Search - Bill Ricchini :: Tonight I Burn Brightly

Tonight he burns brightly

E. A Solinas | MD USA | 08/26/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Too few people know about Bill Ricchini's debut album, "Ordinary Time," a mellow collection of dreamy pop songs. It was a charming album, although not exactly the stuff of which commercial success is made of.



But the Philadelphia native may have found a slightly more accessable niche in "Tonight I Burn Brightly," where that same mellow pop is given a more expansive, enchanting sound. Ricchini has grown musically, and his sophomore album shows that.



It opens with the sweet piano-guitar ballad "A Cold Wind Will Blow Through Your Door," a comforting little song which promises forgiveness and comfort. That song leads off into a string of similar ballads, mellow and sweet in nature, with Ricchini's smooth voice adding to the comfortable sound.



It's the musical equivalent of sitting on your porch on an autumn day, watching the leaves blow by -- a bit chilly, but pretty and comforting.



But Ricchini has some new tricks in his bag, and he handles them with a deft smoothness that would make you think he'd been doing these forever. A few songs are actually catchy, with solid little hooks and pleasant piano pop bounce, but are still mellow enough that they don't stivk out like a row of sore thumbs.



Other songs delve into lovelorn balladry, wistfully talking about "when you find what you're searchin' for/you found what you're searchin' for/look me up..." And still others try out the Tin Pan Alley sound, which seems like an unlikely candidate for Ricchini's music. But despite the chirrupy music, Ricchini retains that sweetly downbeat style.



Perhaps the best thing about "Tonight I Burn Brightly" is that Ricchini's music has avoided the sophomore slump: His music has lost none of its wistful charm, but it hasn't stagnated. There's no ego or bitterness in these songs; it's all about the beauty, the sorrow, and the sincerity. And that's what makes it so bloody charming.



Ricchini's satiny voice is also very calming and soothing, and he conveys a strong sense of earnestness; you can imagine him singing half these songs to a girl in a coffee house. He also uses the basic piano and guitar to form dreamy little acoustic tapestries, which seem a lot more complex than they really are.



"Ordinary Time" was an enchanting indie-chamberpop album, and "Tonight I Burn Brightly" improves on the past triumphs. An enchanting little album, which promises to burn brightly."

A wonderful album, loaded with great songs

Matt | San Francisco, CA | 09/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think a few of these negative reviewers are listening to a different album. This is one of the most consistently pleasurable listens I have had all year. The songwriting is just excellent and the arrangements are really creative-- spare, melodic and always tasteful. I love the subtle chord changes from verse to verse on "Cold Wind Will Blow Through Your Door.""

Well done

Laurie Christinzio | 09/01/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had the pleasure of tinkling the ivories on this album. I had my first real listen today and It's every thing you can expect from Bill. Tight and memorable melodies, Haunting lyrics, sparce yet effective arrangements and production. Well done Mr. Bill."