Album Review
Tift Merritt
Bramble Rose
Lost Highway Records
Purchase The Album
There is a new voice in country music that is as haunting and powerful as any in to come along in recent memory and it belongs to Lost Highway Records recording artist Tift Merritt. Her debut record Bramble Rose is a diverse record that covers a large scope of musical sounds while at the same time keeping everything very close to its country roots.
The first time you hear Tift sing you just might think you're listening to a Linda Ronstadt record. Everything about her from her songs to her vocal styling hints at Linda's influence. You'll also think of a rootsy Sheryl Crow on tracks. But regardless of who you try to compare Tift to there is no denying that she is an incredible talent in her own right. In fact she even wrote all of the songs on Bramble Rose.
First and foremost this is not a mainstream country record. If your musical preferences tend to lean towards the more pop oriented offerings of artists like Shania Twain and Faith Hill you might find yourself feeling a little lost in the barebones, rootsy sound. But if you're a fan of artists who are hanging onto classic country sounds and the emerging Americana styling you're going to absolutely love this record. We can only hope that we get more albums as solid as this offering.
The album opens with "Trouble Over Me" which has my vote for the next single. The song starts off with slow, laid back verses before Tift lets her voice roar through the chorus. When she sings "You're not my boyfriend/I don't want a boyfriend/Just make a little trouble over me" you can't help but feel sorry for the guy she's toying with. The current single "Virginia, No One Can Warn You" is another song just as solid as the first. It's a shame mainstream country stations aren't playing this song in heavy rotation. The gritty, rocking "Neighborhood" shows off how versatile Merritt can be.
"Sunday" and "Supposed To Make You Happy" are both excellent slower songs where Tift's voice takes on a whole different emotional tone. She's really in control of her voice and knows how to use it as a tool to extract as much emotion from the listener as possible. On "I Know Him Too" Tift warns another woman about an unfaithful man whose lies she's already lived through. You won't soon be able to get "Bird of Freedom" out of your mind.
Every single one of the 11 tracks on Bramble Rose is a winner. For a debut artist to come across as this confident and in control is truly amazing. When you put this record on you'll know you've experienced something special. Tift Merritt will leave you wanting more and I for one can't wait to see what she has up her sleeve next time around. She's quite possibly the best new talent of the year.
Album Review by Jeff Krasky
The WOC Rating Scale |
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The album stands above the rest. This is a record that every country music fan needs to have in their collection. This album is better than the average release. A strong record with some flaws that keep it from reaching that 5 star level. This album is an average country release. Doesn't posses qualities that make it stand out among all the other albums out there. A weak record that lacks solid songs or good vocal performances. Sample before you buy. This record is a bargin-bin reject that just isn't worth the time or the money. Completely misses the mark. |