In 2000 Michelle Branch had self-produced and released "Broken Bracelet", but it wasn't until she released her first official album, "The Spirit Room" that she achieved success. "The Spirit Room" had three hit singles: "Everywhere", "All You Wanted", and "Goodbye to You". That success continued the grammy winning song, "The Game of Love (with Santana)". Her second album, "Hotel Paper", which I'll be reviewing today, was released in 2003. After "Hotel Paper" she formed country band "The Wreckers", with recording artist and friend Jessica Harp. The Wreckers split in 2007 so the girls could focus on solo careers. Michelle then worked on what would've been her first country and third album "Everything Comes and Goes" but the album was pushed back a few times and eventually was released as a six-track ep, although some sites have said a promo cd with 13 tracks had been sent out. It was then announced that Michelle would release her next album "West Coast Time", which would return her to her pop/rock roots since "Everything Comes and Goes" was country. Unfortunately "West Coast Time" was pushed back so many times and was going to finally be released in Spring 2013 but it wasn't. It seems like Michelle has moved on from that album and is working on a new one. Hopefully this one will get released. But anyway here's my track by track review.
1) Intro: It's only a few seconds long and was used as the intro to the "Are You Happy Now?" video. Despite it being on the album I won't be doing a score for it so instead of being out of 130 points the album will be out of 120.
2) Are You Happy Now?: The first single from the album. The gained a grammy nomination for "Best Female Rock Vocal". I love this song so much. It was her getting her anger out and to now it's one of her most played songs on radio. 10/10
3) Find Your Way Back: "Are You Happy Now?" was more angry rock, while the next song "Find Your Way Back" was a happy pop/rock song that a lot of people can relate to. Not sure why it wasn't a single. 10/10
4) Empty Handed: "I'm packing my bags 'cause I don't wanna be, the only one who's drowning in their misery." That's part of the chorus and it's strange to think that I hated the song until after a horrible week I could relate to it and love it. The "la da da da" part always gets stuck in my head. 10/10
5) Tuesday Morning: A beautifully sung and written song. I love the "Please don't drive me home tonight, cause I don't want to be alone" part. She performed an acoustic version of the song on youtube and it still sounds amazing. 10/10
6) One of These Days: Ever have one of those days where you want your ex to come back and get back together with you? Well that's what this song is about. Good song. 8/10
7) Love Me like That (featuring Sheryl Crow): Michelle Branch and Sheryl Crow doing a song together? AWESOME! The song is amazing and in a way it's a lighter, country-like version of "Are You Happy Now?" but it's still amazing. Why wasn't it a single? 10/10
8) Desperately: I love this song and I was surprised when I hear that Jessica Harp did backing vocals for this song. It's about fighting your feelings for someone you really. I think everyone can relate that one. 10/10
9) Breathe: The second single on the album. This is my favorite song on the whole album. Whenever I'm having a bad day this song puts me into a good mood. The second verse is my favorite "Well it's all so overrated, you're not saying how you feel. So you end up watching chances fade and wondering what's real". 10/10
10) Where Are You Now?: There are a lot of ways to interpret this song. Some think it's about wondering how long until you find your soulmate, while I interpret the song as not seeing a friend and wondering if you'll ever see them again. But that's my interpretation of the song. Michelle also wrote this song by herself. 10/10
11) Hotel Paper: The title track. I was ready to give the song a 5 but I decided to listen to the song yesterday (yes I listened to it yesterday) and thought the verses were great but I'm not a fan of the chorus. 8/10
12) 'Til I Get Over You: This was the third and final single from the album. That surprised me because I had no idea this song was a single since I never heard it on radio. Then I found out it didn't have a video, which is another reason I didn't know it was a single. Despite her vocals being great and even singing in french in part of the chorus, it wasn't a good choice for a single. "Love Me like That" should've been a single instead. 8/10
13) It's You: Good way to end the album. Her vocals are great but this song is boring. 5/10
Since "Everything Comes and Goes" is seen as an ep, "Hotel Paper" is Michelle's latest album release in 11 years. Yipes! My favorite song on the album are: "Breathe", "Tuesday Morning", "Desperately", "Are You Happy Now?", "Love Me like That (featuring Sheryl Crow)", "Where Are You Now?", "Find Your Way Back", and "Empty Handed". Out of 120 points I give the album 109 points which is 90%, an A. Michelle's an amazing artist and hopefully her new album will be released soon.
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