Rebecca Hart: Crash & Strum

Rebecca Hart
Crash & Strum
Big Fire
2006-09-12

Not exactly the coffeehouse folk of some female singer-songwriters, Rebecca Hart has some funky styles to showcase on the opening “The Vibe”, which brings to mind a cross between Michelle Shocked and Tracy Chapman. It’s a rootsy pop feel that is quite decent, but some songs are too formulaic or blah, especially the lighter, mid-tempo adult contemporary ditty “Dawn”. What is promising, though, is the slower, somewhat soulful “Planets” that opens with talking about cars being named after planets. Hart likes her folksy moody pop, particularly on the sparse, murky title track, which evolves into a big, rousing, Etheridge-lite rocker. And it’s this little kickstart that makes the ensuing “Wishing Hour” gel much quicker. The sleeper pick has to be the mellow “Last Dance”, which sounds like a cross between Jewel and k.d. lang. Another little nugget is the soft and dub-flavored “Out of Me” that brings to mind Natalie Merchant. The record ends with another uplifting pop rock number entitled “Big Fire” that has a lot of fire in its belly.

RATING 6 / 10