Track Listing

1. Something Beautiful
2. I Was Born Without You
3. And the World Has the Nerve to Keep Turning
4. Eyes
5. Take Your Love Out on Me
6. Whether You Fall
7. Dumbo Sun
8. All Thumbs
9. Naked
10. Shine
11. Wilting Flower
12. Did I Sleep Through It All?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #67353 in Music
• Released on: 2005-06-21
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .26 pounds

Album Description
Tracy Bonham, the acclaimed singer and songwriter who burst onto the national stage with her #1 Modern Rock hit, "Mother Mother," is back with her most compelling album yet, 'blink the brightest,' featuring 12 of the most captivating, resonant songs she has ever written. The multi-instrumentalist, who earned a Gold record and two Grammy ® nominations for her debut CD, plays violin, piano, keyboards, guitar, and vibes on the new album. "This record goes back to my core, to the music that I really love, incorporating classical influences, rock and pop, sometimes an r&b or soul flavor," says Bonham. In search of diverse soundscapes, Bonham co-produced the album with Greg Collins, who has engineered and mixed records for U2, No Doubt, and Matchbox Twenty, among others, and Joey Waronker, who has drummed for REM and Beck.

Amazon.com
Lilith Fair darling Tracy Bonham doesn't have a lot to prove, at least not to anyone who paid attention to 2000's excellent Down Here, but on Blink the Brightest she barrels full-bore through a clutch of carefully chiseled songs as if the world had forgotten her. On some, it's with the force of a Jonatha Brooke--gentle but juiced with wisdom--while on others it's with the brewing intensity of Fiona Apple or the knowing poise of Joan Osbourne. Derivative, though, these tunes are not: "And The World Has the Nerve to Keep Turning" is a dazzling slice of outrage churned in a patient, pretty voice, and "Naked" reveals itself in bold, artful strokes. Where Bonham is at her best, though, is on the experimental-sounding "Wilting Flower." As her voice pulls away from the music and momentarily flutters adrift, you can't help suspecting that there are a lot of smart music buyers in America ready for an explosion of tightly wound female talent, and that this is their disc. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews

Almost as good as her first two..
Well, this album is certainly a little less aggressive in it's tone and that's not neccessarily a bad thing, though in this case it might turn out that that's the special something that made her first two albums impressive and engaging efforts. I think a lot of the songs on this album are very good and Tracy's song-writing ability has certainly matured. Still the songs don't tend to "soar" or "rage" or tend to "bare it all raw" like her past efforts. (Think "Kisses harder than me, Mother Mother, The One", etc)

There's just a little bit of an edge that I miss - at least after my first few listens.....instead of the aggressive or raw nature of her first two efforts, this album feels a bit more contemplative, meloncholy and introspective. All in all I'm pleased with the effort and I like what I hear, I just think some of the elements noted above that made Tracy special are not quite as ubiquotous as they were in her past efforts.

Still, losing the rage and rawness of one's youth is to be expected and one can only harness such a muse for a brief time so it's not wholly unexpected that she mature into the songwriter that shows up on this album.

I feel this has been a largely negative review and that's not really what I wanted to convey. Basically, I like the album a lot, it will probably grow on me even more on repeat listens and by and large it's an excellent effort.

A mature Bonham sound that's still unique
HOOORAY!! Finally a new TB release. After listening, I was a bit surprised...the girl has grown up, matured, but has managed to keep her signature sound. For a little on my favorite tracks, read on:

The opening track, Something Beautiful, is just that. Great vocals, great guitar, great everything. What a pleasing opener. Eyes has a very catchy melody and is a well done near-ballad. Dumbo Sun is awesome! A fun tune with fun lyrics. Shine is my second favorite on the disc. I love the inspirational lyrics and smokin' melody. Shine has the best chorus of any song.

Bottom Line: TB fans, this is a must buy. You won't be disappointed, in fact, probably very pleased with her mature sound. You can still hear some of the early Bonham influences here, but they are refined and polished. Thanks for the music, Tracy!

Simply Exquisite
Tracy Bonham's first two albums are quite good but they couldn't prepare me for how astonishing "Blink the Brightest" is. Where do I start? The following are my very favorite tracks- the title of "Something Beautiful" speaks for itself. The soaring "Eyes" is so filled with great hooks it's almost too good to be true. "Take Your Love Out on Me" has wonderfully witty lyrics along with a sweet melody and that exceptionally imaginative violin playing that is a signature of Tracy's sound. The arrangement of "Dumbo Sun" sounds like Tracy getting in touch with her inner Fiona Apple with comically nostalgic lyrics confirming that "I miss those days more than a little". I sure can relate to that one. "Shine" shimmers like the perfect soundtrack for summertime- just gorgeous! The assured "Naked" and "Wilting Flower" (with its summery refrain "Loves me anyway, loves me anyway, loves me anyway" evoking a girl plucking a daisy with her litany of "He loves me, he loves me not") are like intimate gifts. It's good to see that a bit of Tracy's angst has mellowed with maturity and is now more tempered with humor, albeit dark humor! "Blink the Brightest" ends with the sublime "Did I Sleep Through It All?" Not on this CD, she hasn't! So why isn't this woman immensely successful? Do your ears a huge favor and pick this essential Tracy Bonham album up. If you like a bit more angst and 'rawk' get her first two albums as well. Her debut album is titled "The Burdens of Being Upright" followed by "Down Here".