Title - 'Rocket'
Artist - Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
For those not in the know, Edie Brickell is an American singer-songwriter widely known for 1988's Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars, the debut album by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, which went to No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Married to Paul Simon, Brickell's music exploded (albeit gently) onto the music scene (out of Dallas) some thirty years ago.
Becoming an international sensation with their double-platinum debut album, Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars, featuring the Top Ten hit, and uber catchy (even today) "What I Am", now the band gets back together for their brand new album, the quite brilliant Rocket.
Their first new music in a dozen years, as the title indicates, they remain a propulsive and as much an unclassifiable force, a whirlwind of musical ideas and styles, as ever before.
Rocket was released this past October 12th via Verve Forecast and has quickly become one of my own personal favorites of 2018.
1. 'What Makes You Happy'
2. 'Superhero'
3. 'Obvious'
4. 'Trust'
5. 'Singing In The Shower'
6. 'I Don't Need A Man'
7. 'Exaggerate'
8. 'Eyes In The Window'
9. 'Colors'
10. 'Drawn To You'
11. 'Tell Me'
12. 'Green Magic'
13. 'Far Away'
Let's start off by putting it this way: If you liked Stranger Things then you should LOVE this new album, trust me! Chock full of atmosphere and nicely produced toboot, they kick things off with 'What Makes You Happy,' an upbeat cut that evokes a raw Sheryl Crow.
Next up is the folk telling of 'Superhero' which in turn is backed by both the quietly paced 'Obvious' and then the delightful summer car ride, windows down, 'Trust.'
The fun bounce of 'Singing In The Shower' is another beauty here and that's followed by the more stoic storytelling of 'I Don't Need A Man.' The beat is turned back up again for the vibrant 'Exaggerate' which is backed by more from Brickell's Crow-phase, 'Eyes In The Window.'
The beautiful, placid 'Colors' is next and then comes another of my favorites here, the hauntingly stunning 'Drawn To You.' The guitars are punched up for 'Tell Me', with the album then rounding out with the '70s flashback gem 'Green Magic' and then the delicate 'Far Away.'
In truth, Brickell's voice has never sounded better and the band sounds great together. Indeed, it's also heartening to know that former drummer Matt Chamberlain sits in on one of the songs.
So, yeah, sure, 12 years is way too long to wait for an album from these guys, but being that it turned out so good, maybe they'll decide to head back to the recording studio a lot earlier next time.
Amazon CD Purchase Link
www.EdieBrickell.com
Edie Brickell & New Bohemians @ Facebook!
www.VerveRecords.com