Consistently Revealing
03/06/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I think of Michael Fracasso as one of music's treasures - kind of like a great secret you keep to yourself. His work is easily as important as fellow Austinite Alejandro Escovedo but for whatever reason Al gets all the press. "World (in a drop of water)" finds him more reflective than the outstanding "When I Lived In The Wild." These songs reveal their depth slowly over repeated listens. For example, the opening "Hospital" carries the listener along with it's driving music and lyrical hooks and then you realize the song is about an addict and a teenager's death. Of course that's my the way I see it, which is another of Fracasso's strong points - his songs lead to many interpretations. In "Changed Your Mind" the partners seem to get together again - I think. That's not to say that you'll be scratching your head listening to these songs - there are many upbeat tunes here that will have you singing the hooks for days - see "Chain Link Fence" and "Started On The Wrong Foot." Finally, all songs are sung in Fracasso's angelic voice. The musical accompaniment is outstanding throughout with many unique instruments to grab your attention. Charlie Sexton's production brings the songs to life without going overboard. Perfect thinking man's Rock/Folk."
HIS BEST SO FAR
Patrick Earley | Edmond, Oklahoma USA | 08/19/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This newest venture by Fracasso is his best work yet. It's a much more pop oriented album than his last one "When I Lived In The Wild". But you still get the angelic voice of one of today's best folk singers. He's also turning into one of our best songwriters. The creative juices are really flowing here, helped along with the flawless production of fellow Texan Charlie Sexton, who also contributes his talents on many of the instruments played here, including some of the fabulous multi-layered guitar work. Many of these songs have a Beatlesque quality to them. Especially OUR FINEST HOUR and the title track WORLD IN A DROP OF WATER, with their Sgt.Pepper like orchestral backing. But for me, the songs that really standout are STARTED ON THE WRONG FOOT, GOLD, and YOUR GIFT TO ME. Songs Lennon and McCartney only wished they had wrote. This album should have a nice crossover appeal for both the folk and pop fans alike. Fracasso is as good a songwriter as the Forbert's, Ely's, and Escovedo's out there. I just hope one day he gets the recognition he deserves. As for "World In A Drop Of Water", it is a very satisfying listen from beginning to end, and comes highly recommended."