Peter J Ryckaert | Honeoye Falls, NY United States | 01/28/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After seeing Wilshire in concert opening for Seal I took a chance on this CD. I can't stop listening to it. If people take notice and start listening Wilshire will be unstoppable. She has an amazing talent and the album is just loaded with good songs. I don't actually like the "hit" cut but better most of the other songs on the disc. You have to buy this."
Promising pop/rock sound.
D. Mok | Los Angeles, CA | 12/01/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Wilshire's caught some flack for its Christian music background. It's true that some of Micah and Lori Wilshire's lyrics have an inspiration bend, but they also have enough musical hooks and arrangement smarts to make their "affiliation" an irrelevant question.Lead single "Special" caught my ear for its unusually clean, slick pop/rock sound. I've never considered studio sheen to be a liability, necessarily, and I think the single sounds good aside from Lori Wilshire's overly cutely vocal high end on the verses. She has a strong voice and the dressy vocal flourishes seem unnecessary. She sounds much better when accessing her ballsy rock voice on soaring choruses. Unlike Shannon Curfman, for example, Lori Wilshire is able to sound rocky without resorting to Melissa Etheridge-style rock-mama cliches. And Micah Wilshire provides vocal diversity with good vocal support. Their songwriting is slightly uneven but this record contains a good number of potential hits: The catchy "Special"; the melodically twisty "Turn It Around", with its pretty harmonies; the appealing vocal duet "In Your Arms"; and the dreamy "Go On", possibly the most distinctive track on the record.As with many acts of this ilk, Wilshire can use more sonic and emotional diversity. The clean, slick sonics which had made "Special" stand out to my ear at first also does become monotonous, with the same fat guitar tones, reverbed choruses and big rock drums from track to track. This is an act that has the basics of songwriting, hooks and vocal ability down pat, but could use a touch of eccentricity and experimentation."
Great New Pop-Rock!
Smiley Smile | Boulder, CO United States | 10/10/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Saw Wilshire on Tv& decided to try Cd. I am very happy I did. New Universe is one of the best new Cds I have heard this year!
Wishire has a fresh,upbeat, melodic approach to modern rock which sets them apart from other young groups. Highlights of the Cd for me-are their single,"Special" ,The beautiful love song"fool
for you" & the last two tracks on Cd- "Go on" & "tonight"While these are highlights for me -I enjoyed whole CD-buy it & you will enjoy it too!
Note: CD includes video of "Special""
An Instant Classic
Smiley Smile | 10/10/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a gorgeous pop-rock record, reminiscent of the classic, melodic pop of the '60s and '70s. Lori and Micah harmonize beautifully, and the songs are solid from top to bottom--you may have heard the poppy single, "Special," but there's a real range here. There are two unforgettable love songs, the duet "In Your Arms" and the timeless waltz "Tonight" (both with huge string arrangements), as well as charming Beatlesque tunes like the noirish "I Know What You Did" and the bouncy "Fool for You" and earthier fare like the uplifting "Turn It Around" and the rockin' "Without You." Lori is one of the finest, most soulful singers out there, and Micah's vocals and guitarwork are a perfect complement. One of the most satisfying albums of the year."