Angie Engles | Columbia, MD United States | 04/01/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What can you write about an album that breaks your heart and lifts it up at the same time? I had never heard of Abra Moore before I bought this CD. I took a chance after hearing "I Do" off a sampler CD from PASTE magazine. If you've given up on the recording industry and don't think modern music has anything to offer, just listen to EVERYTHING CHANGED.Abra Moore's voice is hard to categorize but if I had to: I'd say she sounds a bit like Victoria Williams and Billie Holiday with the intimacy and innocence of Karen Carpenter's voice thrown in. The truth is, though, that Ms. Moore is foremost her own person. She writes her own lyrics, plays several instruments (including the drums) and isn't afraid to throw away the formulas of pop. (I read somewhere she was originally encouraged to be like Michelle Branch or one of Ms. Branch's many sound-a-likes; instead of going that route, she revamped the album she was working on and came out with one of the most dreamlike, heartwrenching CDs you will ever hear.)The opening track "I Do" is a lush, positive song and gives comfort to those lonely feelings you get late at night. From the beginning notes to the lovely bridge, this song takes off and flies. No words can capture its beauty."No Fear," "Taking Chances" and "Melancholy Love" all have a slight edge to them which provides relative ease from the more heart-breaking moments on the album. These are the more happy, in-control songs."Family Affair" and "Pull Away" are perhaps the best songs I've heard on any album in the past ten years. They pull at your heart and won't let go and if you've just been going through some issues of your own, you better reach for those tissues. I dare you to listen to: "Don't take away the one love that matters./And I'll get well, you'll see. You're all I have, you're my family." and not lose it. It's not just the words, it's the way she exposes her whole self on the album, the way the simple lushness of the music reminds you of the days when harmony really MATTERED in a song.I can only wonder if I'll ever hear an album this good again."
She's back ... and better than ever!
M. Carter | Rock Hill, SC United States | 04/12/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Welcome back, Abra! After a six-year departure from music scene, every indie pop/folk/rock lover's favorite unknown artist has returned ... and what a return EVERYTHING CHANGED is.Abra's newest album shows her in true, rare form and marks her return to the type of folk/pop music that influenced the latest influx of pseudo-indie teenage singer/songwriters. She uses electronic arrangements and unusual instruments (French horns, anyone?) to showcase her ethereal, gossamer vocals and simple, beautiful lyrics. These arrangements never overpower Abra's piano work or vocals; instead, they allow them to become the album's splendid centerpiece.Every song on EVERYTHING CHANGED offers a marvelously candid, frank view of romantic and familial relationships. The album's emotional highlights include "Family Affair" and "Paint on Your Wings," two stunning songs that Abra wrote just after her father's death. "Big Sky" and "Taking Chances" are a pair of intelligent pop smash hits waiting to top the music charts. "Pull Away" and "I Win" detail the emotional aftermath of a messy breakup. "Shining Star" proves to be a soothing yet stately finale to an amazingly simplistic, beautiful record."
True and truer.
C. Francis | London | 06/27/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I feel this CD is just as delicious as eating a favorite delicacy you just can't get enough of. My first Abra purchase I do admit, all I knew of her was the 'Four Leaf Clover' hit a while back. But after listening to the first couple of tracks in a local Barnes & Noble, I knew I had to have it! Her voice is unusual, making listening more interesting. A must have for those whose taste for music is eclectic and beautiful."
Strong return from Abra
Stephen Doig | New Zealand | 03/09/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"One of popular music's best kept secrets, Abra Moore is a singer/songwriter whose formidable talent still outweighs her moderate level of success 10 years on from her brilliant solo debut 'Sing'.
Judging by her new album 'Everything Changed' she's been through alot in the intervening years, both personally and professionally, with lyrics touching on love, loss and the breakdown of relationships. Far from being depressing though, 'Everything Changed' is ultimately beautiful and uplifting.
Once again with Abra it all just clicks for me, her delicate voice and turn of phrase seem to slip past my defences with consumate ease. This collection runs the gamut of emotions from 'Big Sky's' blissful optimism to 'The Ends' heartache and despair. Along the way she gracefully deals with the death of her father in 'Paint On Your Wings' and 'Family Affair' while engaging the listener with poignant, bittersweet lyrics and melodies, such as those in the hypnotic 'Melancholy Love' or stormy 'I Win'.
