redeems the musical integrity somewhat with the addition of a few pleasant surprises.
In contrast to the intimate acoustic vibe of On A Clear Night, Higgins opts for a much bolder sound on this album. Forced, perhaps, to pull every trick out of the bag, The Ol' Razzle Dazzle contains an important development amongst the recycled musical content: Higgins' voice. Opting for a sweeter, soaring style in contrast to her previous gutsy drawl, she explores her full vocal range with more confidence than on previous albums and produces surprisingly soulful wails that we didn't realise she was capable of. Although the music sometimes sinks to disappointing standards ("Temporary Love" is surprisingly generic pop and the unremarkable "If I'm Honest" induces yawns), the heavy blues on "Watering Hole" and Higgins' newfound vocal confidence redeems the musical integrity somewhat with the addition of a few pleasant surprises.
Despite some welcome experimentation and pleasingly catchy tunes, the album does feel a little bloated at 12 full-length tracks (14 if you include iTunes bonus track "World Gone Mad" and exclusive pre-order extra "Link In The Chain")...particularly as songwriting angst is the subject of most of them. But such a brave re-entry is a credit to Missy, clearly she has more to offer, and let's be honest: it's good to have her back.
Is it worth my $$$? - Those who have been by Missy's side since the days of "Scar" might choke a little on the distinct dance influence in some of the numbers, but will probably want this in their collection nonetheless. The album fails to convince entirely as a whole however, tempting me with standout tracks rather than the complete set list.
No comments:
Post a Comment
So that was my opinion...what's yours? :)