Rachael Yamagata - Happenstance

Album Details

Artist: Rachael Yamagata
Album: Happenstance
Label: RCA / Nettwerk
Year of Release: 2004
ME Rating:
Reviewed by: dscanland on 2004-11-29

Recommend

I had heard a few ramblings in magazines with reference to Rachael Yamagata and her amazing voice and songs. One day I saw Happenstance on a listening station at the local music store and I was instantly sold. I'm not one to swoon over female singer/songwriters but Happenstance is one that is worthy of swooning. The first track, "Be your love" is nothing really special. It sounds like the album could go either way but when you get to track two, "Letter Read", you know that you are onto something special. It has this minor key piano riff that is as dark as night but Rachael manages to keep the song out of despair. Then we are treated to a fantastic pop track that should be played on every radio station in the world. It is called "Worn Me Down" and it sounds like something you've heard but nothing you have ever heard. Then we get into a great display of what Yamagata's voice can do on the gentle ballad "Paper Doll". When you think that she can't get any gentler, she does so on "I'll Find A Way". "1963" is a great piano rock song that is fairly gentle but rolls along nicely with Rachael's voice guiding the way. Then one of the finest tracks on the album is one appropriately titled "Quiet". She has a strong voice and very good talent for writing some nice songs. I think that we will see Rachael Yamagata reach some pretty lofty heights in the near future, if not from Happenstance.

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on 2007-12-21 greg Said:

what a brilliant first release by an amazing human being. rachael sure puts it down like no other. comparisons to other artists are unneeded as she stands alone. this is a classic album. you know one that you have to play from start to finish when you put it on and there can\'t be any messing with the track order either neither!! the track\" i want you\" with the klezmatics is just frickin perfect. \"reason why\"can make you cry if you let it.\"letter read \"has such a beautiful beat ...the piano/bass/percussion opening ...oooh. \"these girls\".. too much good...all the tracks are well written and played as they should have been. i just have this thing for \"meet by the water\"...that song pretty much has stuck to me like crazy glue since i heard it for the first time. for me it\'s love....said best by rachael..she knows her way around the topic as no other does. if you don\'t like this album you must have serious aural deficiencies and should go get it checked out by your family doctor. if nothing is wrong then i guess there is just no hope for you and i wish you the best. p.s. hi rachael !!! [god her freckles are so gorgeous}
Rating: 10/10

Review:

on 2007-05-04 dscanland Said:

Yeah, this one grew on me. I still listen to Happenstance to this day. Hope she has a new one out soon!
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