Michelle Branch and The Wreckers
Okay, instead of doing a list of consecutive reviews of all Jewel's albums, I've decided to break it up a bit. So tonight, finally got a chance to update and am in the need to talk about...MICHELLE BRANCH!
In short, Michelle Branch, born Sedona Arizona 1983, began playing the guitar when she was about 14, immediately began writing songs and formed a band called 'Pineapple Upsidedown' with friend Jennifer Hagio. Setting out on her own, at about 16 Michelle got a big break appearing on Sedona's local 'artists to watch' style showcase program. This performance is available to download, somewhere...I think I have it, and if I do, I'll be back to upload it a.s.a.p., as it is an incredible performance. Around this time, Michelle also produced an independent record, Broken Bracelet. The title came from a bracelet given to her at a show by Lisa Loeb perhaps (sorry, bad memory) - reportedly made by the wonderful Jewel - Michelle was told that when the bracelet broke, 'her time would have come', so to speak. Indeed, very soon after...
Michelle got herself 'into' the industry proper by chasing her soon to be manager Jeff with a golf cart I seem to recall the story going?!! From there, she was picked to open for Hanson on their This Time Around Tour (c.2000) and thankfully, was signed up by a Maverick exec. who'd been in the audience.
Teaming up with John Shanks, Michelle stomped out her debut studio album, The Spirit Room, on which she dared to write and play the songs that she wanted. With the slick production talent of John Shanks, Michelle managed to convince record execs that, although she didn't dance or wear short skirts like Britney, her songs were real and would appeal to REAL PEOPLE (with taste!). And thank god the label took a chance...
The debut single off Spirit Room, 'Everywhere', must have been heard by most around the world in 2001/2. The song was MASSIVE stateside and also reached a modestly comfortable chart position here in the UK (something makes me think it got to about 14?). Performances on Top of the Pops, CD:UK, Popworld soon followed, as did her second single, All You Wanted. Whilst not as successful in Europe, the single was yet again massive in the US and ultimately won her the Viewer's Choice award at the 2002 MTV VMAs - the award actually voted for by fans.
Michelle next released the heart-wrenchingly beautiful 'Goodbye To You', the final track off 'Spirit'. Depressingly, this song barely got played on this side of the pond, despite the fact it remains, almost to date, Michelle's best song, for its gut-wrenching lyrics, breath-taking vocals and incredibly beautiful yet simple guitar accompaniment. The video for the single also rocks! Indeed, it was practically played on repeat on the music stations in the US throughout the summer of 2002 and she performed it as part of a medley at the Jingle Ball 2002 Rockefeller centre that Christmas.
Next, came a single that did reasonably well here and was yet another hit in the States, the duet with Carlos Santana 'Game of Love'. Undoubtedly exposing Michelle to a whole new audience, Michelle proceeded to repeat this process by touring with the likes of Sheryl Crow and the Dixie Chicks. She even got to perform at the Grand Ole Oprey (a pretty HUGE deal). Indeed, the Santana song won her a Grammy. Other massive performances that help to demonstrate Michelle's success and the respect she demands included a performance at the Nobel Peace Awards (where she met President Jimmy Carter), Party in the Park London (unfortunately, I felt I was the only person there to see her, but who cares) aswell as all the major US chatshows (Leno, Letterman, The View). She was also a regular on MTV and virtually stuck to the TRL chart rundown for months on end.
Michelle returned with an even better album, 'Hotel Paper', in June 2003. Taking a step further down the country road, Michelle's sophomore album totally outshone her debut effort in its craftsmanship, lyrics and vocals. A bit older and wiser, stories in her songs started to be about real events in her life, rather than stories she'd imagined (which was what songs on 'Spirit' largely consisted of). The best track on the album is the title track, Hotel Paper. It's gut-wrenching and her vocals reach incredibly impressive heights, whilst it was produced by John Leventhal, rather than Shanks, and so sounds much more in-tune with her acoustic-folk nature which is when Michelle is at her best. Other highlights include Tuesday Morning, ( a tale of waking up and realising a relationship is over, however much you wish it wasn't), One of These Days (similar story as before) and 'Till I Get Over You (tragically beautiful).
