Michelle Branch

This A Wonderful Album, People Get The Wrong Idea When It Comes To Michelle Branch ,I Believe. Which Is Why So Many Popmusic Fans Are Dissapointed Or Bitter With Her Music. "Michelle Branch" Is Not About Being Pretty Or Singing With Outstanding Range. It's About The Arrangement, The Sound Of The Guitar Paired With Vocals That Are'nt Perfect. While Michelle Branch Can Harmonize And Play Guitar, Her Vocals Are Not Spectacular But The Passion In Her Songwriting And The Singing "Itself" That Captivates, She Also Has An Innocence About Her Which Makes Her Standout These Days. "All You Wanted" "Everywhere" "Here With Me" "Drop In The Ocean" Are My Favorites. I Play This Entire Album Without Skips

This album is still great 7 years after it was initially released. Not too many albums are able to maintain this amount of consistency from the first track to the last track and is able to hold up this well. There are a very few albums that are able to maintain quality thru the entire album. The song "Everywhere" will always be my favorite track not only because it is a great album opener but because it was what sold me on Michelle Branch's style and sound.

I remember when this album came out it was very different for the times. In 2001 artists like Britney Spears dominated the radio. A lot of the female singers sounded very much the same and very "manufactured" by their label. All of the songs were written by other writers with little to no input from the "artist". Michelle Branch was an exception to the rule, writing most of her music and she is able to play the guitar. To me the song became that much more special when the singer is the one who wrote the words because it makes it that much more personal.

There are probably very few people at this point who don't know who Michelle Branch is but if you had just recently discovered her music thru her country band The Wreckers take the time to listen to the samples, you will find this in a very similar the sound of her later work.

Entertaining and easy to listen too. Great vocals and guitar. Songs are excellent. Michelle is a very gifted musician and song writer. When can we get more?

This album has such gorgeous songs on it...I listen to it over and over. The meaning and feeling in each song is wonderful. Michelle Branch has such an amazing voice and she is such a great songwriter. True talent!

When I first discovered Michelle Branch in high school, I quickly became obsessed, and now she is my favorite artist. She's one of the most talented female singer/songwriters out there today. She writes, sings, and plays guitar in all of her songs, but none of them are repetitive or become too mainstream pop (i.e. Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson). The mark of a true artist is that they aren't afraid to collaborate in other genres, and Michelle has done just that with Santana and as half of the country duo The Wreckers. I do admit that I like her solo projects the best, though, and in many ways, I think her first album The Spirit Room is her strongest, becuase it's so raw and real and created her original sound. For me, it's a classic and one that I can listen to over and over at anytime, anywhere.

"My, Oh My" "Leave The Pieces" "Lay Me Down" (Michelle's Rock Version)[Not Included On The Album] And "Rain". I Prefer Michelle As A Solo Artist With Rock Influences, Other Than The Songs I Mentioned The Rest Of The Cd Is Dull.

The Songs Provided Are Not Rock, Not Country, And Not Pop/Country Or Pop/Rock. There's No Distinct Sound Which Aggrivates Me. Also The Blonde Chick Has To Go.

I love this cd! My 2 all-time favorite songs ever are "Tennessee" and "Memphis". They have great voices and lyrics!

The Wreckers is a band like no other. It is a collabaration between country singer Jessica Harp and alternative pop sensation Michelle Branch. I've been a fan of Michelle Branch ever since I heard 'Goodbye to you' on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and 'Charmed'. I noticed this band when I went on Michelle's web-site and it redirected me to the website of said band. I was instantly awe-struck by the background music of 'Leave the Pieces' and found myself visiting the web-site just to listen to the song. Therefore, knowing I couldn't just keep coming on-line to listen to a song, I decided to purchase their album from amazon.co.uk. I have never been more happy with a purchase. The album is flawless! It's interplay of Jessica's country and Michelle's pop makes an extremely well-rounded, inspiring, emotion-wrenching, heartfelt piece of art. It has a song for whatever mood you are in at the time; even if you don't particularly like country music, this will not disappoint you. The album's first track is 'Leave the pieces', which I previously stated stays in your head dangling on your heart-string when you so sorely need a boost of inspiration in your everyday routine. This song also did very well in the American charts and along with 'The Good kind' made the wreckers ever more famous in their home country. Said song is also extremely emotional, but oddly in an up-beat way. It's very hard to explain, but the Wreckers give you a sense of accomplishment like no other before them. They are both exceptional musicians. In between Jessica's more solo track 'Tennesse' and Michelle's solo track 'Rain', you feel an array of memories, imaginative sub-text, incredulous sorrow and up-beat irony (not necessarily in that order). It really makes you feel alive in a vast majority. Even at the end track 'Crazy People', which is a song for anyone scorned by love in any way, you are wanting the CD to keep playing and playing. You will never get enough and keep wishing for more, which I know is always a good feeling. Therefore, if you want your senses pricked, shaken, or stirred, this is the album that will open you up to a new generation of music and maybe even change your attitude of the world to a certain degree. I hope you enjoy this masterpiece as I have.

