Album Review

This album showed up at sweetdisaster HQ kinda late considering it apparently came out almost two years ago, but no matter: what a breath of fresh air. After all the hardcore and metal craziness we subject ourselves to around here, it‘s nice to chill out once in a while, and this, Holly Nelson‘s debut CD, is an exceptional aid in that quest. Her backing band on this album features one ex-member of seminal 1990s band The Prayer Chain (guitarist Andrew Prickett); Nelson, like the dearly-departed Chain, calls California home, and her music reflects a breezy, carefree, upbeat Cali vibe, combined with a distinct rock tinge. I‘d file this under my ‘rock and roll‘ CD catalogue, as opposed to, say, indie or acoustic.

These songs are well-constructed, traditional pop rock, no two ways about it, and Ms. Nelson gets points for sticking to her strengths: her voice, her band, and her penning some terrific songs. Experimentation, if she‘s so inclined, can wait for other albums, and she focused on making her debut something special. With a voice that recalls the lightness of Leigh Nash (Sixpence None the Richer) and songs reminiscent of Sarah McLachlan in structure, these are twelve very strong tunes, including a solid cover of Tom Petty‘s ‘I Won‘t Back Down‘ (featuring some ace background vocals) among other gems like ‘Masterpiece‘ and ‘Wholly Loved‘.

Lyrically, we‘re not talking U2 calibre here, but Nelson‘s simple, personal songwriting is immensely appealing. Can you say "amazing choruses"? Highly recommended.