Album: On a Clear Night

Label: Reprise Records

Release Date: October 7, 2008

Reviewed By: Jenny Sung (Toronto Correspondent)

“Missy Higgins…?  What do you know about rap music?” asked my culturally mis-informed sibling when I told her about the album I was reviewing (she was referring to Missy Elliot, but we’ll let that slide).

Despite the slightly stripper-esque name (no offense), Missy Higgins’ music is poignant, tasteful, and rather genuine; I’m reminded of Sarah McLachlan or Maria Mena.  Higgins describes On a Clear Night as a sort of diary she has kept ever since entering the public spotlight as a young teen and the journey of growing up in it.  It makes sense – Night’s strongest suit is definitely its lyrics.  But that’s not to say that she’s not a talented musician either; as a singer/songwriter, Higgins is featured playing guitar and piano in the album, and her voice is distinctively effortless but powerful when she sings.  The slightly husky quality to her voice is soothing, even in her up-tempo songs.

But you wouldn’t know from the success of the first single off of this record, “Where I Stood” (which you’ve probably heard on a plethora of American hit TV shows), that Night features quite a strong contingent of feisty, energetic songs.  “Peachy” and “The Wrong Girl” stand out for their “eff off” quality about them – defiant lyrics, sung with an equally defiant melody.  However, as a strong proponent of a good ol’ piano ballad, my favourites are the lovely “Warm Whispers”, “Where I Stood”, rounded out by the bare-bones, one-take album closer, “Forgive Me”.  The song takes on the perspective of a man begging for forgiveness from his family for his past unidentified sins, and the fact that it’s written and performed by Higgins does not take away or confuse the piece, but adds a dimension that enriches the story told by the lyrics.

And quite the storyteller she is.  As a collective, Night seems to be a diary of love, heartache, and coming of age.  You can’t help but feel a pang of yearning and regret in the chorus of “Where I Stood”, or feel the frustrations that come with a fair-weather lover in “100 Round the Bends”.  I’ve never met Missy, nor have I spoken to her, but I feel like I know her secrets after a few listens of the album.

Not only does Higgins have a list of accolades to her name as an artist (mostly in her native country of Australia), she is also the real deal.  I first discovered her music as she made her late-night American talk show rounds, and in one particular episode, she performed her single without her band: just Missy and her piano.  Breaking into the American market is not an easy feat, but all the TV hosts seemed genuinely impressed by her talent, and so was I – her live performance rivals her recordings.

If there’s anything that is truly unique about Higgins and her music is her accent.  It’s not evidently “Australian” when she’s singing, but (not to get too technical) her pronunciation of certain vowels can only be placed with her voice, and that’s what I think will distinguish her from the abundance of guitar-toting piano-pounding female singer/songwriters trying to break into the market at the moment.  But it really is her music that is effective in capturing the listener’s attention – Night features interesting arrangements and instrumental inspirations that keeps the album fresh track after track.

On a Clear Night is a perfect listen for the lovesick, the homesick, or even for the perfectly healthy.  Expect to hear much more of Higgins…hopefully soon, no one will be confusing her for a rap star.

For more, visit:

www.missyhiggins.com

www.myspace.com/missyhiggins

Track listing:

1. Where I Stood
2. 100 Round The Bends
3. Steer
4. Sugarcane
5. Secret
6. Warm Whispers
7. The Wrong Girl
8. Angela
9. Peachy
10. Going North
11. Forgive Me