Unfortunately, Maverick seemed to have a bit of a brain-freeze when it came to promoting Hotel Paper and picking singles off it. The first single was the Alanis-style stomper 'Are You Happy Now'. Undoubtedly a hot hot song, great to kick start the album and yet, it presented Michelle in the Avril/Alanis-style light whereas the rest of the album was more alt. country! Nevertheless, the song was a huge hit in the US (she also earned a Grammy nomination for best femal vocals 2004 with it) and just made it into the top 40 here in the UK - although it was actually top 20 in the mid-week rundown.
Second single, Breathe, was another US hit but was never properly released here. An uplifting 'poppy' Shanks-produced number, it's a great song but again, wasn't taking Michelle in the right direction. The equally (if not more) appealable Finding Your Way Back would have been a much better choice and opened her up as more of the acoustic-folk-pop artist that Michelle really is. This was a huge mistake on Maverick's part. Then, almost redeeming themselves, 'Til I Get Over You was the third and final single from Hotel Paper. However, no video was shot or released to accompany the single (now, given in the States it's all about the video, as singles are barely available in stores, this was a TERRIBLE DECISION on the part of...whoever it was). An amazing song, it never got the chance to reach the audience it should, although she did get to perform it on a couple of shows (Sharon Osbourne's show and the short-lived Ryan Seacrest show).
Michelle seemed to take a bit of a break then, no doubt because she'd gotten engaged to her bassist, Teddy Landau. They married in 2004 and this October, had their first child, a little girl called Owen Isabelle. But Michelle has not disappeared!!!!
Quite the opposite, she's finished a new album with her sideproject, The Wreckers, a country-rock infused duo consisting of Michelle and her long-time friend, Nashville-born Jessica Harp. Jessica could be seen on tour with Michelle throughout 2003/4 and their debut album, 'Stand Still, Look Pretty', shall hopefully be out early 2005...so long as Maverick pull their fingers out ;o)
In the meantime, visit your local Gap store and hear Michelle's rendition of David Bowie's 'Life On Mars' as it ROCKS, or pick up Santana's new album for another duet with him and Michelle, 'I'm Feelin' You'. It's nothing fantastic, but it's still new Branch material, and that seems to be fewer and further between these day. I'll be posting MP3s asap...
In short, Michelle Branch, born Sedona Arizona 1983, began playing the guitar when she was about 14, immediately began writing songs and formed a band called 'Pineapple Upsidedown' with friend Jennifer Hagio. Setting out on her own, at about 16 Michelle got a big break appearing on Sedona's local 'artists to watch' style showcase program. This performance is available to download, somewhere...I think I have it, and if I do, I'll be back to upload it a.s.a.p., as it is an incredible performance. Around this time, Michelle also produced an independent record, Broken Bracelet. The title came from a bracelet given to her at a show by Lisa Loeb perhaps (sorry, bad memory) - reportedly made by the wonderful Jewel - Michelle was told that when the bracelet broke, 'her time would have come', so to speak. Indeed, very soon after...
Michelle got herself 'into' the industry proper by chasing her soon to be manager Jeff with a golf cart I seem to recall the story going?!! From there, she was picked to open for Hanson on their This Time Around Tour (c.2000) and thankfully, was signed up by a Maverick exec. who'd been in the audience.
Teaming up with John Shanks, Michelle stomped out her debut studio album, The Spirit Room, on which she dared to write and play the songs that she wanted. With the slick production talent of John Shanks, Michelle managed to convince record execs that, although she didn't dance or wear short skirts like Britney, her songs were real and would appeal to REAL PEOPLE (with taste!). And thank god the label took a chance...
The debut single off Spirit Room, 'Everywhere', must have been heard by most around the world in 2001/2. The song was MASSIVE stateside and also reached a modestly comfortable chart position here in the UK (something makes me think it got to about 14?). Performances on Top of the Pops, CD:UK, Popworld soon followed, as did her second single, All You Wanted. Whilst not as successful in Europe, the single was yet again massive in the US and ultimately won her the Viewer's Choice award at the 2002 MTV VMAs - the award actually voted for by fans.
