NW Reviews: Rachael Cantu – Far and Wide

After a day or so, the lovely Rachael Cantu ended up sending me a copy of her album for reviewing! What a sweetheart. So thanks to her for that.

On to business: how does someone like Rachael not get picked up by some label yet? Her touring history consists of some legends (BB King just this past October) as well as some more big name indie acts (e.g. Tegan & Sara). Her music is right in the mix of the evolving singer-songwriter scene. It seems that her persistence is paying off as she makes new strides with her newest album Far and Wide.

This new album unleashes a sweet blend between that broken down acoustic-y bedroom sound and that full band acoustic rock vibe. Maybe some comparisons would be drawn as the female version of someone like Kevin Devine or Bon Iver. Rachael’s album is on par with Kevin Devine’s release of Put Your Ghost to Rest blending together many similar elements. The element that varies the most is the amount of more indie-pop in Rachael’s latest album and the amount of more folky-punk on Kevin’s PYGTR… but this isn’t a comparison of what is what. This is a review!

The album starts off with the familiar tune “Devil’s Thunder”, previously heard on Rachael’s EP release earlier this year. The song itself was used on ABC’s show Private Practice, but sadly didn’t turn up field into a radio smash. The tune itself sets the stage for something along the lines of a darker album, something maybe more menacing or wreckoning. However, by track two, the album itself changes directions back to the more feel-good hits of the winter. The entire album is very consistent, never entering a perilous two-faced nature that some of these singer-songwriters tend to attract. Some strong tracks off the album are “Thieves and their Hands”, “Blue House Baby”, and “Make a Name for Me and You”.

Rachael Cantu – Theives and their Hands

Rachael Cantu – Devil’s Thunder

This album is the female answer to a scene filled with so many male artists. It seems that the only way girls can make it in this scene are if they are supported by a band some how. You have all heard about Paramore, Metric, and Rilo Kiley, but what about artists like Joanna Newsom and Rachael Cantu? Where is their piece of the scene pie? Also, This album is very clean and crisp in production quality, unlike Real Estate’s car crash of a post-production mix. Also, Rachael doesn’t shy away from her strengths. The strong stance of guitar and vocals in each song defines what Rachael Cantu is all about.

After “Devil’s Thunder” I was amped to hear the rest of the album in the same vein as this kind of slow, dark theme. Rather, the album flips to some more pop type song structures and leaves the sort of post-rock (post-acoustic I guess?) set up that “Devil’s Thunder” ran with. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, since the album itself does stay true to the acoustic-indie-pop identity, but I felt set up for something along the lines of For Emma, Forever Ago.

But. Where does this rank between albums like David Bazan’s, Owen’s, and Kevin Devine’s? Lyrically, probably more punch than Kevin’s Brother’s Blood. With that, it’s worthy enough to be considered… but topping Bazan? We’ll see.