Search - Brooke Fraser :: Albertine

Words can't describe the beauty of Brooke's voice, lyrics, a

paygenie | California, USA | 10/10/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Really, no words can describe the unique beauty of Brooke Fraser's music. It's melodic, poetic, socially/spiritually aware, some of the best songwriting out there right now. Once you have heard the CD "Albertine," you will never forget it. If you can't sample the songs here, you can listen to the songs on MySpace (.../brookefraser).



The New Zealand singer-songwriter has a multi-dimensional voice. Her voice is lilting, a confident soprano, marked with an emotional, sometimes desperate, alto. Her voice is rich and resonating, makes your heart stop a bit. It's pure, raw talent. Brooke's therefore at her best in the spiritually-themed tracks like "Faithful" and "Hymn" where it's just her and a piano.



The rest of the CD -- a mixture of pop/rock/folk/alternative (it's hard to label it all really) -- goes way beyond what you'd expect from a 25-year-old artist. She addresses the theme of generations in "Seeds":



"Child, what will you live to do? What have I left for you? What will we leave behind?"



The CD's title track, "Albertine" is a tribute to lives lost in the Rwandan genocide and a call to arms to look beyond ourselves, to help those in need.



"C.S. Lewis Song" starts off simple with vocals and a piano then gradually builds in complexity to a driving, rock alternative track that then fades into song #7, an unnamed rock music interlude with guitarist Michael Chaves. (Chaves, one of the most sought-after guitarists by recording artists, played/toured with John Mayer.)



There are of course, the songs about love, but the ones here go far beyond the average FM radio ditty: There's the universally appealing "Shadowfeet" and "Deciphering Me," and the almost tribal, certainly unique, "Love, Where is Your Fire?" (You just have to hear it to see what I mean -- sample her songs on MySpace!).



Already a platinum-selling artist in her native New Zealand, the "Albertine" CD was released in the U.S. in May. The CD is produced by Marshall Altman, the famed Los Angeles producer behind Kate Voegele's hit CD. Brooke is currently touring with the Hotel Cafe Tour with Anya Marina, Meiko, and Priscilla Ahn. Brooke has previously written/recorded songs for Hillsong United, a Christian organization.



Though there is religious influence in some of "Albertine"'s songs, the CD is far from being preachy. If you're looking for Christian music specifically, check out Brooke in Hillsong's CDs like "All of the Above" and the "I Heart One Revolution" also available on Amazon.







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A-M-A-Z-I-N-G

Lauren S | Benton, IL USA | 05/02/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow, I bought this album after only sampling a couple of songs, but I am so glad I did!! It is truly one of the best albums I have ever heard. Definitely in my top5 of all time. The lyrics are beautifully written and the music compliments that. I would definitely recommend this album to everyone!! It's sooooo good!I can listen to it several times in a row. Unfortunately, it is not available in the U.S., but thank goodness you can buy it on Amazon!!!

Oh, and check Brooke out on the Hillsong United albums. They are amazing!!"

Almost Perfect "Albertine" by Brooke Fraser

Kevin R. Davis | Perkasie, PA | 10/23/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"New Zealand native Brooke Fraser, the writer and singer of Hillsong United's Hosanna, Lead Me To The Cross and None But Jesus is my clear cut top new female Christian singer in the last 2 years. Her vocals are so great you can get lost in just listening to her sing, but that is a bonus as the songs on Albertine have some of the strongest lyrics of the year. Brooke's songwriting is deep and challenging like Sara Groves and fellow CCM newcomer Joy Whitlock and her voice is stunning like CCM stand-out singers Christy Nockels (Watermark), Tiffany Arbuckle-Lee (Plumb) and Canadian singer Sarah McLachlan, whom are all my favorite female singer-songwriters.



Opening track Shadowfeet is one of my favorite songs of the year, both musically and lyrically and really showcases Brooke's excellent singing voice. The bridge "You make all things new" will have you singing along in worship. First single Deciphering Me is a nice upbeat love song and very introspective. Love Is Waiting is beautiful and biblical and will certainly be used at weddings. The title song Albertine is named for an orphan in Rwanda with whom Brooke has a special bond. The lyrics and music are stunning on the song in particular this stanza: "Now that I have seen, I am responsible, Faith without deeds is dead, Now that I have held you, In my own arms, I cannot let go `til you are". Some other stand-out songs are Faithful, Hosea's Wife and Hymn. A song I keep coming back to is C.S. Lewis Song, an amazing ballad with a tribute to the Christian author's Screwtape Letters, which includes these challenging words: "There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, "All right, then, have it your way". Brooke writes and sings these amazing lyrics in the bridge of C.S. Lewis Song: "For we, we are not long here, Our time is but a breath, So we better breathe it, And I, I was made to live, I was made to love, I was made to know You". WOW! Absolutely amazing.



Brooke's album is almost perfect and is worthy of award consideration, and she is my choice for best new artist 2008."