INGRID MICHAELSON – “Everybody” (CD Review)

  

8616No comments yethttp://www.parcbench.com/2009/10/08/ingrid-michaelson-%e2%80%93-%e2%80%9ceverybody%e2%80%9d-cd-review/INGRID+MICHAELSON+%E2%80%93+%E2%80%9CEverybody%E2%80%9D+%28CD+Review%292009-10-08+13%3A52%3A58Greg+Victor

Written by Greg VictorcloseAuthor: Greg Victor Name: Greg Victor
Email: Greg@parcbench.com
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About: Greg Victor (Parcbench Culture Editor) is a historian, pop culture critic, and theatrical dramaturg and has stage managed theatrical productions on Broadway and on tour, including Billy Joel's "Movin' Out", Monty Python's "Spamalot" and more.See Authors Posts (225) on October 8, 2009

Label: Cabin 24 Records

Is it possible that the 1990’s are already back? There’s been a noticeable lack of female indie pop/rock on the music scene in the past few years. But with Ingrid Michaelson making her music, “chick music” is safely returning. Her songs are sweet, prickly, bouncy, tart, and, above all, honest.

You may not have heard of Ingrid before, but after listening to this album you will know who she is. She is one of those artists whose personality comes through each song. It is as personable as it is personal.

I first encountered Ingrid Michaelson as a result of being a fan of Joshua Radin. They both make songs that have a floating quality. The two are a welcome relief to the pop drivel that saturates radio programming today. You also might recognize her voice from the television show “Grey’s Anatomy,” which featured her songs in several episodes.

Ingrid Michaelson writes the inner monologues that loop through the mind when you examine a relationship’s pros and cons. Taking on subject matter that has been the focus of so many songs, she avoids clichés while still making her point that a healthy relationship requires more than simply being “in love.”

Consider the lyric for the plaintive ballad “So Long”:
“You’ve made me into someone who should not hold a loaded gun,
And now you sit upon my chest,
Knock out my wind,
Knock out my best.”

This is an artist on the verge of becoming a force in the music scene. When she does, be one of those who already has her early music. And may your ears enjoy the wait…

Download these:

“Soldier” – This hypnotic up-tempo with beautiful arrangements starts small and builds to a stunning conclusion.

“Everybody” – Damn it’s refreshing to find such a catchy song in 2009. This is the one that you will put on repeat.

“Sort Of” – The song is another wakeup call for a relationship that needs to be reconsidered. But no one sings these thoughts with such precision and controlled punctuation. Spellbinding.

“The Chain” – A ballad about that relationship that you try to hold on to, but maybe shouldn’t. The difficult images evoked are a perfect compliment to the spiraling melody. Bittersweet never sounded so appealing.

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