:: 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.
Article comments
1 - Temple Stark
Randy,
This did make it up on Advance.net finally.
Shes' got that Liv Tyler look going on.
Congratulations and thank you for the review.
-- Temple
2 - greg
what a brilliant first release by an amazing human being. rachael sure puts it down like no other. comparisons to other artists are unneeded as she stands alone. for me anyway.
this is a classic album. you know one that you have to play from start to finish when you put it on and there can't be any messing with the track order either/ neither!! the track "i want you" with the klezmatics is just so.. so.. perfect. "reason why" can make you cry if you let it. "letter read" has such a beautiful beat ...the piano/bass/percussion opening ...oooh. does it for this boy! these girls" and "i'll find a way" Just what can you say?
rachael has her way with it doesn't she?
all the tracks are well written and played as they should have been. no messin' with perfection.
i can say i have this thing for "meet by the water"...that song pretty much has stuck to me like crazy glue since i heard it for the first time. for me it's love....said best by rachael..she knows her way around the topic as no other does. if you don't like this album you must have serious aural deficiencies and should go get it checked out by your family doctor. if nothing is wrong then i guess there is just no hope for you and i wish you the best. p.s. [god her freckles are so gorgeous}