Rabbits On The Run

See, this is why you should do everything yourself. Vanessa Carlton's 4th album, although tune-wise just as good as her previous Heroes and Thieves, has MUCH MUCH better mixing. Her idea to use tape-recording is gotta be the best move she has ever made, especially when it comes to an album with only 10 songs, and none has more complex compositions as her previous work such as All I ask and Home. The music is simple, repetitive, but we want to listen to them over and over again for the fantasia, dreamy, child-like innocence she has put in, both in using the children's choir, and changing her voice-style.

Listen to her first album Ordinary Day, and listen to Rabbits on the Run, can you believe that it's the same person? Not only did she grow in voice, but for Rabbits on the Run she stopped singing groovy and raspy, but singing clear and full. This style not only melts so much better with her background vocalists, the children's choir, but succeeds in making her short album as precious as the short precious young memories we adults holds on to. I wasn't satisfied at all at how Heroes and Thieves was mixed, which was apparent in the fact that Irv Gotti, who works with R&B singers, overkilled in making her last album "radio-friendly." And what does "radio-friendly" mean? well, lots of unnecessary "energy-layering" for tunes that are meant to be simple and pure. For example, the mixing of "Hands on Me," initially a lush, sweeping song when Vanessa performed it on a piano, was some-how made into an 80-like pop-rock song, with background vocals that not only did not suite for Vanessa, but jumping in almost randomly, as if to scream: "YEAH WE CAN ROCK IT!!!". If Hands On Me was included on this album instead of the last one, the quality of that song would sound so much better.

Overall, this is a great improvement from her last album. Enjoying in listening to the (almost shockingly) soothing sound of Rabbits on the Run. Combined by tape, her gentle voice, and the children's choir. This album is for people who likes to listen to gentle, soft, soothing sounds at least once in a while, which means that if you are looking for some tune to dance to and rocking your head in your car, it's probably best for you to look elsewhere. If you are still not convinced. Let me just say this: Vanessa performed many of these songs live before she put out this album, and frankly, I was quite disappointed at not seeing any quality improvement of her writing. But after listening to the album I was more than relieved. It really doesn't matter, she knows what she wants: a real Vanessa Carlton album can only be an independent Vanessa Carlton. That's probaly true for most of talented artists nowadays.

If you need to listen to only one song to be convinced, I recommand my fav on this album: Marching Line
don't miss it!!! it's one of her best songs so far.

Ever since Heroes & Thieves came out, I've been listening to that album with Harmonium and Be not nobody and have been a loyal fan for years. In 2009 when talk of Vanessa's 4th album was being made, I couldn't wait. I've listened to live versions of Fairweather Friends, London, I don't wanna be a bride (much later) and Waltz (now Tall tales for Spring) and could not wait to hear the album versions of it. As a loyal fan, I downloaded and listened to Carousel the first day it came out and couldn't wait for the album to be releases on July 26, 2011, which is, today. Now that the album is released, it became more than what I expected with the uniqueness of her tape recordings, the children's chorus, the haunting, yet beautiful vibes the songs have (such as in "Hear the bells") and just Vanessa's same catchy tunes from her previous albums that I've always enjoyed. I was jumping in my seat while listening to the new version of Fairweather Friends since I've been listening to a live version on my mp3 player for 2 years. "Get Good" is another great song and so is "Dear California," but so are ALL of the songs on this record. Just like her last three albums, Rabbits on the Run is a must have for all true Nessaholics like me and anyone who loved "A Thousand Miles" back in 2002 and my all time favorites: "Who's to say (from Harmonium)" and "Hands on Me" and "Home (from Heroes & Thieves)."

Just like Stevie Nicks stated, "Vanessa is one of the great ones, and if you take her into your heart, she will never let you go," I am one of those people who will forever carry Vanessa and her songs with me since they've influenced my life so much and got me through my high school years and college. All I can say is give this album a chance and give Vanessa Carlton a chance. I will hold you forever in my heart Vanessa Carlton, because I am a true, loyal fan and will always enjoy your music and songs no matter how much they change. And no matter what Vanessa Carlton does in the future, whether she works on Film Scores, or other things, I want her to know that she will always have this fan's loyalty and support until the very end. Thank you Vanessa for making such divine music!

Without a doubt, this album is truly magical. As someone who never cared for Vanessa's previous work, I can say without hesitation that "Rabbits on the Run" is her masterpiece. I became obsessive about this albums release once I stumbled upon a youtube video of "I Don't Want to Be A Bride". It was everything I would like to say, and a sentiment very seldomly echoed. Other favorites of mine include "Fairweather Friends" and "Tall Tales For Spring". Although every song seems to have a piece of my heart. She brings us hope and light "...the goodness is something you don't have to chase, 'cause it's following you." (Carousel)and takes us to her dark places "And the graveyard on Elizabeth, where no one ever goes, kneeling praying to a gravestone, but the gravestone never tells" (Hear the Bells). The album SOUNDS amazing too, partly because it was all recorded to tape. Nothing flashy here folks, there are no smoke and mirrors. THIS is what being an artist truly is.

So if you have judged Vanessa from her past work, and think she has nothing to offer you, take a listen. This album will suprise you...and maybe put you under it's spell.

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