When I first heard michelle branch was releasing a country album, i was a but sceptical, i once i heard stand still look pretty i was amazed, this girl can do no wrong, i'm not a big country fan, and only bought this album becasue of Michelle, but this turned out to be one of my favorite albums of 2006, i'm looking forward to Branch's new solo album this year

I've heard these 2 gals described as a cross between the Dixie Chicks and SHeDAISY. I'd agree but also add in a touch of the sound of the Corrs, an Irish family band made up of 3 sisters and one brother. I doubt it was intentional, but I can easily imagine Andrea Corr singing Lay Me Down or many of the other tracks on this CD. Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp have, in my opinion, created a very enjoyable sound.
I don't know how many country fans have heard anything by the Coors but if you like this CD you may want to also check out some of their music.

Michelle Branch Is An Escape From Everything Else On The Radio [In My Opinion] Which Is Why I Like Her So Much. I Like This Album Just As Much As I Like "The Spirit Room". "Are You Happy Now?" "Tuesday Morning" "Finding My Way Back" "Breathe" "Where Are You Now?" And B-Side "Wanting Out" [Are You Happy Now? Single B-side]Are All Great Tracks, I'm Very Pleased With The Production of This Album. I See Alot of Fans Were Let Down With This Album, But In My Opinion I Thinks It's Great.

"Can't Please Everybody"

Most artists falter after a really successful debut CD, but not Michelle Branch. "Holtel Paper" maintains the same pristine musicianship displayed in "The Spirit Room" She is impressive and one to be reckon with. A lot of fans who play the guitar seems to really dig her, which is probably a a compliment in itself. "Are You Happy Now" the first track pretty much sets the tone and the more you listen to this CD, the more you are amazed. There's a duet with Sheryl Crow on track#7 which I find interesting because you can't hardly hear Sheryl because they mirror each other's vocals, and ofcourse there's "Breath" Let's all hope that Michelle will keep on making cool music.

Intro - ***
Are You Happy Now (initial single) - *****
Find Your Way Back - *****
Tuesday Morning - ****
Empty Handed - ****
One Of These Days - ****
Love Me Like That - ****
Desperately - *****
Breathe (second single. faired better than the initial) - ****
Where are You Now - *****
Hotel Paper - *****
Till I Get Over You - ****
It's You - *****

Cover Art: B+
Other Art: A-
Songwriting: B-
Production: A-
Length: A+
Overall: B--

56/13 = 4.75

4.75 stars.

Oh and IGNORE that, "SO superior to the sophomore album" thing I said about Her first album. It was great, but the Scores never Lie...

I am a big Michelle Branch fan.
It never ceases to amaze me the powerful sound
that comes out of this womans vocal cords.
I enjoy listening to this and the rest of her CD`s.

This is my fave CD ever. If you like real music, this is it!

What a travesty that most people still don't even know about this band. Routinely called Michelle Branch's 'side project', The Wreckers have proven to be one of the most seminal alt-country bands in history, despite the fact that they have just one proper studio album to their name.

My own love affair with this band began many years ago when I bought a copy of the 'One Tree Hill' Soundtrack (the first in the series). On it was a song called 'The Good Kind', which I played over and over, shocked that such a gem was hidden away on a soundtrack album that not many people would buy in the first place. Cut to a little while later when I find that the group consists of Michelle Branch and the (stunning) Jessica Harp, whose melodies harken back to a time when harmonizing was king. Listen to their voices blend. What production!

"Stand Still, Look Pretty" remains the Wreckers' only studio album, at the time of writing. Thankfully, the album holds up to repeat listening, and alongwith Dolly Partons' "All I Can Do" album from 1976, remains my favorite country album. Many country purists would argue that this isn't country music per se, but I beg to differ. Its far removed from the pop-country leanings of say, Shania Twain, but its also more elitist in many ways - comparable to Lucinda Williams. For the record, I thoroughly enjoyed this album much more than contemporary straight-forward country releases such as "Carnival Ride" by Underwood.

