Michelle Branch Album: “The Spirit Room”

Michelle Branch may be about the same age as many of the blonde dancers who have taken over the music scene of the past few years, but it would be wrong to compare her music to theirs. While Michelle and the blondes (is it just me or does that sound like the name of a '80s group?) may all be able to produce catchy, radio and MTV friendly songs, they really are as different as night and day. Michelle actually writes her own songs and uses real instruments. Her music is more like the music performed by people like Fiona Apple or Alanis Morrisette than the singers who are her age.

I'm feeling lazy today, so instead of really writing a good review, I'm just going to list the songs and make comments about them.

Everywhere- 5/5 Everyone reading this has probably heard this song a million times by now, but it's still great. It's catchy and upbeat without really being pop.

You Get Me- 4/5 I like this song, but it can get on my nerves sometimes. It's good, but not one of my favorites.

All You Wanted- 6/5 No, it isn't a mistake that I gave this a 6. I really love this song. It's my favorite on the CD, by the way..

You Set Me Free- 4/5 This could have been a mediocre song, but it's still good. It reminds me of something that Jewel would sing.

Something to Sleep To- 3.5/5 I would like to love this song. I really would. However, I just can't. It's a pretty decent song, but it's a little too generic in my opinion.

Here With Me- 4/5 This isn't one of my favorite songs on the album, but I still like it. It's nice and flows well.

Sweet Misery- 5/5 Here's another one of my favorite songs. It's catchy and will stay in your head for hours..

If She Only Knew- 3/5 This is one of those songs that I probably should like. Most people I've talked to say this is their favorite song by Michelle Branch, but I don't really like it. I think it's well-done, but not my thing.

I'd Rather Be In Love- 4/5 Another good song. I have a habit of mixing it up with 'Here With Me' though...

Goodbye to You- 4.5/5 An almost perfect song. It's really sweet (in a sort of sad way), but after hearing the 'live' version on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' I have decided it sounds a lot better live.

Drop In The Ocean- 5/5 This one's my second favorite song. It's pretty different from the others and her voice sounds really cool in it.

This CD is absolutely fantastic! It's always in playing in my stereo, and is above all my most favorite CD in my collection. Michelle's voice is young, powerful, and rich, and though she might not be as popular as fellow artists Jennifer Lopez or Ashanti, her vocals are definitely equal, if not better, than both. Her range is awe-inspiring and amazingly strong for an eighteen-year-old, and her nice sound is something that music has been missing for awhile now.

1. Everywhere -- We all know this song. The song is thoughtful and instantly likeable, and it was an excellent choice for a debut. I'm glad Michelle picked this as her introduction to the music world. The melodies are beautiful.

2. You Get Me -- This is probably my least favorite track of the CD. Michelle sounds pretty and the song has interesting lyrics, but I'm just not that into it.

3. All You Wanted -- Arguably the best track on this album. We all know it, it was on the radio for months. It's catchy, beautiful, and Michelle's vocals are amazing.

4. You Set Me Free -- This song caught my attention the first time I played it. The rhythm and beat are instantly catchy, but the lyrics are rather typical. I still like the song, but it got old after awhile.

5. Something to Sleep To -- Some like it, some hate it. Personally, I love this track. But it takes some getting used to, in my opinion. The main melody is slightly different from most of the other ones. I also think the lyrics stand out among the best on the album, but it took me awhile to like the rhythm.

6. Here With Me -- This track moves well and sounds good with Michelle's vocals, but I don't think it's one of the best ones on the CD.

7. Sweet Misery -- Now this is an awesome song. The catchy beats and the lyrics stayed in my head for HOURS. The lyrics weren't too original, but Michelle's driving vocals on this track along with the beautiful melody make up for it.

8. If Only She Knew -- Everyone likes this track. It's definitely one of the best ones on this collection; the "triangle" story that's being sung is also very interesting and original.

9. I'd Rather Be in Love -- Like "Something to Sleep To," it took awhile for me to get used to this song. The melody and rhythms took time for me to like them, but now I think the song is amazing. I loved her driving voice and the creative beat.

10. Goodbye to You -- You can definitely tell that Michelle put a lot of power behind this one. This is the most beautifully sung track on the entire CD. I love this version, but frankly, I don't care much for the version that's being played on the radio. I feel this one is much better, highlighting Michelle's vocals more, and personally feel that they should've released this one over the new version.

