Brooke Fraser Albertine

Albertine, by Brooke Fraser, consists of very honest and poetic lyrics matched by her lovely and soothing voice. The melodies match the lyrics; they are soft yet powerful and beautiful in their own right. Many of the songs weave notions and/or images to create wonderfully sung stories about different types of relationships between two lovers, two friends, and the kind of relationship one has with oneself. She opens up all emotional dams and lets all of her thoughts and feelings flow into the songs.

“ShadowFeet,” the first track, instantly got my attention and I listened to it twice before listening to the rest of the album. The piano is not overly powerful but still remains the focus of the song as does her voice. Her voice is rather soothing and would be comforting to anyone who has ever felt similar to her. It tells the story of a woman going through obstacles and changing while her true self is retained in her “you.”

“Albertine” is possibly the best song on the album for its highly significant, serious meaning. It is a beautiful, tragic story calling for help for a country through a friendship, specifically Rwanda, which is a strife and war torn country. The lyrics are powerful, moving, and beautiful, “I am sitting still I think of Angelique her mother's voice over me And the bullets in the wall where it fell silent And on a thousandth hill, I think of Albertine there in her eyes what I don't see with my own Rwanda.”

The second half of the album is not as strong as the first part. However, “Hosea’s Wife” is the redeemer, matching the strength of the first half of the album. It has beautiful lyrics with a great message.