The reason why this live album is important is because, a) we do not know if the Wreckers will ever come together to record a second studio album, and b) they perform songs that appear on "Stand Still, Look Pretty", as well as rarities you can't get anywhere else. The product also contains the STUNNING live DVD of the whole performance. Its rare that both CD and DVD of one single performance would hold up to repeated listening, but it certainly does over here. I remember getting Madonna's "Confessions Tour" CD and DVD pack last year. While the DVD was great, I couldn't bother listening to the audio CD even once, and didn't even bother ripping it to my Itunes.

Not so with this compilation. Every song here is a winner, but the greatest track "Way Back Home" simply soars. Perennial favorite and their hit Country Single "Leave the Pieces" also features, and sounds every bit as lovely as it first did on country radio. Also of importance is "Tennessee", which I always felt was an underrated classic on the original album. The girls do indulge in some awkward stage banter here - flitting about with personal experiences and some mild trivia, but this only makes them more endearing.

At the end of it, The Wreckers solidly deserve mainstream success, and a whole lot of respect from both the folk and country music movement. The women have some great tunes, excellent delivery and harmonizing, and some really, really thought-provoking lyrics. None of your sappy teen romances here - the lyrics are poignant and read like poetry - stellar stuff.

A truly solid live album that deserves a place in every country music lovers' collection. You'll be thanking me for years to come. Just get this.

Let me start by saying these ladies are incredible together. Their music is not only catchy, but tends to stay with you throughout the day. I purchased this CD a few days ago and have tried to ween myself off of it, however, by the end of the day, I am right back to it. Every song is strong. No filler material here.
I recommend this CD to everyone. The DVD is just as good. Worth the $$ you will pay for it.

The only "Live" performance on DVD of The Wreckers, that I'm aware of. That right there makes it worth the few bucks to buy it. I enjoy these two gals, Michelle Branch & Jessica Harp. I like their style. I like their sound. It's really unfortunate, I think, that both Michelle & Jessica have decided to part company and go back to their solo works. I found them, together, to be quite entertaining. Their song "Tennessee" (which Jessica wrote) I thoroughly love. This is rather a smaller, more intimate show, here on this DVD. It's not a HUGE production with flashing lights and fireworks shooting all over the place. I've been to both 'types' of shows, many times, both LARGE arenas with pyro-technic treatments galore and smaller, up-close more intimate shows and I have to admit that a lot of these smaller-production, up-close and intimate shows are well worth it. I mean, that's just me. I attend both kinds of shows/concerts but, don't dismiss these smaller shows/venues quite so readily. This DVD is a good example of that. It's not a highly polished production but, sometimes that's what makes it even better.

Way Back Home: Live From New York City This dual disc (one CD and one DVD) is a record of their performance at The Bowery Ballroom in NYC. As such, it is a standout, and will stand up to many listenings (some live shows don't). The DVD, with video of the concert is a nice bonus in a two-disc set that sells for little more than a CD alone would. Also included on the DVD is some bonus interview footage giving a snapshot of how the two performers were feeling and approaching their tour. The audio is almost flawless in production (for a live show). Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp simply sound great - beautiful harmonies!, and the musicians they have surrounded themselves with hit the nail on the head in most songs. Some critics have wondered what the heck pop princess Michelle Branch was doing by immersing herself in a duo - after battling to make it as a solo artist - and changing to country pop instead of pop, but as shown on Stand Still, Look Pretty and on this CD/DVD combo, it was indeed a great decision. Country pop (like "real" country music) offers up the possibility of "story songs" that can make an impact on the listener instead of the usual pop song that simply says "ooh baby I want to love you" over and over. With great looks, and great hooks, good writing, and good performances these two women look to be around a long time. The only semi-bad thing I can say about this package is that too many of the songs, no matter how great they are, seem to be in the same tempo. There could be a little more variety, especially for a live show where ebb and flow are paramount to a good show experience. But these girls are young, and I'm sure that will be corrected in due time, perhaps as Michelle begins to write more material, and the two women collaborate more. That's why I'm giving it four stars instead of five.

