Soon To Be Discovered Treasure...
J. PAYNE | DC / Maryland, USA | 01/28/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Wow...I can't believe I am the first to be reviewing Ariel Abshire's "Exclamation Love", a still-being-discovered 2008 masterpiece! If you haven't given this a listen, you need to!
Ariel Abshire hails from Austin...(what is it about Austin and Texas in general for all of these FANTASTIC under-exposed and under-appreciated female singer-songwriters?) Incredibly she is just 17 years old. This is her first release. What a freshman effort...her voice is both angelic and powerful. Her songs (which she writes, and has been since middle school) are composed as if she has experienced a lifetime of love, loss, and lessons. Despite the maturity in her writing, there is still a pleasing air of adolescent fun in innocence in the background. Not too much, just enough!
What I immediately noticed and really like about this release is the subtlety of the backing music. Nothing overpowers or drowns out Ariel's voice. This is refreshing!
How would you classify it? I hate trying to assign it a genre, because it stands on it's own. It's unique. Pop-country? Southern Pop? Pop-Rock with a Texas twist? I don't really know. It's just darn good.
Critics love her. Her growing fan base loves her. She is down-to-earth and accessible. There is a lot of talent in a petite, beautiful package.
Please visit Ariels mySpace at www.myspace.com/arielabshiremusicforreal to hear full versions of many of these songs. you won't be disappointed!
There seriously is not a "dog" on this record. The best songs are "Exclamation Love" (could easily be a pop-crossover Top-10 hit), "Nervous" (a beautiful ballad), "Unknown Encounter" (a real showcase of Ariel's vocals), and "Thin Skin". "Spots" and "I Didn't Know People Could Do That" are pleasant and upbeat. "Goddamn New Mexico" is a favorite of the critics. I guess I am not helping you too much! You really need to check them all out. Buy the CD, or download it.
Ariel is the real deal. No hype here. No over-production. Just a lot of fresh, genuine, all-American talent.
[...]"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1