Truly, this is a landmark album, not only for Abra but for popular music as a whole. Very few artists reach the heights of beauty, intensity and honesty that Abra has here.
An aside: I'd urge anyone that has enjoyed 'Everything Changed' to seek out her debut 'Sing' - it's the purest distillation of Abra's talent and stacked with great songs. Also, for a similar feel as Abra, try Gemma Hayes' 'Night On My Side' or Jane Siberry's 'When I Was A Boy', both are excellent."
Everything Heavenly
Randy Berkman | 03/24/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the long awaited album from this Grammy nominated pop/folk princess--with the childlike-womanly voice that never fails to entrance.Every song is great both lyrically and musically. All are Abra written except the second half of SHINING STAR which is a cover of I'M NOT IN LOVE (by 10cc): "I'm not in love so don't forget it. It's just a silly phase I'm going through." I'M NOT IN LOVE was appended on to underscore the "I've moved on" message of SHINING STAR.BIG SKY is the upbeat rocker and first single. It's also the best song to start a plane trip by: "6 o'clock we'll be taking flight....So high...just you and me and the big sky It's all we are...It's all we are It's all forever." Uplifting and energizing. An unintended benefit is that it should help neutralize some people's fear of flying. Like every song on the album, will probably find itself on movie and tv soundtracks. SHINING STAR embodies the letting go essence of forgiveness in its repeated "shining.....shining...shining" which she radiates to an old flame who hurt her deeply. May elevate Abra to sainthood as it transforms its audience. Made me cry the first time I heard it--live in 2002.NO FEAR was the title of her unreleased album for J Records. It's the first Abra song with horns backing. Shows her love of the jazz era--and sounds like a pop-jazz fusion. "Come on in now...Come in out of the crowd...Stay awhile won't you....Stay here in front of me. Take your chances on what could be....Feel no fear." One of Abra's favorites.PAINT ON YOUR WINGS is the stunning tribute to her father who died after a long painfull illness. Slow raw emotion with acoustic guitar only "Paint on your wings It's time to fly...You're finally going to know what's on the other side." Will probably find itself on tv and film sountracks as background for the death of a father.PULL AWAY is the most beautiful expression of longing I've ever heard. Slow, simple beauty not of this earth. Lyrically reminiscent of Carole King's classic WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME TOMORROW. PULL AWAY lyrics: "What will we do when the morning comes? When we say good-bye will we let go slow? How will it be in the future? Will we feel the same? Will we remember? Here comes that love again It just won't stop us so we try to be together. It's the love of a lifetime...tryin' to find the love we've got." (...)I WIN and THE END are somber, melodic blues apparently expressing the break-up referred to in SHINING STAR. Good enough to Grammy in blues.EVERYTHING CHANGED was recorded at her sister's house with Abra's piano only background. Captures what she sounds like in her slower live songs. "Slow down Moving too fast. Nothing will last. Slow down" she reminds herself in this recent reflection on the move from J Records to her current label Koch.MELANCHOLY LOVE has an exotic, mesmerizing uptempo bass beat. A look back at a youthful unconsumated romance: "I'll cry a river if I lay in your bed....We were runnin' wild and young....It was only just for fun wasn't it? Melancholy love." I DO was written for a friend in the middle of a deep depression. "Every once in awhile something's got to bring you back....All the stars in the sky can't help you remember why Who could ever understand. But I do." Lovely melody expresses its prayerful affect.IF YOU WANT poetically describes romantic misunderstandings "Sometimes signals get crossed and love gets lost...But if you want me to I'll turn back around and forget the whole deal....I've fallen in love with you and it just burns..." Another heavenly melody.TAKING CHANCES was voted one of the most memorable musical moments on Dawson's Creek--with good reason. This is vintage, slower Abra--with poetic lyrics that stand on their own: "I'm taking chances I wear my heart on my sleeve I'm walking backwards into the future This world is getting too deep." Her long-time producer and former lead guitarist Mitch Watkins produced and backs up vocally and instrumentally with usual great effect.FAMILY AFFAIR was written for her step-mother when they were not getting along. "How do we begin to say 'I forgive you' How do we begin to repair this family affair"? Was on the soundtrack of Buffy The Vampire Slayer and will no doubt be on more. Could also be used effectively by psychologists, family therapists, and families. Like much of Abra's music--sweet and healing. This album is one of my all time favorites and good enough for multi-Grammys. Let's hope radio plays it and Abra finally gets the recognition she deserves."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1
