Branching Out (Hotel Paper - Michelle Branch)

Member Name: delawney

Product:	Hotel Paper - Michelle Branch
Date:	06/07/03 (511 review reads)
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THE QUICK REVIEW (For those in a hurry)

Michelle Branch made a little impact on these shores with her first major release, "The Spirit Room", released in the UK last year. It spawned a moderate hit with the brilliant "All You Wanted".

"Hotel Paper" is the second major release from the delightful Michelle, and shows a little more maturity from the youngster whilst still maintaining the youthful energy and effervescence of her debut. The opening track and first single from the album "Are You Happy Now" grips you instantly, a vibrant rocky number with a delicious twist of bitterness.

No doubt Michelle will be hoping to capitalise on the recent success of young rock(ish) chicks from across the Atlantic such as Avril Lavigne. That is not to say her music is by any means a carbon copy of the likes of Avril - Michelle came first for a start - and she definitely demonstrates more maturity in her music.

A combination of great songwriting talent, a brilliant and solid vocal ability and a pinch of guest appearances from the likes of Sheryl Crow and Santana make this a real must-have for your collection.

"Hotel Paper" is due for it's UK release on Monday 7 July.


THE FULL OP

Michelle has quite literally just turned 20 - on July 2nd in fact - and this is already her second major release. She positively oozes talent - as well as having an excellent voice, she is an accomplished guitarist and a talented songwriter, having written or co-written all the songs on the album with the exception of the Santana number "The Game of Love".

Michelle offers us an accomplished follow up to her first major release "The Spirit Room". Admittedly the album is in a similar vein, with Michelle presumably hoping to repeat her success. However, you do feel Michelle has matured a little and grown into herself with this album, with I think somewhat b

etter crafted songs showcasing more of her talent and skill. You can here the progression with the inclusion of "Everywhere" from her first album as a bonus track, which whilst not out of place on this album does demonstrate her development a little.

"Hotel Paper" is full of exceptional songs, with a predictable but still delightful mix of up-tempo catchy numbers and delightful ballads. Michelle is beginning to demonstrate her versatility as an artist in a more coherent way than the brilliant but occasionally disjointed "Spirit Room" album.

The album is not officially released here until Monday 7 July. I got it a little early thanks to CD Wow! who sent it out after it's US release a couple of weeks ago.


*** The Packaging ***

No unusual packaging or gimmicks here, but an attractive CD booklet nonetheless. It provides all the lyrics, so that's me happy! There are plenty of pictures of Michelle looking thoughtful and holding her guitar.


*** The First Listen ***

I loved this album right from its very first listen - and there are certainly some tracks that instantly catch attention. However, this is an album that benefits from further playing, and some of the less instant tracks certainly exhibit depth that grows on you.



*** The Track Run-Down ***

*** INTRO ***

A bizarre opening - about 12 seconds of not much in particular. Just some strings that sound like they are being played through a radio.


*** ARE YOU HAPPY NOW ***

"Could you look me in the eye
And tell me that you're happy now?"

This is the first single from the album (in the US at least) and is an excellent album opener. It starts relatively placidly with a little bit of piano and some somewhat breathy vocals from Michelle. Slowly it builds up into a belter of a chorus that just begs to be sung-along to (in fact,
I am
singing along now!)

It's a classic, bitter-tinged post relationship rant, and it's fantastic!

I really hope that this will be released as a single here in the UK and will give Michelle the UK success she deserves.

If you visit www.michellebranch.com you can view the video (which is also very good) on line.


*** FIND YOUR WAY BACK ***

"I used to get away with so much
Now I can't get away"

The mood lifts a little with the next track, which has a somewhat softer, more poppy edge than its predecessor.

It's still a distinctly catchy number, and perhaps somewhat more uplifting than the bitter edge of the opening track. Definitely one to get the foot tapping, and perhaps the one I've been humming the most after the first few listens.


*** EMPTY HANDED ***

"I'm packing my bags 'cause I don't wanna be
The only one who's drowning in their misery"

Once more, a fairly gentle opening building up into a more powerful chorus, though not on the same rock level as "Are You Happy Now?".

One thing Michelle does consistently throughout this album, and indeed on "The Spirit Room" is to show a real competence in the use of contrast, expertly constructing songs to make the best use of "light" and "shade".

This is a really positive, uplifting track, with at times an asian feel and some nice "la da da" bits that enable you to sing along even before you know the words properly!


