Review Summary: At times all one can gather is a sense of child like innocence from the composition, at others her lyrical work shows the inherent depth to such a concept.
The perfect remedy for a melancholy view on life is escapism. Nothing helps an overactive imagination escape into a wonderland of your own creation, quite like music can. Not all albums have the ability to whisk one away in such a manner. But Wonder by Lisa Mitchell is the perfect example of an album which can truly send ones mind on a trip.
Lisa Mitchell's debut album Wonder is a beautiful example of how the singer songwriter genre will never go stale. She perfectly takes the songwriter ideals and couples them with indie music's quirky philosophies and values. Truly a deep and meaningful album.
Stand out tracks include Coin Laundry, Neopolitan Dreams and Oh! Hark! Coin Laundry has been described by some as a Hip Hop lullaby. A most unfitting title. Coin Laundry is a beautiful song which captures the child like innocence of puppy love, both musically and lyrically. Lyrically, like most singer songwriters Wonder is a most interesting album. Love is a common recurring theme which is emphasised through Lisa's very dynamic vocal style. Pieces such as Love Letter, explain the trials of the road and how it affects an artists love life.
The Indie aspect of Lisa's music comes from her arrangements. Her willingness to explore the unconventional arrangements which she has on the album, show her courage as an artist. Nevertheless her experiments in arrangement all serve a purpose. Her use of electronic sounds and xylophones compliment her traditional backing of a 4 piece band. Musically through those quirky little chimes and electronic flourishes, Lisa grasps with both hands her Indie crowd.
Vocally Lisa is incredible, not content to follow the typical Australian Idol road, to become a powerhouse voice, with pop wannabe written all over her forehead. Songs such as Sun Sun Sun perfectly show her dynamic style, using volume as a tool for expression.
The profound storytelling instilled deep from her heart, with beautiful yet sometimes daunting messages spread across the album, show her skill as an artist. She is both physically and mindfully intoxicating. At times all one can gather is a sense of child like innocence from the composition, at others her lyrical work shows the inherent depth to such a concept.
An amazing album which I truly love.
