The Wreckers - Way Back Home - Live From New York City deliv
R. Warren | Statesville, NC United States | 01/12/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Way Back Home: Live From New York City This dual disc (one CD and one DVD) is a record of their performance at The Bowery Ballroom in NYC. As such, it is a standout, and will stand up to many listenings (some live shows don't). The DVD, with video of the concert is a nice bonus in a two-disc set that sells for little more than a CD alone would. Also included on the DVD is some bonus interview footage giving a snapshot of how the two performers were feeling and approaching their tour. The audio is almost flawless in production (for a live show). Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp simply sound great - beautiful harmonies!, and the musicians they have surrounded themselves with hit the nail on the head in most songs. Some critics have wondered what the heck pop princess Michelle Branch was doing by immersing herself in a duo - after battling to make it as a solo artist - and changing to country pop instead of pop, but as shown on Stand Still, Look Pretty and on this CD/DVD combo, it was indeed a great decision. Country pop (like "real" country music) offers up the possibility of "story songs" that can make an impact on the listener instead of the usual pop song that simply says "ooh baby I want to love you" over and over. With great looks, and great hooks, good writing, and good performances these two women look to be around a long time. The only semi-bad thing I can say about this package is that too many of the songs, no matter how great they are, seem to be in the same tempo. There could be a little more variety, especially for a live show where ebb and flow are paramount to a good show experience. But these girls are young, and I'm sure that will be corrected in due time, perhaps as Michelle begins to write more material, and the two women collaborate more. That's why I'm giving it four stars instead of five."
Worth the few bucks for this ...
WHF | New Milford, CT. USA | 02/12/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The only "Live" performance on DVD of The Wreckers, that I'm aware of. That right there makes it worth the few bucks to buy it. I enjoy these two gals, Michelle Branch & Jessica Harp. I like their style. I like their sound. It's really unfortunate, I think, that both Michelle & Jessica have decided to part company and go back to their solo works. I found them, together, to be quite entertaining. Their song "Tennessee" (which Jessica wrote) I thoroughly love. This is rather a smaller, more intimate show, here on this DVD. It's not a HUGE production with flashing lights and fireworks shooting all over the place. I've been to both 'types' of shows, many times, both LARGE arenas with pyro-technic treatments galore and smaller, up-close more intimate shows and I have to admit that a lot of these smaller-production, up-close and intimate shows are well worth it. I mean, that's just me. I attend both kinds of shows/concerts but, don't dismiss these smaller shows/venues quite so readily. This DVD is a good example of that. It's not a highly polished production but, sometimes that's what makes it even better."