Search - Wreckers :: Stand Still Look Pretty (W/Dvd)

The Wreckers deliver a enjoyable debut album that is easy on

A. G. Corwin | 05/23/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Throwing away the chains of pop music stardom, and basking in her new motherhood, singer Michelle Branch has formed a new band with friend and Kansas City native Jessica Harp to write and perform modern country music with a rock and roll touch. Performing with heart and energy, The Wreckers offer the pleasing mixture of country and pop that has become a staple of today's Nashville, delivering several sure singles, several stand out tracks, with some enjoyable tasting filler in between.



The songs feel comfortable and familiar, whether its due to some similarities with Branch's earlier work or just their ability to sound a lot like the Dixie Chicks. But even the filler tastes pretty good. The first single Leave the pieces is a pure modern country-pop song, full of tight vocal harmonies and with violins and banjos providing flourishes to the guitar heavy arrangement. Fans of tv show One Tree Hill will remember The Good Kind, a more plaintive and emotional song with Jessica and Michelle trading lines in their pleasant voices; Sometimes it's hard to tell where Michelle's voice begins and Jessica's ends. Tennessee, another potentially huge single, has a definite Faith Hill feel to it, with a soaring chorus and is one of the best tracks on the album. My Oh My and Crazy People are more traditional country songs, driven by banjos and having a bluegrass flavor that makes for a highly addictive combination. The powerfully gentle title track Stand Still Look Pretty and the soft track Rain are more somber and reserved and musically more diverse, and fit in perfectly with the overall tenor of the record.



Spending the summer on tour with Rascal Flatts seems appropriate for The Wreckers, since they deliver the same type of easily digestible modern country that sounds darn good on the radio. It's not the most adventurous songwriting in the world, and it probably won't win praise with critics because of its commercial viability, but its a heck of a lot of fun nonetheless. If you enjoy Dixie Chicks, Rascal Flatts, or Michelle Branch's previous work, you will enjoy this album. The writing is solid, the music is as slickly produced as you would expect from a bevy of Nashville producers and Jessica and Michelle's friendship makes for some beautiful music. This version is the limited edition that contains a short DVD and an acoustic version of the great song Tennessee. Either album will suit you fine, but this version is more for the hard core fan. Recommended.



A.G. Corwin

St.Louis, MO"

Like M2M singing Country

J. Aleman | San Diego, CA United States | 05/26/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Okay, you want to know what M2M has in common with The Wreckers ( Michelle Branch & Jessica Harp) right ?



Well, what I always liked about M2M was that the voices would blend so well yet at the same time you could enjoy each distinctly. This is the same great sound that The Wreckers have on their album. (another poster also agrees on this)



This album is one of those that you here once and just know it going to be a favorite. Personally I like Country, so I like the fact that someone like Michelle, who is a singer-songwriter & musician decided to make a country (pop-country) album and not feel obliged to bow down to the MTV mentality.



I went ahead and got the version with the DVD. Apart from the video of the song "Leave the pieces" it also has a making of video. But since this is the first album, the girls also explain how they got together and you see them interact. A great way to get to know them.



Please don't let the "Country" label keep you from enjoying a great album."

Funny, I Thought I Hated Country Music

E. Pena | Anaheim, CA USA | 05/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I always loved Michelle Branch. Then I heard about Jessica Harp and fell in love with her. One thing I defintly dont love is Country Music. I was weary when i heard this was indeed a country album but once i heard the first track i fell in love again. Over all all of the songs are very well written and the duet has beutiful voices that just makes you feel bad in their break up songs and feel good in their happy songs. I definitly recoment this Album if your a fan of Michell or Jessica. Even if you dont like the Country elements of the Album, youll definitly look past it and fall just love it."