Meredith O’Connor- I am review

 Meredith O’Connor- I am (Review)

In 2013 Meredith O Connor released her self titled debut EP. It featured a song called ‘the game’, which begins as an acoustic ditty but gradually evolves into a synth pop anthem. Another track 14 miles is a slightly twisted rocker about dedication and jealousy with an intro that instantly grabs the listeners attention. And the brilliant Fleetwood mac-esque face that’s perfect. This was an EP that showed great promise but two years later this nine track album comes out, featuring the three previously mentioned songs and some songs that sadly don’t live to the promise of a genuinely great EP. 


This is not to say the rest of the album doesn’t have positives. Stronger is a duet featuring Garret Clayton (from Disney’s teen beach movie) it’s a very Disney style ballad but with a tempo change that took me by surprise on first listen. There is also guardian angel, another track that sounds straight from the house of mouse, it isn’t an instant hit but through repeated listens becomes her ‘let it go’ moment. 


However it is not all this promising. Take her lyrics for example, it’s clear the music is targeted to a younger audience, therefore the lyrics tend to be very direct, which sacrifices some of the depth it could’ve had. Take these lines for example: ‘I’m awkward, a little OCD’ (Just the thing) and ‘ When I first saw you I was like… oh my god’/ ‘you’re fricking perfect I think you’re the one’. (Distraction). These songs aren’t completely bad, the former also has one of the albums best lines (‘I’m in the clouds and I’ll probably never land’) meanwhile the latter has an incredibly infectious hook (‘distraction my reaction’). This only makes it more disappointing, I felt taken out of the album experience by rather cringeworthy lyrics on songs that could’ve been better. 


And that’s simply it! It’s an album of promise that doesn’t quite live up. It does seem well intentioned, mental health advocacy is important, it’s an issue that’s both well known and taboo. I’m not going to say I wholeheartedly loved the messaging, but if this album has made one person just ‘get it’ more with mental health then it’s worth it. 


6/10

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Discussing every beatles song (ongoing post)

Please please me I saw her standing there- it’s a good pop song, the ‘just 17’ bit is a outdated… but not as outdated as ‘run for your life’. I’d personally say I don’t give the song a ton (or enough) of attention but it’s enjoyable!  Misery- short little Lennon-McCartney song, I think for its length it’s good in the way that it doesn’t fuck around. Just a short glum, pop song that’s catchy for the time its on.  Anna (go with him) (cover)- I like songs where the verses are more catchy than the chorus, and I like the guitar riff! I don’t know if I like the chorus harmonies or not? Maybe that’s odd just don’t know about the backing vocals.  Chains (cover)- simple pop/rock song, simple but strong overall metaphor. Don’t think it’s particularly special or anything though, not the performance or the song.  Boys (cover)- Ringo ’s voice works here, even if it wasn’t the intention I like the splash homosexuality in the track! Unintentionally hints at them leading the permis...
Read more

Discussing every Radiohead song ongoing post

 Pablo honey You- I’m not saying this in a bad or ironic way or anything like that, it sounds like a heavy parachutes/ rush of blood era Coldplay song. Thom Yorke’s vocal performance is incredible, I love the guitars. Sure pablo honey is an ‘odd’ album in its reputation but this song is undeniably great.  Creep- speaking of undeniably great… come on? It’s perhaps overplayed but it’s a great grungy song. I think because it’s the single it gets too much hate. Overhated and overplayed I guess.  How do you- unlike the first two songs I think this is just mindless and chaotic rock, if it was any other era it’d be a b side.  Stop whispering- I like the ‘jangly-ness’. I don’t think it’s particularly remarkable overall, the lyrics I don’t really care for. The guitar solo is cool in its moments but it’s draggy. Thinking about you- it’s a good pace change, they needed to do that, it’s a little cringe, it could’ve been an innocent song about letting go but the wanking reference...
Read more