Singer/songwriter Brooke White knows a thing or two about recording an album. Therefore, it is no surprise that she excels on her sophomore album, ‘High Hopes & Heartbreak,’ on which she wrote 11 of the album’s 12 songs. The album is the first courtesy of June Baby Records, a label formed by White and ‘American Idol’ judge Randy Jackson.
The track tasked with introducing audiences to ‘Heartbreak’ is the catchy “Radio Radio,” the album’s second single. The song, which was co-penned by White and Dave Cobb, shows the bubbly side of White’s personality that many fell in love with while she was on ‘Idol,’ and the song is without a doubt a feel-good one. This song marks the beginning of the presence of White’s piano talent on the album, which meshes extremely well with the disc’s overall Carole King / Carly Simon sound.
This upbeat, sing-song theme is found elsewhere on ‘Heartbreak,’ most notably on “Phoenix,” which is the closest comparison to material by Carole King on the album. The dated instrumentation works in White’s favor, as it gives the song an eclectic feeling. The album’s title track, “High Hopes & Heartbreak,” is another up-tempo track that fuses seventies influences with a folksy background.
On “California Song,” White invites listeners to sing along and have fun without worrying about getting the lyrics wrong. The incorporation of different elements of California life in the lyrics allows listeners familiar with the state to identify with the song.
The album’s first single, “Hold Up My Heart,” sets a serious tone that allows for White’s vulnerability to shine through, as a story is told through the song’s lyrics (“When I am weak try to always find the best of you and me / but I will always be the one who understands you”) and allows listeners to identify with the feeling of weakness yet retain a sense of hopefulness.
On “Out of the Ashes,” White expounds on the quiet confidence she builds in “Heart” to result in a pretty vocal performance, as she is aided by Steve McEwan’s vocals on harmony. “Little Bird,” which White co-wrote with fellow Season 8 alum Michael Johns and Cobb, is an area where the Carly Simon vibe is felt, and the sound effects added throughout the song give it a laid back feeling.
“When We Were One” is a ballad that features a chorus with a hook, allowing White some leverage as a potential single. The song itself sounds as if it could have been set to any style of music that is in at the moment, but her choice to apply her own style to the song results in a unique and ear-pleasing result that fits right in with the album’s other songs.
White’s strongest effort on the album comes in the form of “Smile,” a sweet, subdued-sounding ballad that has matching lyrics (“It might take a while`/ maybe a couple million miles / until I forget your smile”). The addition of stringed accompaniment that enters near the end of the song adds another aspect that heightens the emotional effect the listener feels. “Sometimes Love” is a close second in terms of quality, as the simplicity of the melody results in a powerful effect on listeners.
‘Heartbreak’s only cover comes as its sixth track, as White tackles Kings of Leon’s hit single “Use Somebody.” The arrangement is obviously very different, but the experiment works quite well.
To close out the album, White advises listeners to “Be Careful” in a nurturing, friendly manner. The stringed accompaniment adds a sense of sentimentality.
The bottom line of ‘High Hopes & Heartbreak’ is the fact that Brooke White possesses a single characteristic that many artists nowadays lack: she knows exactly what kind of artist she was born to be. She is not out to become the next huge pop superstar, instead she is concerned with showing fans that she is confident in the genre of music she records. This confidence shows immensely.
High Hopes & Heartbreak hits stores nationwide tomorrow and is now available to purchase on iTunes.
Showing posts with label radio radio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label radio radio. Show all posts
Monday, July 20, 2009
Album review: Brooke White's 'High Hopes & Heartbreak'
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Out today: Daughtry's 'Leave This Town'
Nearly three years after the band's debut, Daughtry returns today with its sophomore effort Leave This Town. The album, which was produced by Howard Benson, features songs including "September," "You Don't Belong" and its first single, "No Surprise."
Also releasing today on iTunes only is Brooke White's High Hopes & Heartbreak, which will be available everywhere on Tues., July 21. As part of the special one-week offer, fans can also download the music video for Brooke's new single "Radio Radio."
Links to purchase the aforementioned can be found below: 
Albums
Daughtry, Leave This Town
Amazon.com - ($9.99) - Buy
Amazon MP3 - ($9.99 deluxe) - Buy
Best Buy - ($9.99) - Buy
Buy - ($10.98) - Buy
CD Universe - ($14.80) - Buy
DaughtryOfficial.com - ($19.99 deluxe fan pack edition) - Buy
iTunes - ($9.99 standard, $12.99 deluxe) - Buy: standard, deluxe
Sears - ($12.59) - Buy
Target - ($9.99 standard, $13.98 deluxe) - Buy: standard, deluxe
Walmart - ($11.86 standard, $13.88 deluxe) - Buy: standard, deluxe
Brooke White, High Hopes & Heartbreak
iTunes - ($7.99) - Buy
Music Videos
Brooke White, "Radio Radio"
iTunes - (Free) - Buy
The abundance of exclusive material available on the different retail editions of Leave This Town is astounding, as there is no shortage of bonus tracks or music videos to go around. The full list is as follows:
DaughtryOfficial.com: Two bonus tracks ("Long Way" and "One Last Chance"), 11"x17" exclusive double-sided poster
iTunes: Three bonus tracks ("What Have We Become," "Still You On the Inside," "Traffic Light" [pre-order only]), "No Surprise" music video
Target: DVD with six music videos ("It's Not Over," "Home," "Over You," "Feels Like Tonight," "What About Now," "No Surprise")
Walmart: Bonus download of "Get Me Through"
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Out today: Michael Johns' 'Hold Back My Heart'
Today marks the day of the fourth post-Idol release of an LP for a Season 7 alum, as Michael Johns' Hold Back My Heart hits shelves and online music retailers' sites nationwide. The album, which is released courtesy of Downtown Records, features 12 songs including the James Morrison-penned "Heart On My Sleeve."
Also out today is Brooke White's second single "Radio Radio," which is off her forthcoming album High Hopes & Heartbreak, due out Tues., July 21.
Links to purchase the aforementioned can be found below:
Albums
Michael Johns, Hold Back My Heart
Amazon.com - ($11.99) - Buy
Barnes & Noble - ($10.49) - Buy
Best Buy - ($13.99) - Buy
Buy.com - ($10.99) - Buy
iTunes - ($9.99) - Buy
Overstock.com - ($13.29) - Buy
Target - ($11.99) - Buy
Walmart - ($10.00) - Buy
Singles
Brooke White, "Radio Radio"
iTunes - ($0.99) - Buy
Michael's single "Heart On My Sleeve" is currently nearing the Top 20 at Adult Contemporary radio and he will perform a set at the Central Courtyard at Hollywood & Highland on Thurs., June 25 at 7 p.m.
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