*** TUESDAY MORNING ***

As this song opens you feel you're approaching ballad territory. I wouldn't quite go that far, but you certainly sense things have slowed down a little.

This is a romantic, gentle number that kind of makes you want to sway. Chilled and delicious, like a good Martini.


*** ONE OF THESE DAYS ***

&
quot;One o
f these days
I won't be afraid of staying with you"

A gentle piano intro and soft vocals from Michelle. Now we are definitely in ballad territory.

This song keeps things simple and atmospheric, letting Michelle's vocal talent shine through. There is a definite element of "less is more" here.


*** LOVE ME LIKE THAT (With Sheryl Crow) ***

"How can you just break away?
Why can't you find the words to say?
Love is something you work at
Tell me why ya gonna love me like that"

After the ballad, Michelle picks up the tempo once more on a track that I anticipate is destined to be a single - not least because it features Sheryl Crow.

Michelle and Sheryl's vocals compliment each other fantastically and the whole song makes great use of their harmonies.

It starts relatively simply with just acoustic guitars accenting the delicious vocal harmony. It picks up throughout the course of the song, but every so often the music drops back a notch enabling you to fully appreciate the vocal combination.

A real catchy number with just a tinge of country. Top stuff.


*** DESPERATELY ***

"and it's strange that things change
But not me wanting you so desperately"

Michelle slows it down once more on this track - safely back into ballad territory. A romantic, gentle number once more highlighting Michelle's vocal talent. No surprises here, but a delightful track nonetheless.


*** BREATHE ***

"If I just breathe
Let it fill the space between
I'll know everything is alright"

A gentle beginning and then a build up for another more uptempo perfectly crafted pop rock number, which I predict will be another single. Top stuff indeed.


*** WHERE ARE YOU NOW? ***

Nearing the closing stages of the album, Michelle presents us w
ith another foo
t-tapping delightful pop-rock ditty, complete with sing-along chorus.


*** HOTEL PAPER ***

"I write mostly on hotel paper
Knowing my thoughts will never leave this room"

Finally we reach the album's title track, and there's a distinctly laid back, almost country feel on this bittersweet ballad. Another delicious moment. This song doesn't grab you instantly, but it's a delicate number and it definitely grabs you more each time you listen to it.


*** 'TIL I GET OVER YOU ***

We move deep into atmospheric territory on this track. A sparse opening with haunting vocals from Michelle leads us into a moody chorus accented by a snippet of French lyrics. Another beautifully crafted number.


*** EVERYWHERE ***

This is actually the opening track from Michelle's "Spirit Room" album, and was also a single. It's included here as a bonus track. Although you do feel Michelle has moved on a little, this track is still not out of place. A cracking little pop-rock number that deserved to be a big hit this side of the water.


*** THE GAME OF LOVE (Santana featuring Michelle Branch) ***

Another bonus track here, which is really more of a Santana track than a Michelle Branch number.

It opens with the characteristic and unmistakable guitar tones of Mr. Santana. Not surprisingly, there is a distinctly latin feel to this catchy tune. Michelle's vocals are as brilliant as ever, and she and Santana seem to work well together. Fantastic and uplifting.


*** IT'S YOU ***

Bit odd to have two bonus tracks and then the final album track, but as it does not appear in the booklet you do wonder if it's been included as a bit of an afterthought.

A delicate acoustic number, mainly just Michelle, her acoustic guitar and a few keys. Michelle's voice sounds fragile, full of
emotion and mood.
Captivating.


*** OUTTRO ***

After the rather strange intro, the album ends on a similarly bizarre outtro. Sorry, but I don't get it! Still, it's short and has no real impact on the album for me.



*** The Verdict? ***

There are no "middle of side two" tracks on this album - all the numbers are of a similarly high quality.

"The Spirit Room" may only have been a moderate success here, but I believe it did much better in the States. Of course, after a successful first album a second can often present a difficult challenge. This is a challenge Michelle has taken on with gusto, and has produced a polished and sophisticated follow-up to her debut. In fact, I think I'm going to like this one even better!

As for a star rating, I would probably give this four and a half, as I think as Michelle matures we're going to get something even better, but as dooyoo limits me to whole stars it will have to be five.



*** The Useful Information ***

"Hotel Paper" is currently selling on Amazon for a whopping £9.99, pr CD Wow! for just £8.99

For more information check out the websites at www.michellebranch.com and www.michellebranch.net.


"Hotel Paper" (2003)
Maverick 48508-2

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