A Breath of Fresh Air
David Anderson | St. Cloud, MN | 12/30/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Breathe" is the second release from Michelle Branch's album "Hotel Paper". This track wonderfully combines pop and rock, offering audiences a new prospective on Branch. The lyrics and the music were written beautifully by her. Her every word is sung with true heart and soul, expressing her true feelings about the aftermath of breaking up with her boyfriend. This is one of many songs that prove that she's evolved greatly as an artist since she released "Everywhere" in 2001. Such quality gives assurance that she'll be around for a long time. "Desperately" and "'Til I Get Over You" are great additions to this LP. These live versions besides those from the album version offer a new look at Michelle Branch as a performer. Like "Breathe", these two ballads were written deep from her heart. These versions prove that she is a real artist, not a manufactured artist. The quality of these tracks makes the "Breathe" LP worthy of buying. Listeners will be highly enlightened. Those interested in a deeper look into her life and trials should also buy her album "Hotel Paper". It's addicting.***Expect "Breathe" to receive a 2004 Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Performance. She deserves it."
Beautiful song by a potentially great artist
Patrick L. Randall | Silver Spring, MD | 12/25/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A year ago, when I wrote my review of Michelle Branch's, debut album "Spirit Room", I gave that album four stars because her potential rather than her accomplishments on that album. The appearance of Michelle Branch on the music scene (as well as contemporaries Vanessa Carlton and Avril Lavigne) has proven to be a breath of fresh air on the radio waves. After being force-fed endless overproduced, under-talented performers like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera (good voice, but little else), and the innumerable boy bands, having someone truly talented, one who writes her own music and plays her own instruments, is refreshing. I believed in Branch's potential a year ago to give her a rating that her album didn't really deserve. Based on the first two singles I've heard off her sophomore effort, "Hotel Paper", Branch has rewarded that faith with a more musically and lyrically mature album. Branch has grown up more as a woman ... and as a singer (as witnessed by this album)
Branch's second single off "Hotel Paper" is called "Breathe" and it's a true gem. Branch continues to use the guitar as an extension of herself. It's amazing to realize that a girl who first picked at a guitar at age 14 has been so accomplished that the instrument is like a part of her. What is more striking is the maturity in her voice. While she still can achieve the loud notes prevalent on her earlier album, she also interjects subtlety into her singing. She can range from the loud soaring vocals to the soft, almost pouty ones popularized by Carlton and Jewel (without overdoing it). She also can strike a perfect balance between the two in each verse. The song also just plain sounds good. Hearing this on the radio can really perk up one's mood. The striking accomplishment of her first two singles speaks strongly of the potential of the rest of "Hotel Paper". I look forward to listening to it and reviewing it as well."
Awesome music!
Sefie | nowhere | 11/23/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"michelle branch has definetally improved as a songwriter and singer. her first cd, the spirit room, is completely one of the best cds out there-but she's not gotten even better. her second single, breathe, easily shows that. 1 - BREATHE - breathe is my favorite song by michelle and close to one of my fav songs ever. this song has beautiful lyrics and some of the best acoustic guitar playing ever! ^_^ Even though it has a little more of a pop-ish kind of flare to it, I still love it. I think almost anyone would love this song, no matter what kind of music they listen to. - 10/102 - TIL I GET OVER YOU (live) - again...til I get over you is one of my fav songs my meech, too! it's one of the best break-up songs ever...and she sings a little bit of french in it! she even sings beautifully in another language! (hehe...) ^^ Even thought this track is live, you don't have to worry about meech sounding a little weird...she, as always, sounds awesome! - 9.9/103 - DESPERATELY (live) - desperately wasn't really one of my favorite songs, but grows on you quickly. this song is mostly acoustic guitar...wonderfully played. the lyrics are also about her and a boy being separated and having a...bad relationship, but still wanting to be with him. Even though not one of my favs, desperately is completely a must-have! - 9.5/10I hope my review has been helpful. If you don't own michelle branch's The Spirit Room, or Hotel Paper, please go out and buy them! :) I promise you they are worth all the money!!"
Track Listings (3) - Disc #1