Search - Amy Cook :: Sky Observer's Guide (Dig)

The Real Thing

searight | Bay City, MI USA | 07/07/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had never heard of Amy Cook until I saw the film about her on the Documentary Channel, Amy Cook: The Spaces in Between. I was very moved by her story and her dedication to performing. Having seen that film, I visited her web site ([]) and downloaded many of her songs from Amazon. I am not easily impressed, but Amy Cook is the real thing. Her voice is haunting and moving. Every word seems to come from her heart. Having watched the film, I worry that she is too open and vulnerable.



I wonder why her fans haven't posted dozens of positive reviews in this space.



I think her second album - this one - is better than the first. It's not to be missed. Download it and listen carefully. It's flawless. It has a timeless quality but remains contemporary. Amy Cook is a talented musician who deserves success. In this case, I hope deserving does have something to do with it."

Something deeper, more meaningful

Feminist Review blog | worldwide | 07/21/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Written over the course of a month, Amy Cook's second album, The Sky Observer's Guide, is a strong albeit average album. Whereas Amy's first album was just her and her guitar, this album showcases her band: Nina Singh on drums, Brad Rice on guitar and Bobby Daniel on bass. Cook's songs have been featured on many television dramas, including Dawson's Creek, Veronica Mars, Laguna Beach and The L Word. Once learning this, I expected a cheerful, easy pop sound and was pleasantly surprised to get something entirely different.



Cook's voice is reminiscent of a softer Jenny Lewis with echoes of Mazzy Star and much more melancholy than anticipated. The album is effectively smooth, and, although there are a few more upbeat songs, overall, it is a softer listen. My only disappointment was that there were few specific songs that really stuck with me. Most are more suitable as background music, which makes sense that her music has been used as such.



However, the album finishes strong with my two favorites: "Pearl" and "Feathers To a Crown." I was hooked particularly by the lines: "These are hard times for dreamers/We are just pennies in a wishing well/We ain't going to buy/We ain't going to sell." Lyrics such as these show Cook's potential to go beyond music used for a few temporary moments during a television scene, and into something deeper, more meaningful and, thus, permanent."