Brooke Fraser - Flags

Published Thursday 16th June 2011
Brooke Fraser - Flags
Brooke Fraser - Flags

STYLE: Pop
RATING 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 103183-17806
LABEL: Wood And Bone WAB003
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RELEASE DATE: 2010-11-01
RRP: £12.99

Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

After the success of 'Albertine' and a bit of a break from music, Brooke Fraser set up camp in East West studios in Hollywood to create her best album yet. Already a success stateside and in New Zealand and Australia, even BBC Radio 2 have succumbed to the sheer catchiness and pure pop of "Something In The Water". There are some great collaborations here including the chiming "Betty" which was co-written with Jon Foreman and the gentle, charming "Who Are We Fooling" which features British favourites Aqualung. I love the atmosphere captured on "Ice On Her Lashes" and have to confess that I think I prefer Brooke when she's creating intimate, stylish, vibey ballads than when she is pumping out more upbeat material. So "Crows + Locusts" and the title track are really on the money for me. Brooke Fraser is turning into quite a songwriter and slowly getting the mainstream recognition that she truly deserves. With a beautiful voice, intelligent heartfelt arrangements and perfectly crafted songs, Brooke's career continues on an upward trajectory.

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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Product Description
'Flags' is a dreamy, alternative-pop collection that showcases Brooke Fraser’s agile soprano, lilting melodies and knack for telling her stories through the lives of vibrant characters on songs like Betty, Crows and Locusts, Jack Kerouac, and Ice on Her Lashes.
“I’ve never used as many characters or as much narrative in my songwriting as I have on this record,” Brooke says. “On my previous albums, I was singing completely as myself, which is why I think I got so burnt out from touring. 'Albertine' was inspired by incredibly significant events and people and every time I’d sing I’d go back to that moment where my heart was ripped open. So singing such heavy songs nearly every night for three years took a toll. On 'Flags', it’s still me speaking, but it’s me speaking through the voices of different characters and their stories. It’s more survivable.” The album also features a co-written duet with Aqualung’s Matt Hales, titled 'Who Are We Fooling?'
The first single 'Something in the Water' has already been playlisted on UK Christian radio.

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