I was at the concert when this CD was recorded. The Wreckers put on a great show and while I haven't listened to the live recordings, I can tell you that the concert was very good, so I'm guessing the recordings are great too!

Most of this musich is a non traditional Michele Branch CD. I ordered it for my wife and she did not like it at all. I am a drummer and the more I listen to it the more I like it, but that is not why i ordered it.

what can i say? if some1 would come up to me and ask me about one of the most talented artists in the world, id recommend to them Michelle Branch! i truly love her music... i wish the best for her new single!

Excellente Single, Lastima que no haya funcionado muy bien, pero de todos modos es un trabajo sorprendente.

I was surprised to see Michelle Branch release a Maxi single with club remixes on cos she doesn't seem to be the kind of artist who would usually do that but it's really cool that she tries new stuff and reaches out to other people than the segment of fans who already love her music. There's a little bit of something for everyone on this Maxi and here's a rundown on the different versions.

1. Album Version (03:31) - The original of this song which can be heard on the album "Hotel Paper" and in the video.

2. The Passengerz Tuff Club (08:01) - These guys give the song a deep club feel with a pounding beat and almost hypnotic vocal effects. The bassline is awesome and I can see this remix do well on the dancefloor in a nightclub.

3. Chris Cox Penetrating Club Mix (08:53) - This is perhaps the most popular remix of this song and also one of Chris' most successful remixes after he and Barry Harris went seperate ways after their success as the remix duo Thunderpuss. Chris stays true to the old TP sound in this remix while adding elements of rock into it at the same time and the result is truly brilliant! It fits the song perfectly and the breakdown is really gorgeous with a great following build-up. My favorite remix and it really is the stand-out track on this CD Maxi.

4. Sean Konnery Resportator Club Mix (06:56) - This remix is really weird. The beats remind me a bit of Club 69's remix of Madonna's "Nothing Really Matters" but I find the other elements of the remix kinda freaky. The chorus is okay though.

5. Dave Hernandez Club Mix (07:22) - This is house with a disco twist to it and a few pianos added in for good measure. The vocals are slightly offbeat in the first verse and they're placed really weird all throughout, totally different from the song's original structure. Still, this remix is much better than Sean Konnery's somewhat strange effort.

6. High Bias Radio Mix (03:35) - A nice dance remix that stays true to the original. The vocals seem re-sung for this remix and it's cool to hear Michelle actually singing on a dance track. The vocals are a bit stronger in the original, but still a great remix.

7. The Passengerz Tuff Radio (03:56) - A shorter version of the slamming club mix perfect for radio play.

8. Sean Konnery Resportator Radio Edit (04:11) - For me the club mix of this was more than enough so a second go at it kinda makes my ears bleed. Only good thing about it is that it's shorter.

This is a great single if you're a Michelle Branch fan cos in addition to a great song you get five remixers who each give it their own touch and the result is a wicked Maxi single that is truly worth having in your record collection.

Michelle Branch is not the remix type but i'm glad she is doing it.There is a remix from Chris Cox fromer Thunderpuss team and it just perfcet for any club!I hope that this is not the last remix we hear from Michelle Branch.Cause she would be a good dance diva!Take care everybody and like always God bless You!

Breathe - ****
Desperately - *****
Till I Get Over You - *****

Breathe is chipper and upbeat but not that great anymore. After you've heard it 20 times, it starts to truly wear thin.
Desperately has good lyrics, "Oh, why can't I ignore it/I'm keep giving in although I should know better/Cause there was something in the way that you looked at me/And it's strange that things change, but not me wanting you.../so Desperately...

Who can't relate to that?

Till I Get Over You is a decent ballad and holds its weight against most of the albums tracks. Don't buy the single, go for the gold!

Cover Art: ?
Vocals: C+
Songwriting: B-
Production: B-
Length: A-
Overall: B-

14/3 = 4.666666666667


4.67 stars.

"Breathe" is the second release from Michelle Branch's album "Hotel Paper". This track wonderfully combines pop and rock, offering audiences a new prospective on Branch. The lyrics and the music were written beautifully by her. Her every word is sung with true heart and soul, expressing her true feelings about the aftermath of breaking up with her boyfriend. This is one of many songs that prove that she's evolved greatly as an artist since she released "Everywhere" in 2001. Such quality gives assurance that she'll be around for a long time.

"Desperately" and "'Til I Get Over You" are great additions to this LP. These live versions besides those from the album version offer a new look at Michelle Branch as a performer. Like "Breathe", these two ballads were written deep from her heart. These versions prove that she is a real artist, not a manufactured artist.

