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07/22/10 Joe’s Pub - New York
07/24/10 Lucky Dog Music Hall Boston, MA 07/27/10 Fire Philadelphia, PA 08/05/10 CW 11 - NY Morning News 08/07/10 Visions VCB Valley, NY 08/12/10 Musikfest Bethlehem, PA 08/14/10 Arts - East N.Y. Festival 08/25/10 Best Buy - Union Square NY 08/26/10 Visions New York, NY |
Lachi is a singer-songwriter I hadn’t heard of until recently. When reading another review for the new album, which is self-titled and due for release July 27, I was drawn to read more when I saw that she was born blind and is playing with an all-blind band.
Not too long ago I was thinking about the fact that in recent times there really haven’t been any emerging musicians that are blind. The most current artists I can think of are Andrea Bocelli, and of course, Stevie Wonder and the late Ray Charles.
I always have great admiration for people who are labeled with a so-called “handicap” and go on to do greater things than most will ever do. There is something mystifying about those who can’t see the world through their eyes. Their other senses over-compensate, and magnificent super human senses develop. I can’t imagine how different that world is.
Lachi reflects her confidence and inner beauty through the song “Ugly Beautiful,” on this album as she repeats the lyrics, “Tell me, why should I change?” She seems reassuringly secure with who she is today.
She pours out lyrics, revealing her vulnerability and struggles. Telling stories of love, friendship, and perspective. I felt that a lot of the album was very reminiscent of the 90s ballads that were full of female angst, such as Meredith Brook’s “Bitch” and Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know.”
Her uncomfortably bittersweet vocals will definitely cause you to stop what you’re doing and listen. There’s nothing common in the soulful, folky melody she resounds. Her voice plays on your sensory receptors as you’re left deciding if you like what you’re hearing.
Although her voice stands out as being unique, I found most the production on the album to be redundant and unoriginal. Songs like “Ugly Beautiful” and “Slow Down” stood out while others didn’t. I think she has potential and hopefully we will see this followed up with a more mature sophomore album.
07/21/2010 22:14:10 ♥ nicole (
) ♥ ulachi.com ♥ myspace.com ♥ @ulachi
