Search - My Brightest Diamond :: Bring Me the Workhorse

A Surprising Debut!

Cale E. Reneau | Conroe, Texas United States | 08/22/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My first impression of Shara Worden came when she was syncopating "I-L-L-I-N-O-I-S" to Sufjan Stevens' "They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back from the dead!! Ahh!!" It should come as no surprise, then, that I envisioned Shara's voice to be cutesy and poppy. Add in the fact that my first time to actually lay eyes on her was in a cheerleading uniform, performing as an Illinoisemaker, and it really just seemed to fit. My Brightest Diamond is Shara Worden; a very different girl than I imagined.



With the first note she sings on "Something of an End" I literally compared press release pictures of her to my Illinoisemakers poster to be sure that this was the same girl. Worden sings with the vocal presence of Fiona Apple or Kate Bush and takes musical risks that put her in the same category as Bjork. Consider my mind blown!



The revelation that Shara Worden was not the posessor of the cute, petite voice I had imagined is perhaps why I'm so entranced by "Bring Me the Workhorse." The artist gives no clue that she was even involved in that silly Sufjan Stevens album and subsequent tour. The sound on this album is infinitely maturer than anything we've heard from her before. Sure, there's a stop on the "let's just have fun train" with the song "Freak Out," but everything else on this album is mesmerizing. Hearing Shara declare "Heaven and hell come c-c-crashing down!" on "Something of an End" is literally so Bjork-esque that one can't help but fall in love with the song and open up their ears to the rest of the album.



"Golden Star" eases the excitement a little until the song hits the 2-minute mark and Worden fully displays the extent of her vocal abilities without even sounding like she's breaking a sweat. "Gone Away," a soft ballad about a loverleaving and the difficulties that follows, is heartbreaking and enchanting, while "Dragonfly" is a dreamy-pop song that sounds like it could easily be a Sixpence None the Richer song if it weren't for Worden's powerful vocals.



"Bring Me the Workhorse" is one heck of an album! Before the final track comes to an end, you will have undoubtedly experience a range of emotions; from depression to happiness, optimism and fear. Truthfully, hearing Shara demand "Bring me the workhorse! Bring me the no good workhorse!" struck a bit of fear in me, followed by the absolute joy that comes with realizing that one line could bring about such an emotion. The album can, at times, be amazing, yet also seemingly unnecessary. However, despite these minor and rare flaws, I can't help but listen to "Bring Me the Workhorse" over and over and over again.



This is, by far, the best debut album to be released in 2006 thus far. I eagerly look forward to anything to come from My Brightest Diamond in the future and I suggest everyone go ahead and get on board with me!



Highly recommended for fans of Fiona Apple, Kate Bush, Bjork, Portishead and anyone looking to be amazed at one of the best combinations of creativity and talent that I have heard in a while!



Key Tracks:

1. "Something of an End"

2. "Golden Star"

3. "Dragonfly"

4. "Disappear"

5. "Workhorse"



5 out of 5 Stars"

Original, and bright

Alyssa A. Lappen | Earth | 10/10/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While driving recently, I was lucky enough to hear a large part of Shara Worden's new CD, Bring me the Workhorse. I don't often listen to rock music--these days, classical is my preference when I'm not stuck in the car, glued to my kids' rap and hip hop--and I can't remember the last time I bought any. But this is one CD I'd consider. It's so original, and, well, musical.



From what I gathered between cuts, Worden's Dad was an accomplished accordionist, and her mother a church organist. Whatever the origin of her musical skill, however, it's genuine, and worth hearing.



I confess I have no idea how she conceived of her title--either for the CD, or her "group"--but the music here is definitely bright, even diamond like, in the sea of garbage being mass produced by so-called musicians nowadays.



If you want a change, this CD is a good place to get it."

We were sparkling

E. A Solinas | MD USA | 11/17/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"My Brightest Diamond -- aka opera singer Shana Worden -- is not your typical Asthmatic Kitty band. No whimsical folk or funk here.



Instead, Worden embraces a more slow-burning rock mentality, with some fluttery pop in the mix. Rather than the pensive, warm'n'fuzzy sound of her labelmate Sufjan, "Bring Me the Workhorse" is a chilling, slightly eerie kind of pop music. And yet, you probably won't stop listening until it ends.



It opens with the ominous "Something of An End," with its dramatic, taut guitar and meandering little melody. And somewhat mad subject matter: "You woke up God and everyone/screaming bloody awful/so we took you to the doctor/he said, it's a bad one/and it's such a shame about it/cause she's so pretty..."



That continues through the tight pop of "Golden Star," with its wavering strings and sharp drum machine, and the shimmering soft melody of "Gone Away." Worden expands her sound throughout the album, with whimsical songs about dragonflies in spiderwebs, angular drums, soft chiming pop, and electronic glimmerpop.



There's a lot of dimension in "Bring Me The Workhorse" that doesn't show up at first listen. At first it sounds like a basic guitarpop album, without many sonic trimmings. Then, after a few more of those songs, Worden's beautiful voice and the shimmering side instrumentation start to really pop.



The instrumentation is very taut, close and interwoven. Sometimes Worden keeps it spare and unpolished, but at other times the synthy balladry can blossom into an orchestral wave of strings. At other times, it's just little unadorned guitar melodies and a backdrop of drum machines, or maybe some blippy synth or violins.



It certainly doesn't hurt that she's an opera singer, with a very rich, smooth voice. But listen more closely, and the elongated notes, soaring vocals, and rolling enunciation start to emerge. Her lyrics are as spare as the guitar melodies ("One day I may go for the longest while/Don't be too shocked/I get tired of sneaky societies and combat boots..."), and they could use a little more polish, but are okay.



My Brightest Diamond makes a solid debut, with exceptional vocals and deceptively simple-sounding music. Okay, the lyrics need a bit of strengthening, but otherwise "Bring Me the Workhorse" is an outstanding little album."