Search - :: LAURA BRYNA/TRYING TO BE ME

Strong voiced, modern Nashville country

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 01/25/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Bryna's a formally trained singer (and dancer and actress) whose first musical love is country. After college and roles in stage musicals, she headed off to Nashville to continue her education and edge into the music industry. Signed to Equity (alongside Clint Black, Kevin Fowler and others) she's issued a debut single ("Make a Wish," dedicated to the same-named foundation for which she's volunteered since childhood) and now her debut album. She's also become something of a fashionista, having struck up a relationship with designer Roberto Cavalli. Musically, Bryna sits in the center of modern country with some light electric twang and personable lyrics (crafted by Nashville songsmiths) of self-discovery, battered women, love, eloping and heartbreak. The kiss-off "Set it on Fire" sounds a bit like the sass of Martina McBride (though she pronounces "fire" in two distinct syllables like Pat Benetar and Jim Morrison), and the diary of a hotel room "Room 228" cleverly catalogs the highs and lows of those who've passed between its sheets. Even better is the Wynonna-styled blues of "Same Dog," the single woman's "No Man's Land," and Keith Urban's ode to broadcast's unique listener connection, "According to the Radio." The album has a good balance of ballads and upbeat songs, and though Bryna occasionally sounds a bit over-trained as a country singer, it's the music she clearly loves, and those who enjoy Nashville's modern sounds will find much to like here.



September 2008: Bryna's public work has taken her from the Make-A-Wish foundation (she sits on the Mid-Atlantic chapter's board) to spokesperson for the Air National Guard. She's recently written and recorded a new song, "Hometown Hero" for the Guard's television and radio spots, and her label has taken the opportunity to include it on a reissue of this debut CD. Bryna's song is a country-rock portrait of archetypal American heroes, including Friday night gridders and neighborhood first responders, with an uplifting chorus that will slot nicely into the media campaign. Also added is the self-empowered, forward-looking "My Mistakes," and dropped is Bryna's cover of Ashley Gering's 1999 "Out the Window." Those who have the first version of the CD can find the two new songs on download services; those who pick up the reissue can find "Out the Window" for download on Amazon. [©2008 hyperbolium dot com]"