Post by Laura--I wuv u all :) on Sept 22, 2003 11:42:31 GMT -5
Daryl Braithwaite-"Higher than Hope"
Year: 1991
Genre: pop-rock
Daryl is very well-known in Australia, but not that well-known here in the USA. In the '70s and early '80s, he was the lead singer of Sherbet, later known as Highway, later known as the Sherbs--you all may have heard them under one of these names.
The CD I'm reviewing here is actually a US release that is a combination of 2 of his Australian solo releases, "Edge" and "Rise". The title song got some airplay in the US for about 2 weeks or so and then disappeared, but I always liked it, so when I found this CD at a yard sale last year I bought it and have been playing it out the wazoo ever since! 
...Oh yes, the review:
1. "Higher than Hope"--As I said, this got some airplay, so you may have heard it. It's one of those lively, peppy, brassy songs (like "Sussudio" or "St. Elmo's Fire") that's good to listen to in the morning when you're trying to wake up--or ANY time, for that matter. Very optomistic lyrics, too: "Stand up and let them know/that you just won't let go." One-time LRB member John Farnham sings backup on this, as well as on most of the other songs on the CD.
2. "Nothing to Lose"--This is one of my favorites. The rhythmic acoustic guitar part at the beginning hooks the listener in right away. It's a mid-tempo, upbeat love song on which Daryl displays a wide vocal and dynamic range.
3. "As the Days Go By"--Starts out fairly subdued, and then explodes into power-ballad territory during the chorus, which finds Daryl sounding a bit like Sammy Hagar. This is another nice one--oh heck, ALL the songs on this CD are nice.
4. "Waters Rising"--This is probably the most downbeat lyric on the CD, about a flood. The song is wonderfully dramatic and powerful without being melodramatic. Love the echo effect on "it's such a cold (cold...) old world" during the chorus (it's hard to describe it, you have to hear it, but it sounds really cool). BTW, that's Daryl playing the harmonica near the end.
5. "All I Do"--Sort of a power ballad with a throbbing beat a la U2's "With or Without You". Catchy chorus and nice guitar work.
6. "One Summer"--In a word: FUN!
Daryl sounds a lot like Huey Lewis here and the percussion and rhythm guitar add to the lively feel, providing an almost reggae-ish beat. This is definitely one of my favorites.
7. "Don't Hold Back Your Love"--Co-written by Richard Page of Mr. Mister fame, this is a breezy romantic song with nice percussion touches and great lyrics: "You gotta get up every single day and face the judge and jury"--we all can relate to that, right?
8. "The Horses"--Dreamy evocative ballad written by Rickie Lee Jones and Walter Becker (I think Rickie's original version was on some soundtrack?). Superb musicianship all the way around, and fine soulful vocals from Daryl and backup singer Margaret Urlich (I don't know much about her, but she has a nice voice).
9. "I Can See Higher than Before"--Thought-provoking R&B-ish ballad inspired by Daryl's trip to China (this is one of only 3 songs on this CD that he wrote or co-wrote). The chorus is almost folkie-sounding, what with the acoustic guitar and sing-along vocals. (Listen very carefully to the very beginning of the song when the percussion starts and you can hear Daryl (or someone!) saying "4, 3, 2, blast-off." It's very soft--I didn't catch it until about the millionth time I listened to it!
10. "Goodbye Blue Sky"--Sort of similar to the previous song, but softer. The lyrics aren't as well-written, but it's still a nice well-sung ballad and a great way to close out the CD. The first line goes: "Look on, share my emotion." Thank you, Daryl, for allowing us to do just that.
Well, there it is, my first review here. (Did I do a good job?) BTW, I checked amazon.com and this CD isn't in stock, but you can find new & used copies there. Or you might luck out like I did and find a copy in your area. Anyway, check it out!
Year: 1991
Genre: pop-rock
Daryl is very well-known in Australia, but not that well-known here in the USA. In the '70s and early '80s, he was the lead singer of Sherbet, later known as Highway, later known as the Sherbs--you all may have heard them under one of these names.
The CD I'm reviewing here is actually a US release that is a combination of 2 of his Australian solo releases, "Edge" and "Rise". The title song got some airplay in the US for about 2 weeks or so and then disappeared, but I always liked it, so when I found this CD at a yard sale last year I bought it and have been playing it out the wazoo ever since! 
...Oh yes, the review:1. "Higher than Hope"--As I said, this got some airplay, so you may have heard it. It's one of those lively, peppy, brassy songs (like "Sussudio" or "St. Elmo's Fire") that's good to listen to in the morning when you're trying to wake up--or ANY time, for that matter. Very optomistic lyrics, too: "Stand up and let them know/that you just won't let go." One-time LRB member John Farnham sings backup on this, as well as on most of the other songs on the CD.
2. "Nothing to Lose"--This is one of my favorites. The rhythmic acoustic guitar part at the beginning hooks the listener in right away. It's a mid-tempo, upbeat love song on which Daryl displays a wide vocal and dynamic range.
3. "As the Days Go By"--Starts out fairly subdued, and then explodes into power-ballad territory during the chorus, which finds Daryl sounding a bit like Sammy Hagar. This is another nice one--oh heck, ALL the songs on this CD are nice.
4. "Waters Rising"--This is probably the most downbeat lyric on the CD, about a flood. The song is wonderfully dramatic and powerful without being melodramatic. Love the echo effect on "it's such a cold (cold...) old world" during the chorus (it's hard to describe it, you have to hear it, but it sounds really cool). BTW, that's Daryl playing the harmonica near the end.
5. "All I Do"--Sort of a power ballad with a throbbing beat a la U2's "With or Without You". Catchy chorus and nice guitar work.
6. "One Summer"--In a word: FUN!
Daryl sounds a lot like Huey Lewis here and the percussion and rhythm guitar add to the lively feel, providing an almost reggae-ish beat. This is definitely one of my favorites. 7. "Don't Hold Back Your Love"--Co-written by Richard Page of Mr. Mister fame, this is a breezy romantic song with nice percussion touches and great lyrics: "You gotta get up every single day and face the judge and jury"--we all can relate to that, right?
8. "The Horses"--Dreamy evocative ballad written by Rickie Lee Jones and Walter Becker (I think Rickie's original version was on some soundtrack?). Superb musicianship all the way around, and fine soulful vocals from Daryl and backup singer Margaret Urlich (I don't know much about her, but she has a nice voice).
9. "I Can See Higher than Before"--Thought-provoking R&B-ish ballad inspired by Daryl's trip to China (this is one of only 3 songs on this CD that he wrote or co-wrote). The chorus is almost folkie-sounding, what with the acoustic guitar and sing-along vocals. (Listen very carefully to the very beginning of the song when the percussion starts and you can hear Daryl (or someone!) saying "4, 3, 2, blast-off." It's very soft--I didn't catch it until about the millionth time I listened to it!
10. "Goodbye Blue Sky"--Sort of similar to the previous song, but softer. The lyrics aren't as well-written, but it's still a nice well-sung ballad and a great way to close out the CD. The first line goes: "Look on, share my emotion." Thank you, Daryl, for allowing us to do just that.
Well, there it is, my first review here. (Did I do a good job?) BTW, I checked amazon.com and this CD isn't in stock, but you can find new & used copies there. Or you might luck out like I did and find a copy in your area. Anyway, check it out!
