Search - Rosie Thomas :: Only With Laughter Can You Win

BEAUTIFUL CD!!!

01/31/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was flipping through books in a bookstore when the song "You and Me" started to play -- it made me stop what I was reading and walk directly to the music section to find out what was playing. Her voice and lyrics were so raw and tender - I was totally blown away. I bought the CD and found it to be one of those rare CD's you can play from start to finish and every song is consistent in mood -- and it just flows... I read a few of the reviews on this CD which totally surprised me - and actually compelled me to write a good review for this artist. I found it bizarre that people would be so incredibly offended by a woman singing about her faith. What a pity these people can't respect a woman who writes her own lyrics and stays true to who she is and what she believes in -- and doesn't sell out and sing songs that are 100% commercial crap. Bottom line: This is GORGEOUS CD and I'm thrilled to have found it!"

Hey Daniel!

Chris J. | Seattle, WA | 09/25/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think you misinterpreted the meaning of that lyric in "Tell Me How." The actual lyric is - "How am I to define what faith is to a child/when the only explanation lies within/how am I to tell them if they never follow Christ/that heaven doesn't hold a place for them?" And, given it's context in the rest of the song (which seems to be all about grappling with various weighty, personal questions) and the final line of the song ("Oh how? Oh how? Tell me how when I'm no better than them"), the sentiment here seems to be exactly the opposite of what you've walked away with. In other words, Rosie is questioning how she could be expected to hold such an untenable opinion when each individual's interpretation of "faith" isn't hers to define. It seems to me that she's actually going a bit out on a limb here, bravely questioning the beliefs held by the religion she herself subscribes to. The lyrics are included in the album art - take a second to read them and see if this interpretation doesn't fit a little better than anything else.And, that's indicative of the subjects she addresses on Only with Laughter Can You Win. Whereas her first record, When We Were Small took a look at the people and memories of her childhood, the new record takes a fairly unflinching look at her present. None of the soul-searching on the record seems to be an effort to shove anything down anyone's throat, but rather an attempt to try to examine/make sense of her feelings, experiences, and yeah, her faith.It's a sweetly affecting and reflective record, hopefully you'll give it (and her) another chance."

Beautiful music from a beautiful heart

S. N. Rhodes | Chicago, IL | 11/16/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rosie is an amazingly beautiful person. I interviewed her last night, and I am in love. Who wouldn't be? The woman writes songs like she lives: open and honest. You want to hug her because sweet people like her deserve it. I think the person who said meet her first had a good point. Not only is she touring with Damien Jurado, giving you two great performances; but she is a genuinely warm individual. I think the songs will take on a new meaning for you after that. Plus, you might get to see Sheila and her band...they do one song: "Eye of the Tiger"...oh, yeah..."