11. Drop in the Ocean -- I didn't like this one at first, but I do now. It's a lot different than the other tracks on the CD, but that's what makes it unique. I'm glad they finished with this track. I really liked the slow, sway rhythm used in the beginning along with Michelle's voice.

Overall, this CD definitely adds to my collection. Michelle's off to a great start in my opinion, and I'm highly impressed with the amount of talent she has at such a young age (take note that she often composes and writes the lyrics to her own music). I can't wait to hear more from this new artist. All in all, I highly recommend this buy. You won't regret it.

I first heard the song "Everywhere" on the radio and I loved it. I bought the cd and Everywhere is not my favorite song or the best song on the album. Michelle Branch is so genuine and authentic: a quality missing in today's pop scene which is commercially controlled. This is a fabulous debut album and I hope Michelle continues to write and play her own songs, something that separates her from many music groups today. The album starts out musically and lyrically strong, but I feel the quality dies with the last two songs. If the songs were in a different order, I think my opinion would be different because "Goodbye" and "Drop in the Ocean" are not of the same quality as the rest of the songs. Despite this, I would reccommend the album for anyone who likes pop but is looking for a more original, genuine artist. You should also buy this if you have an eclectic taste in music. Her voice is beautiful, her guitar playing wonderful and the lyrics soulful. I hope to see more from Michelle Branch in the future. Personal favs include "Everywhere", "All You Wanted", "Here With Me", and "Sweet Misery".

I guess you can say that I pretty much gave up on pop music a few years a go when the teenyboppers seemed to take over the place. But now I guess you can say I've found a few artists to listen to again, artists that write their own music and play their own instruments. Michelle Branch was one of the first ones I saw. Her debut CD the Spirit Room is moving and filled with great songs. She shows potential for even better music next time. Here's the break down on the songs.

1. Everywhere- The first single. An up-tempo poppy song that's enjoyable but not the greatest. 3/5 stars.

2. You Get Me- The string section in the beginning really threw me but this is defiantly a good song. With a middle tempo, You Get Me is just a sweet romance-y song. 4/5 stars.

3. All You Wanted- The second single and the reason I bought this CD. A more rockish single that you'll be humming all day. 5/5 stars.

4. You Set Me Free- Another great song, more poppy than anything but better than Everything. 4/5 stars.

5. Something To Sleep To- A straight out ballad that I LOVE. Real string instruments in the back ground make it a memorable song. 5/5 stars.

6. Here with me- A nice little song you'll be singing for days. 4/5

7. Sweet Misery- A really cute song. Simple and good- 4/5 stars.

8. If she Only knew- Good little song but not the best on the album. 3/5

9. I'd rather be in love- A very good song about love. The lyrics are quite memorable. 5/5

10. Good-bye to you- My favorite song in the entire album. A simple but well-written slow sad song about saying good bye. 5/5 stars

11. Drop in the Ocean- This song has an almost slow-techno feel to it. It's one of the more original songs on the CD and one of the greatest 5/5 stars.

All in all the CD was very good. There was not a bad song in it and quiet a few amazing ones. I recommend it to people who are sick of the stereotypical pop music that litters the air waves. Enjoy!

Michelle Branch's THE SPIRIT ROOM is awesome. I took a chance when I bought it `cause the only song that was out at the time was "everywhere." I was instantly singing along to the lyrics. It had a certain edginess to it. Anyway after purchasing THE SPIRIT ROOM I was very pleased. It's awesome. Michelle's voice is strong and each track gets a does of electric guitar therapy.

`ROOM' also incorporates some great hip-hopish beats. It's pop but with edge. As I flipped through the liner notes I noticed that Michelle wrote all 11 tracks. I find that refreshing for a young "pop" artist. Although I think THE SPIRIT ROOM leans more toward rock than pop. Did I mention she plays the guitar? And well too. `ROOM' doesn't stray too far from the radio-friendly formula.

In fact, If you like songs like "everywhere" and "all you wanted"; you'll definitely enjoy the entire CD. It's very well put together. Each song is just enough. Not too much edge, yet not too poppy. It's well balanced. Other great highlights include "you get me", "you set me free", "sweet misery" and "drop in the ocean."

When you think about it each track is a highlight. I don't think there's a bad song on here. The only song that sorta drags (if I had to pick one) is "something to sleep to." For some reason I wasn't feeling that track. It's an OK song but not great. THE SPIRIT ROOM is a great mix of pop and rock with enough melodies to keep you interested. It certainly did it for me.