The quality of these tracks makes the "Breathe" LP worthy of buying. Listeners will be highly enlightened. Those interested in a deeper look into her life and trials should also buy her album "Hotel Paper". It's addicting.

***Expect "Breathe" to receive a 2004 Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Performance. She deserves it.

A year ago, when I wrote my review of Michelle Branch's, debut album "Spirit Room", I gave that album four stars because her potential rather than her accomplishments on that album. The appearance of Michelle Branch on the music scene (as well as contemporaries Vanessa Carlton and Avril Lavigne) has proven to be a breath of fresh air on the radio waves. After being force-fed endless overproduced, under-talented performers like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera (good voice, but little else), and the innumerable boy bands, having someone truly talented, one who writes her own music and plays her own instruments, is refreshing. I believed in Branch's potential a year ago to give her a rating that her album didn't really deserve. Based on the first two singles I've heard off her sophomore effort, "Hotel Paper", Branch has rewarded that faith with a more musically and lyrically mature album. Branch has grown up more as a woman ... and as a singer (as witnessed by this album)

Branch's second single off "Hotel Paper" is called "Breathe" and it's a true gem. Branch continues to use the guitar as an extension of herself. It's amazing to realize that a girl who first picked at a guitar at age 14 has been so accomplished that the instrument is like a part of her. What is more striking is the maturity in her voice. While she still can achieve the loud notes prevalent on her earlier album, she also interjects subtlety into her singing. She can range from the loud soaring vocals to the soft, almost pouty ones popularized by Carlton and Jewel (without overdoing it). She also can strike a perfect balance between the two in each verse. The song also just plain sounds good. Hearing this on the radio can really perk up one's mood. The striking accomplishment of her first two singles speaks strongly of the potential of the rest of "Hotel Paper". I look forward to listening to it and reviewing it as well.

A year ago, when I wrote my review of Michelle Branch's, debut album "Spirit Room", I gave that album four stars because her potential rather than her accomplishments on that album. The appearance of Michelle Branch on the music scene (as well as contemporaries Vanessa Carlton and Avril Lavigne) has proven to be a breath of fresh air on the radio waves. After being force-fed endless overproduced, under-talented performers like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera (good voice, but little else), and the innumerable boy bands, having someone truly talented, one who writes her own music and plays her own instruments, is refreshing. I believed in Branch's potential a year ago to give her a rating that her album didn't really deserve. Based on the first two singles I've heard off her sophomore effort, "Hotel Paper", Branch has rewarded that faith with a more musically and lyrically mature album. Branch has grown up more as a woman (see her scorching pictorial in Maxim for proof of that... undeniably sexy without being trashy) and as a singer (as witnessed by this album)

Branch's second single off "Hotel Paper" is called "Breathe" and it's a true gem. Branch continues to use the guitar as an extension of herself. It's amazing to realize that a girl who first picked at a guitar at age 14 has been so accomplished that the instrument is like a part of her. What is more striking is the maturity in her voice. While she still can achieve the loud notes prevalent on her earlier album, she also interjects subtlety into her singing. She can range from the loud soaring vocals to the soft, almost pouty ones popularized by Carlton and Jewel (without overdoing it). She also can strike a perfect balance between the two in each verse. The song also just plain sounds good. Hearing this on the radio can really perk up one's mood. The striking accomplishment of her first two singles speaks strongly of the potential of the rest of "Hotel Paper". I look forward to listening to it and reviewing it as well.

michelle branch has definetally improved as a songwriter and singer. her first cd, the spirit room, is completely one of the best cds out there-but she's not gotten even better. her second single, breathe, easily shows that.

1 - BREATHE - breathe is my favorite song by michelle and close to one of my fav songs ever. this song has beautiful lyrics and some of the best acoustic guitar playing ever! ^_^ Even though it has a little more of a pop-ish kind of flare to it, I still love it. I think almost anyone would love this song, no matter what kind of music they listen to. - 10/10

2 - TIL I GET OVER YOU (live) - again...til I get over you is one of my fav songs my meech, too! it's one of the best break-up songs ever...and she sings a little bit of french in it! she even sings beautifully in another language! (hehe...) ^^ Even thought this track is live, you don't have to worry about meech sounding a little weird...she, as always, sounds awesome! - 9.9/10

3 - DESPERATELY (live) - desperately wasn't really one of my favorite songs, but grows on you quickly. this song is mostly acoustic guitar...wonderfully played. the lyrics are also about her and a boy being separated and having a...bad relationship, but still wanting to be with him. Even though not one of my favs, desperately is completely a must-have! - 9.5/10

I hope my review has been helpful. If you don't own michelle branch's The Spirit Room, or Hotel Paper, please go out and buy them! :) I promise you they are worth all the money!!

