Since 1996

     Your Gateway to Music and More from a Christian Perspective
     Slow down as you approach the gate, and have your change ready....
 
Home
Subscribe
About Us
Features
News

Album Reviews
Movie Reviews
Concert Reviews

Top 10
Resources
Time Wasters
Contact Us

 

So Typical 
Artist: Julie Gribble  
Label: Independent
Length: 10/35:56

I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that within two years most of you will have heard of Julie Gribble. She meets the criteria that a lot of record producers and TV folks are looking for: she can sing, play guitar, write her own music, and do all of it reasonably well. She also happens to be young, female, and stunningly good looking. Having been featured in Nickelodeon shows, in a Lifetime movie, and as musical guest on "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" last week won't hurt either. 

Gribble's vocals are a mixture between Aimee Mann, Natalie Merchant, and Mindy Smith, and musically, she travels the same ground, wandering from folk pop to adult alternative and occasionally into the borders of Americana. "Little Bit Lonely" is easily interpreted by the title alone, while "Hard To Say" depicts a wistful parting of the ways.

"So Obvious" is a driving rocker, with a Lisa Loeb vocal feel to it. "Bartender Please" is full of pathos and lends itself to a country folk, almost mournful, style.  "Simple Grace" speaks of the double edged sword of wanting to feel loved and wanting to be right:

If there is a taste of warmth in any way
Will you savor the last sip or cry while they run away
You know you've had too much
You're loving every minute or two 
''Cause the moment always goes and 
You're left with only you.
Working with former Tonic producer Dan Lavery, Gribble has crafted an album of songs dealing with raw feeling, angst, and ambition. She has high hopes for the listener to understand her, and she almost pulls it off.

Brian A. Smith
23 October 2005


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 Copyright © 1996 - 2005 The Phantom Tollbooth