Amanda Abizaid – This Life

With a back catalogue including songs that have been used all over US TV including E4 favourites One Tree Hill and Smallville along with a previous release being the theme tune to the Sci Fi series The 4400, Amanda Abizaid remains an unknown name here in the UK. I think she deserves to have a bigger fan base over here, especially with the upcoming release of This Life.

Abizaid has a soft voice; the vocals that almost sound as though they come with built in echoes. Of course, effects have been used to enhance this voice but the natural talent is evident from the very first track on this eight song album. Blue Star Red Sky has been mixed to create a sense of a lot going on behind the vocals. Whilst this isn’t something I’m desperately fond of – I’m all for the voice, deservedly, being the centrepiece – it works in this track.

Undivided is more favourable for me because of the husky vocals and the use of the flute. Yes, that’s right – the instrument I once gained passes up to Grade 2 in is being used in this record. Anyway, that’s enough of my musical history, the lyrics tell their own intriguing story here which always scores brownie points in my book. Both Believe It and This Life show the stronger side to Abizaid’s vocals. Without too many competing sounds, her voice sounds much more powerful and is generally more pleasant.  And the latter has a lovely chorus that you can’t help but sing-along to – much to the despair of those around me as I belt it out at a far less impressive standard.

It’s the last track, My Friend, which I particularly enjoyed for its slow tempo and solemn tones. The verses gradually build up to the chorus, singing of poison being turned into medicine – oh, how I love a good metaphor! Overall, it’s a short, but sweet, album from the Lebanon born singer songwriter. I’d have liked a few more tracks with some simple vocals that weren’t being hidden by effects, but I can’t really complain.

www.amandaabizaid.com