:: While browsing in a Tower Records in Nashville last June, I noticed the new album by Rachael Yamagata, Happenstance. I was not aware of her, and decided to listen to a couple tracks. I was impressed and liked what I heard, but didn't buy a copy at that time. When I returned to Edmonton later that week, I was stunned to find a copy in a local record store. It wasn't a title I expected would be distributed up here in the musical backwoods of western Canada.

Rachael Yamagata is from Chicago, and was for many years, a singer in the band, Bumpus. This is her first solo album, and it is a good one. Comparisons have been made to Norah Jones and Fiona Apple. I'm not that familiar with Apple's music, but can confirm that the only similarity between Norah and Rachael is that they both play keyboards, and their voices share a breathy, rich quality. I'd offer that the comparisons should end there. Generally, Yamagata's music rocks much more than Jones, which in no means is a criticism of the latter's style and arrangements. I like Norah Jones' music a lot, and now I can add Rachael Yamagata's music to my list of current favorites.

After listening to the album once, I was hooked on her voice, melodies, and arrangements. She mixes driving, straight-ahead rhythms with a handful of slower, softer songs. She combines rhythms, time signatures (adding a few songs in 3/4 time), and instrumentation; the album is not necessarily keyboard-driven. The theme that runs through her songs is love - I wonder if she is a hopeless romantic in "real life". I'm drawn to melody first, and lyrics second, if at all. Her lyrics pulled me in, something I wasn't expecting at all.

Consider the passion in these words, from the song "I Want You":

You sat down next to me, like poetry to wine
Our window looked upon a yellow neon sign
I took your hand while you decided what to do
The only kiss I ever miss, I shared with you
The other cities hold a memory still of a place
But, when I dream of London, I can only see you face

I want you
Or no one
No one else will do
You, or no one
No one is the only one
to fill the empty space I hold for you

Heartache, anyone? This is a good, solid first album, and yes, if you're looking for a unique Christmas gift, consider Happenstance. In 2003, she released an EP, called, oddly enough, EP. Haven't heard that one yet. Finally, and please forgive me, but she is also stunningly beautiful - hazel eyes, freckles and dark hair generally make me weak in the knees. But her music is worth the effort, and it's always pleasing to buy an emerging artist's first offerings, and be more than pleasantly surprised at how good it is.