Michelle next released the heart-wrenchingly beautiful 'Goodbye To You', the final track off 'Spirit'. Depressingly, this song barely got played on this side of the pond, despite the fact it remains, almost to date, Michelle's best song, for its gut-wrenching lyrics, breath-taking vocals and incredibly beautiful yet simple guitar accompaniment. The video for the single also rocks! Indeed, it was practically played on repeat on the music stations in the US throughout the summer of 2002 and she performed it as part of a medley at the Jingle Ball 2002 Rockefeller centre that Christmas.
Next, came a single that did reasonably well here and was yet another hit in the States, the duet with Carlos Santana 'Game of Love'. Undoubtedly exposing Michelle to a whole new audience, Michelle proceeded to repeat this process by touring with the likes of Sheryl Crow and the Dixie Chicks. She even got to perform at the Grand Ole Oprey (a pretty HUGE deal). Indeed, the Santana song won her a Grammy. Other massive performances that help to demonstrate Michelle's success and the respect she demands included a performance at the Nobel Peace Awards (where she met President Jimmy Carter), Party in the Park London (unfortunately, I felt I was the only person there to see her, but who cares) aswell as all the major US chatshows (Leno, Letterman, The View). She was also a regular on MTV and virtually stuck to the TRL chart rundown for months on end.
Michelle returned with an even better album, 'Hotel Paper', in June 2003. Taking a step further down the country road, Michelle's sophomore album totally outshone her debut effort in its craftsmanship, lyrics and vocals. A bit older and wiser, stories in her songs started to be about real events in her life, rather than stories she'd imagined (which was what songs on 'Spirit' largely consisted of). The best track on the album is the title track, Hotel Paper. It's gut-wrenching and her vocals reach incredibly impressive heights, whilst it was produced by John Leventhal, rather than Shanks, and so sounds much more in-tune with her acoustic-folk nature which is when Michelle is at her best. Other highlights include Tuesday Morning, ( a tale of waking up and realising a relationship is over, however much you wish it wasn't), One of These Days (similar story as before) and 'Till I Get Over You (tragically beautiful).
Unfortunately, Maverick seemed to have a bit of a brain-freeze when it came to promoting Hotel Paper and picking singles off it. The first single was the Alanis-style stomper 'Are You Happy Now'. Undoubtedly a hot hot song, great to kick start the album and yet, it presented Michelle in the Avril/Alanis-style light whereas the rest of the album was more alt. country! Nevertheless, the song was a huge hit in the US (she also earned a Grammy nomination for best femal vocals 2004 with it) and just made it into the top 40 here in the UK - although it was actually top 20 in the mid-week rundown.
Second single, Breathe, was another US hit but was never properly released here. An uplifting 'poppy' Shanks-produced number, it's a great song but again, wasn't taking Michelle in the right direction. The equally (if not more) appealable Finding Your Way Back would have been a much better choice and opened her up as more of the acoustic-folk-pop artist that Michelle really is. This was a huge mistake on Maverick's part. Then, almost redeeming themselves, 'Til I Get Over You was the third and final single from Hotel Paper. However, no video was shot or released to accompany the single (now, given in the States it's all about the video, as singles are barely available in stores, this was a TERRIBLE DECISION on the part of...whoever it was). An amazing song, it never got the chance to reach the audience it should, although she did get to perform it on a couple of shows (Sharon Osbourne's show and the short-lived Ryan Seacrest show).
Michelle seemed to take a bit of a break then, no doubt because she'd gotten engaged to her bassist, Teddy Landau. They married in 2004 and this October, had their first child, a little girl called Owen Isabelle. But Michelle has not disappeared!!!!
Quite the opposite, she's finished a new album with her sideproject, The Wreckers, a country-rock infused duo consisting of Michelle and her long-time friend, Nashville-born Jessica Harp. Jessica could be seen on tour with Michelle throughout 2003/4 and their debut album, 'Stand Still, Look Pretty', shall hopefully be out early 2005...so long as Maverick pull their fingers out ;o)
In the meantime, visit your local Gap store and hear Michelle's rendition of David Bowie's 'Life On Mars' as it ROCKS, or pick up Santana's new album for another duet with him and Michelle, 'I'm Feelin' You'. It's nothing fantastic, but it's still new Branch material, and that seems to be fewer and further between these day. I'll be posting MP3s asap...
posted by Hannah Dudley | 10:56 PM
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