Twenty-year-old Anna Nalick is the rare artist who makes you want to grab pop music's wheels by the spokes so they'll stop spinning so fast. "Wait," the 11 songs on this debut disc say collectively to the newly initiated, ... more »"there's something substantial here." An onslaught of substance is more what it feels like, actually, and it grabs hold early. Though each of these songs is distinctive enough to avoid congealing with the others into a gorgeous glop of introspection, heavy sighs, and reflection, leadoff track and first single "Breathe (2 A.M.)" works small wonders as a flagship song. Its simple, lonely piano swirls into guitars that stop just short of rocking, allowing plenty of room for Nalick's unaffected voice to spill in. When it does, the music turns forest-thick and dreamy--influences run the Tori Amos indie singer-songwriter gamut, with streaks of Jewel and Alanis Morissette spiking out--but there's a naturalness and urgency to her singing that saves every chorus and verse from clouding over. Now that she's cautiously alighted into pop territory, sophisticated listeners will do well to dust off their welcome mats. --Tammy La Gorce« less
Twenty-year-old Anna Nalick is the rare artist who makes you want to grab pop music's wheels by the spokes so they'll stop spinning so fast. "Wait," the 11 songs on this debut disc say collectively to the newly initiated, "there's something substantial here." An onslaught of substance is more what it feels like, actually, and it grabs hold early. Though each of these songs is distinctive enough to avoid congealing with the others into a gorgeous glop of introspection, heavy sighs, and reflection, leadoff track and first single "Breathe (2 A.M.)" works small wonders as a flagship song. Its simple, lonely piano swirls into guitars that stop just short of rocking, allowing plenty of room for Nalick's unaffected voice to spill in. When it does, the music turns forest-thick and dreamy--influences run the Tori Amos indie singer-songwriter gamut, with streaks of Jewel and Alanis Morissette spiking out--but there's a naturalness and urgency to her singing that saves every chorus and verse from clouding over. Now that she's cautiously alighted into pop territory, sophisticated listeners will do well to dust off their welcome mats. --Tammy La Gorce
Shannon F. (angelicbeauty21) from CIRCLE PINES, MN Reviewed on 9/13/2006...
The songs are very beautiful and meaningful. Awesome CD!
CD Reviews
Far from a wreck
Amanda Richards | Georgetown, Guyana | 07/21/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The latest in a line of moody, deep female vocalists, California native Anna Nalick claims the influences of Fiona Apple, Tori Amos, The Cranberries, Blind Melon, John Mayer and Stevie Ray Vaughn. Pretty heady stuff for a 21 year old, who got her big break by knowing the right people at the right time, and having a demo tape handy.
In my opinion, she sounds like a mixture of Alanis Morissette and Sara McLaughlin, with the youthful buzz of Avril Lavigne in ballad mode.
Slower and more introspective than current pop offerings, her eleven song debut album sounds like something from a much more seasoned performer, not unlike fellow youngsters Joss Stone and LeAnn Rimes.
Nalick wrote all the songs on the album, blending haunting melodies a la Ms. McLaughlin with spiritually uplifting lyrics. The best songs on the album are "Breathe (2 AM)" where she sounds very similar to Alanis Morissette; "Citadel" a song that would fit in on any Sara McLaughlin album; "Paper Bag" which as you might guess sounds like an Avril Lavigne ballad; "Satellite" my personal pick; and the very Cranberries track "In My Head"; but they're all pretty good.
A young talent with a bright future.
Amanda Richards, July 21, 2005
"
Seriously Addictive
Diane | Wisconsin | 12/03/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am so seriously addicted to this CD that I can't fathom how I lived without it for the last seven months since it was released. I bought the CD after seeing Anna open for Rob Thomas in concert and was blown away by her voice and songs live. I didn't know anything about her beforehand. But I had the CD on repeat most of yesterday evening, and it's currently on repeat again right now. The whole CD. Not just a few songs. The entire CD is simply awesome. I've been taking it back and forth from inside, to the car, and back inside. Don't hesitate to buy this CD. You couldn't possibly be disappointed."
Life, love, and passion.
Josh Powell | Dillwyn, VA USA | 11/21/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Anna Nalick's "Wreck of the Day" is a beautiful blend of adult alternative and pop, covering topics such as love, relationships, and life in general. Deep, and well thought out lyrics give a powerful peak into Anna's own life, as well as a pleasant listening experience.
