Gretchen Peters--Hello Cruel World

We all listen to music in different ways.  As a guitar player I listen to the melody, the chords and other musical intonations where as others start with the words.  Lyrics have never been a big thing for me, I often laugh at some of the ridiculous lyrics that accompany the best tunes ever.  Every so often, I hear something and instead of the music bowling me over the words get inside me and start their own dance. Gretchen Peters--Hello Cruel World is just such an album and already on the list of best albums of this year (2012).

I have thought long and hard about how to write about this album. I thought about describing the textures that the lyrics provide which juxtapose the excellent melodies. I thought about describing the urgency and nature of the 'from the gut' lyrics. I thought about describing Gretchen Peter's voice that at times seems almost surreal.... I could go on about all manner of things that elevate this record from the banal to the superb but nothing I can think of would do this record justice.

So in sum, LISTEN TO THIS RECORD!  Ideally through good headphones, without children nearby, in a quiet room, with a glass of wine in one hand... You will not regret it.
12/10!

Update in 2014 two years on an this is still on the iPod and it is an album you do not tire of.