Amy Roberts-It Is

Amy Roberts says It Is what it is on her new album. I mean that in a factual sense, as her lyrics are straightforward and get right down to business very quickly. Roberts has a sweet disposition and it comes through nicely in every track. Even though the subject matter can be rather serious and heartrending this lady knows how to wrap her pipes around the story and steal you away for the duration of the song. For this listener's ears that is the litmus test, if you pass that, you have me hooked. I would have to say that the entire recording kept me interested, and enough to spin it a few more times after the first time around. Again, for the way I judge all recordings various aspects, I need to hear it more than once, and I really have to enjoy it to make that effort.

This music is pop rock with more of a lean towards the pop sensibilities of life when you look at the recording as a whole effort. The production is good and the musicianship falls right in line with that. Amy is not only a fine vocalist that delivers a song with heart and emotion; she also plays various configurations of the keyboards among other additional instruments exceptionally well. This is a good indicator of an artist totally involved in every aspect of a recording from top to bottom; it most definitely shows when everything comes together.

This album is long time coming for a hard working mother and wife that happens to have many other talents besides the necessary domestic tools to survive. The energy necessary for the job of being a mom alone can be overwhelming then when you add the additional responsibilities of an entirely different life to the mix, and one that is on the other side of the tracks entirely, surely, it is a challenge to make it happen and become successful. What I see with this particular artist is all the energy, patience, talent, and down right grit and determination to reach for the stars. It is of my humble opinion after hearing It Is several times that those twinkling lights in the sky are well within reach for Amy Roberts.

© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

January 15, 2007

Tracks:
1. Butterfly (4:14)
2. How Sweet (3:41)
3. Without U (4:17)
4. Shelf (3:58)
5. Midnight (3:55)
6. Come Back (3:49)
7. It Is (4:27)
8. Subtle (6:25)
9. Swan Song (2:19)

Musicians:

Amy Roberts - Vocals, Piano, Rhodes
Dan Marfisi - All other instrumentation with the exception of *
* Nova Jones - Acoustic Guitar on Shelf
* Brian McKenzie - Bass on Sublte and Come Back
* Cameron Stone - Bass and Cello on Shelf