New Review on INDIE-MUSIC.COM
INDIE-MUSIC.COM - Derek Blackmon
June 4,2005
On her second full-length release, Chapel Hill’s Yasmine White continues to prove that talent only takes time to be fully recognized. Somebody’s paying attention though. With a CV that already includes second place in the Folk category of the John Lennon Song Writing Contest and an honorable mention in Billboard’s World Song Contest, it’s a wonder that no one else is lucky enough to have discovered the area’s latest wunderkind.
At first glance, Chapel Hill seems like a very unlikely place to spawn such an eclectic sound, but this town is no stranger to talent, having bred the likes of Mojo Nixon, Chris Stamey and Archers of Loaf.
The opening track on this eponymous release, “In My Mind” has a lovely Carly Simon feel that really grabs you. It’s smooth, easy listening that invites you in and makes you feel comfortable. “I Almost Trusted You” has a heartbreaking effect that would make most guys come to their senses when they realize that we can, in fact, be jerks when it comes to love:
“Love” is a slow jazz ballad painting that feeling of longing in all its glory, and with lyrics like “Some say that love is a poison, a delicious, tempting dish,” how can you argue? When you have it, love is the greatest feeling in the world, and when it’s gone, it can break down even the strongest of men.
“Starve Me” is the track that really hits you in the solar plexus. Vocally, this song sounds like Sarah McLaughlin filtered through Hejira-era Joni Mitchell. At times, this will make you feel like you are soaring through clouds with the simplest chorus repeating “Oh - Save me.” Great lyrics are best when they are sparse and don’t require a lot.
“See Her Whirl” is the standout track here, featuring Caitlyn Cary (Tres Chicas, Whiskeytown) on violin and harmony vocals. Cary kicks a breath of fresh air into an already easy flowing breeze. This little ditty, pondering lost love in the golden years, will have you shadow dancing in the halls, hoping that you feel this well when senility takes control.
Immediately it is striking how well Yasmine White is able to consistently touch that innate yearning for love that we all share. It speaks in so many different ways, but yet at the same time it manages to speak to us all.
Go to the review
June 4,2005
On her second full-length release, Chapel Hill’s Yasmine White continues to prove that talent only takes time to be fully recognized. Somebody’s paying attention though. With a CV that already includes second place in the Folk category of the John Lennon Song Writing Contest and an honorable mention in Billboard’s World Song Contest, it’s a wonder that no one else is lucky enough to have discovered the area’s latest wunderkind.
At first glance, Chapel Hill seems like a very unlikely place to spawn such an eclectic sound, but this town is no stranger to talent, having bred the likes of Mojo Nixon, Chris Stamey and Archers of Loaf.
The opening track on this eponymous release, “In My Mind” has a lovely Carly Simon feel that really grabs you. It’s smooth, easy listening that invites you in and makes you feel comfortable. “I Almost Trusted You” has a heartbreaking effect that would make most guys come to their senses when they realize that we can, in fact, be jerks when it comes to love:
Thick as hope, quick as a rope
I tied around my neck thinking
I could save you
Thick as life, quick as a knife
Go ahead and cut my heart out
“Love” is a slow jazz ballad painting that feeling of longing in all its glory, and with lyrics like “Some say that love is a poison, a delicious, tempting dish,” how can you argue? When you have it, love is the greatest feeling in the world, and when it’s gone, it can break down even the strongest of men.
“Starve Me” is the track that really hits you in the solar plexus. Vocally, this song sounds like Sarah McLaughlin filtered through Hejira-era Joni Mitchell. At times, this will make you feel like you are soaring through clouds with the simplest chorus repeating “Oh - Save me.” Great lyrics are best when they are sparse and don’t require a lot.
“See Her Whirl” is the standout track here, featuring Caitlyn Cary (Tres Chicas, Whiskeytown) on violin and harmony vocals. Cary kicks a breath of fresh air into an already easy flowing breeze. This little ditty, pondering lost love in the golden years, will have you shadow dancing in the halls, hoping that you feel this well when senility takes control.
Immediately it is striking how well Yasmine White is able to consistently touch that innate yearning for love that we all share. It speaks in so many different ways, but yet at the same time it manages to speak to us all.
Go to the review
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