Beth Schafer - Build That Bridge

Published Tuesday 4th September 2007
Beth Schafer - Build That Bridge
Beth Schafer - Build That Bridge

STYLE: MOR / Soft Pop
RATING 3 3 3
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 30305-13023
LABEL: Independent
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1

Reviewed by Mark Vyner

I found this album by a 2006 American Idol Underground winner in the faith-based category rather hard going. The style is acoustic based percussive pop and there are some nice guitar introductions and gentle riffs, as well as some nice instrumentation in many of the songs. These show through in the live tracks at the end demonstrating that Schafer is a pretty good musician. The songs though are average, although opening (and closing) track "Build That Bridge" is repetitive without being anthemic, and the saccharine over-production with multi layered voices meant I soon found myself reaching for the skip forward button after one listen. Thankfully it isn't representative of the album. Generally the style is aiming at guitar-based percussive pop, and although at times there are hints of a KT Tunstall or a Suzanne Vega trying to break through, there isn't the gutsiness of the former or the clever melodic craftsmanship of the latter. At times the result is reasonably pleasant, until you listen to the words carefully, which at times are simply banal. Examples, "A way to say aah, a way to say ooh, a way to say ohhh thank God I'm alive", or "I'm looking for Sha-la-lom, I'm praying for Sha la la la la la la lom."

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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Reader Comments

Posted by WillyG in Florida @ 18:09 on Sep 5 2007

Idol Underground winner for a reason dude.... Tens of thousands of people got it, and voted. Music doesn't have to be depressing to be good. Yes, the refrains are simple and catchy. Listen more intently to the verses. You will find the depth you are looking for....



Posted by Dylanbloom in Altamonte Springs, FL @ 17:22 on Sep 5 2007

To quote the Police: "Do do do do, da da da da, is all I want to say to you." Performers that do positive, hopeful music (James Taylor for one) never seem to get the credit for making something fun and uplifting unless there's a truckload of angst in tow. I've heard Beth's album, and while it's not shaking problems in our faces, it definitely point to a more civil, more loving world, and with songs you can sing along with to boot. I'm okay with that.



Posted by LBS in America @ 15:11 on Sep 5 2007

So I guess the Beatles ending to "Hey Jude" (La, la, la, la, la-la-la, la) would be considered saccharine and banal too?!? Or how about "Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be"??? I guess the everything the Beatles did prior to Rubber Soul sucks too.... Repetition isn't bad or an indication of a lack of depth - it's an artistic expression used to drive home a point. Oh, and I'm not comparing this CD to the Beatles, so don't get your nethers in a knot.

Despite your statement otherwise, "A Way To Say Ah" isn't about making vowel sounds. The song let's us know that prayer can take many forms - is that a bad thing?. Despite the world's best efforts, you can't beat the simplicity of Jesus's message - but that whole "love your neighbor" thing would probably just bore you...

Funny (not) - it seems that the few negative reviews of this project focus on the fact that this project isn't "heavy", "sad", or "minor" enough - it doen't have enough angst to satisfy the "artistic" reviewer. At what point did happy & light in describing how to get along as one people become a BAD thing? Sounds like you didn't take your happy pill prior to reviewing this project....

Oh, and this is my children's favorite CD right now - my kid's BS filter is pretty righteous so I'm going to go with their opinion over yours.



Posted by kewlju in florida @ 14:47 on Sep 5 2007

I not only found this CD to be inspirational, but touching on all the things that should bring us together, instead of keep us apart. I think thats the message of the whole piece and unless you are astute enough to "get that"...well....
This CD combines a compilation of her best (most popular) pieces with some new pieces. Some of the older pieces have taken on new life with new treatments, rhthyms and vocals, adding to the magic of this entire CD.
I wouldn't expect everyone to "get it", but come on, at least try!

Regards
The KewlJu



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