There is no title. I thought it was appropriate.

Anyway, this song is it. It was it then ('03). I was even obsessed with the darker video, and the anger and all of the yellow surroundings, aglow.

Cover Art: A-
Vocals: C
Songwriting: B-
Production: B
Length: A-
Overall: B

4.25 stars.

So Michelle Branch is trying to be hateful in this song? Well, I don't buy it. She obviously isn't hateful, so why is she even trying? Can you say "poser"? Anyway, in this song, she rips off Linkin Park's song "One Step Closer" (listen near the end where she says, "I'm about to break"). Linkin Park rip-off, I see. She even ripped off No Doubt's similarly titled song "Happy Now?" (see title and first line in chorus, except in the title, she adds "Are you" to make it her own). I'd rather listen to Linkin Park's and No Doubt's originals instead of this blatant rip-off.

Michelle Branch is one of the most Best Singers in the World.She has a Great voice not to mention very pretty and I like her.

Given that Michelle Branch was only 15 years old when she started writing the songs for her smash debut album "Spirit Room", it should come as little surprise that most of the songs on that album we of a softer and friendlier design. They were soft enough for some of the more cynical critics to dismiss her as nothing more than another puffy, fluffy, teen, bubble-gum pop star. However, if you looked closer at the songs like "All You Wanted" and "Goodbye to You", you could see small glimmers of potential for edgier, more emotional music.

"Are You Happy Now?", Branch's first single off her sophomore album, "Hotel Paper", delivers on that promise. "Are You Happy Now?" seems to be dealing with the wreckage of a broken relationship and carries the powerful emotions that go with it. The music, itself, has a more haunting sound to it while Michelle's powerful vocals (her strongest vocal performance to date) convey the raw emotion of hurt, bitterness, and anger. It will be intriguing to see what other emotional journeys the rest of "Hotel Paper" contains. "Are You Happy Now?" is as good an indication as any that Michelle Branch has the musical talent and emotional reservoir to be a prettier, and slightly less bitter, Alanis Morrisette. "Are You Happy Now?" Well, you should be with this song.

1.Are You Happy Now - Really shows off Michelle ability to write more then just pop songs. This song seems so much mroe mature then any of the songs on The Spirit Room, I definatly suggest you to buy this single if you like main stream music that has flare!

2. Wanting Out - This song is only avaible on this single. It really seems that although Michelle can write an awesome rock song, she still will write a nice pop song. But although it is pop, it doesn seem much better then the pop on The Spirit Room.

3. Hotal Paper (Live) - Not only do I love the studio version of this song, but this live version rocks. It's from her Sessions@AOL preformance, and it really shows off her vocals ability. Not to mention it's really awesome because it's just her and her guitar! Go Michelle!

...and purchasing the initial sophomore album, Hotel Paper ('03) would be much cheaper in the end than buying this actual album. If you must buy it though, then go ahead. I won't stop or blame you. Cause it's hella solid! ^_^

Intro - ***
Are You Happy Now (initial single) - *****
Find Your Way Back - *****
Tuesday Morning - ****
Empty Handed - *****
One Of These Days - ****
Love Me Like That - ****
Desperately - *****
Breathe (second single. faired better than the initial) - ****
Where are You Now - *****
Hotel Paper - *****
Till I Get Over You - ****** (best. michelle. ballad (song!) ever!)
Everywhere - ****
Game Of Love - *****
It's You - *****

Cover Art: B+
Other Art: A-
Songwriting: B-
Production: A-
Length: A+
Overall: A

69/15 = 4.6

4.6 stars.