Although the music, lyrics, and vocals are all first-rate, I must say that my favorite part about the entire album is Anna's awesome vocals; deep, yet sweet, innocent and feminine at the same time. She is currently one of only two or three female vocalists I really enjoying listening too.
A lot of her songs are talking about love. Love forgotten, love broken, love wasted, love needed, you name it - it's in there. They seem to show a search for love, which she apparently hasn't found yet (see the song "In the Rough".)
While Breathe is probably the best song on the album from a pop perspective, the other songs are quite fine as well - just hard enough not to be boring, yet soft enough to be relaxing and though provoking
From a family-friendly perspective, the majority of the album should be fine for the entire family. While most younger kids wont be interested in some of the romance and love songs, there is nothing explicit or vulgar about it. Paper Bag, however, does use the D word two or three times, but that's the only cussing on the album.
If you're one who likes to stick to the mainstream pop singers (Britney, Gwen, etc), you probably won't like Anna Nalick, but if you're looking for some uniqueness, Wreck of the Day is the place to find it.
Quite bluntly, Anna has talent, and I look forward to watching it develop over the years to come and her future albums."
Very Impressive Debut
A. Maco | 05/11/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Anna Nalick may not stick out on a rack of CDs. She's another young, beautiful singer-songwriter. But, there is more substance to her album than most artists have in a single song. There are extremely catchy songs, extremely beautiful songs, but all are extremely well-written. There are no weak songs on this album. Every single song is a gem. Most of the songs can be grouped into one of two categories - folk/soft rock or pop in the style of Michelle Branch. Anna writes and sings both kinds beautifully, and it is important to note that her voice can be overpowered by her amazing songwriting. But, she does have a very pure, beautiful voice. If you've only heard "Breathe (2 AM)", the entire album isn't like that. There a few similar tracks, but many more are in the same vein as Michelle Branch. So, if you like anything Michelle Branch, buy this album because you'll love it.
1. Breathe (2 AM) - The first single. At first, it was my least favorite, but it just keeps growing on me, and it is now one of my favorites. Great songwriting, both in melody and lyrics. 9.6/10
2. Citadel - My original favorite. A very good song, and a spectacular chorus. However, other songs have grown on me more, but still a great song. 9.3/10
3. Paper Bag - A very Michelle Branch song. Very good, and I think it could be very successful. A good song, but there are better ones. 9.2/10
4. Wreck of the Day - One of my favorite songs on the album. I absolutely adore the lyrics, and the melody is wonderful again. 9.7/10
5. Satellite - Another great song, which I think could be successful. 9.4/10
6. Forever Love (Digame) - A good slow song, but the other slow songs are, in my opinion, more impressive. 9/10
7. In the Rough - My personal favorite song. The lyrics are great again, and the melody - wow. Just great. It's similar to Michelle Branch's style (sorry to keep comparing, but Michelle's the only one I feel is at all similar to Anna), but it's just crazily good. 10/10
8. In My Head - A good song, quite catchy. Not a personal favorite, but still good. 9.1/10
9. Bleed - Another of my favorites. Very unique, fun to listen to, and sing along with. Great songwriting, Anna. 9.7/10
10. Catalyst - This song will not leave me alone. Out of nowhere, I realize I'm singing it out loud, and not even realizing it. It's a great slow song, and a joy to listen to. 9.9/10
11. Consider This - A great way to close the album. Another good fast-paced song. 9.5/10
You can tell I'm a fan in that everything's over a 9. And, this is in comparison to my CD collection which I love. But, Wreck of the Day is among my top 3 CDs ever. So, if you don't know if you want to buy this CD or not - buy it. Now."
"Under the weight of your wings..."
ADRIENNE MILLER | TENNESSEE | 04/29/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Anna Nalick's Wreck of the Day is a promising and lovely album. She is a great and gifted songwriter and singer. When I first heard the song Breathe (2am) last year, her lyrics blew me away. All the songs are good. The best song on the record is In the Rough,:"I've got your love letters and I threw them all away, I hear you think that I'm crazy, I'm driving 95 and I'm driving you away, I shine a little more lately." The title-track is a sweet, mellow song,:"Desperately close to a coffin of hope, I'd cheat destiny just to be near you." Bleed is a powerful and willful song, and Paperbag is a song about accepting yourself and letting others in. A solid debut from Anna Nalick, hope her next album is just as good."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1
Shannon F. (angelicbeauty21) from CIRCLE PINES, MN 