...and ultimately better than its predecessor, thanks heavily to the extra tracks. The Japanese import version of Michelle Branch's sophomore disc, 'Hotel Paper,' cherry picks two previous works by Branch, both of which were radio hits. These extra little goodies do the disc a world of good, making up for its original shortcomings, and making it easily a more worthwhile buy than its bizarrely higher-priced original version. I have to admit, the tracks that flowed right into in the mainstream upon their release are really all I find myself listening to-I rarely venture beyond what we've heard on the radio. And when I do, I am oftentimes not impressed. Regardless, the hits make for hours of enjoyment-Michelle has a knack for irresistibly catchy pop hooks, and yet manages to sidestep the gaping hole of embarrassing lyrics that so many pop diddies manage to stumble into. She perfectly captures the honesty and awkwardness of our modern-day teenager in her lyrics-combine that with her infectious hooks and you've got yourself some music as delicious and satisfying as Swiss chocolate. The almost-angry "Are You Happy Now?" is the album's first standout. "Would you look me in the eye and tell me that you're happy now?," Branch sneers in the hooky chorus. After the next six tracks fumble by, we hear the buoyant "Breathe," another standout, and the album's second single. Its modest perkiness and beckoning chorus can easily cheer up even the saddest of listeners. "Everywhere," the first single from Michelle's debut, might be the hookiest song Branch has ever done-it's downright addictive. Then there's the laid back, catchy contemporary track, Santana's "The Game Of Love." This is also a very good song, and though it is sweet and upbeat, Jake Barnes slavishly labeling it as a 'sugary pop single' was rather extreme in my opinion. "It's You" might be the one of the best non-hit here-its beautifully mellow beginning doesn't exactly hurt the ears, but it can't compete with the radio smashes. Filler aside, this stands very strong as a hit-packed pop album done by an artist who has a whole lot of talent and a bright-looking future in the music world.

While I was in Japan this summer, I decided to get the new Michelle Branch Cd. I was very happy with this follow up to 'The Spirit Room'. Branch has compelling lyrics and music that draws out your emotions. Not only does this CD offer the tracks that were found on the American Relese, but also 'Everywhere' and 'The Game of Love'. If you have yet to buy your copy of 'Hotel Paper", buy the import-- believe me, you'll be happy!

The Unplugged versions of AYW and GTY are incredible! I recently bought this and am very glad that i did.

The enhanced CD has a movie player built in that lets you watch the "Everywhere" video.

Definitly worth getting!

I really liked the nice unplugged versions of All You Wanted and Goodbye To You. Michelle does a great acoustic performance. How is this version of the Everywhere CD single any different than the other one with the code B00005RYCD?

first i would like to say that people like Mr. Eric Smith be shot for saying that crap about Michelle Branch and her music.
The current pop princesses like Britney Spears who mostly have a sex, dance based theme and who have other people write there own music. Quoting Evanescence from "Everybody's Fool" the princesses think they are"Perfect by nature, icons of self-indulgience" meaning that perfect is what they look like. Michelle doesn't act at all like that, also Michelle writes her own music, then plays them and has more of a relationship theme going on in 'The Spirit Room' which everyone of use can relate to in some way. If you think about it, like Michelle says "and all you wanted is somebody who cares" is what all of use want, someone who cares about us and someone that we can relate too. [...]

Below, this song is criticized for its simple, unintellectual nature. I consider myself to be an intellectual, and I am displeased by many recent artists whose work seems to contain little or no substance. However, I do not consider Michelle Branch to be in this category, specifically in the case of this song. "All You Wanted" has an emotional depth to it that the works of other artists appear to lack. As opposed to the works of many other artists, where so-called love songs often degenerate to little more than displays of lust, the speaker in this song has come to know the object of her affection well enough to see his loneliness and insecurity. However, in spite of these problems, the speaker still loves this person, perhaps even more so because of them. The depths of true affection seem to shine through her words. I consider this song to be among the best from today's artists. Five stars.

Unlike some people, I think Michelle is brillent. She was the first of the young, more main stream singer/songwriters. She was before Avril or Vanessa, and never gets the credit she deserves. AYW may not be the most profound thing I've ever heard, but you have to realized she was 17 when The Spirit Room came out and was probably only 16 1/2 when she wrote AYW, so give her a chance and if you didn't like her older stuff, definatly check out her new CD Hotel Paper, it's much more mature, and has songs that are even better then AYW.

The cd "All you wanted" is played on almost all of the radio stations that i listen to. It is one of the more appropriate cd's that i recognize as a good cd. This cd is a good one especially for teen girls. I would not miss out on this one!

This is a great cd. I loved it and got what i expected. The shipping and time it took were great! This is a wonderful cd and i know that i will enjoy it for years to come thanks to amazon.com.