So I've been aware of Liv for some time now. And I've heard her sing more than a few times. I know she's a voice, I know she's a talent, I know she's got a great look, but is she strong enough to front an album or a live touring band? Without making you wait too long, I'll just say now... Um, hell yes!
The album features two Prince tracks, so that's another reason to own it. But let's get to the breakdown and discuss the music.
'Coat Of Arms' is an introduction segue of sorts. There's a voice welcoming you to the world of Liv Warfield. I actually find that bit a little corny. Then you get a short horn arrangement. All of this seems to stem from Liv's time with the New Power Generation and her access to a diverse group of musicians. 'The Unexpected' is the first full length track. This is an interesting song for a number of reasons. First, it's written by Prince. Second, he released his version of it on his most recent album. Third, it has two titles. It's 'The Unexpected' on Liv's album, but on Prince's it's called 'Wow!'. That all makes sense when you listen to the chorus. There's a lyric that states, "U can call it the unexpected or u can call it - wow!" So I guess you can take your pick. Prince's version is more rock oriented while Liv's features a fuller band feeling. Of the two, I prefer Prince's, but I love Liv's as well. The song just kicks your butt from start to finish.
It's followed by 'Why Do You Lie?'. Like 'The Unexpected', there's a full band sound to this track. I'm fairly certain this is the first single off the album. It's pretty good and full of energy. But it's 'Blackbird' that really punches you. Liv composes intensely powerful music. She's aggressive and forceful in her writing style. The guitar work on this track is outstanding and punctuated with horns. Once again, that band sound reverberates when you play the track.
'Stay - "Soul Lifted"' comes in easy and starts off sounding almost spiritual before transitioning into a story of longing and suffering. 'Catch Me If You Can' reminds me of something you'd expect to hear from Rufus & Chaka Khan back in the day. It's got a go-go beat and this wonderful rhythm urging you to get up and groove. But it's a much more complicated and segmented tune than Rufus would compose. It progresses through a series of short movements that slow or speed the tempo according to what Liv is expressing vocally. It's another great effort. Easily one of my favorite tracks on the disc.
'Don't Say Much' is an amazing ballad in the vein of Barbra Streisand's 'Somewhere'. Where Streisand was looking for a place to belong to her lover, Warfield is looking for an emotional connection to hers through physical contact. It's very powerful. The build is natural and fierce.
Then the album downshifts and you fall into the groove of 'Lena Blue'. Everything on this track is working. From the beat, to the instrumentation. The lyrics are interesting. I keep hearing similar concepts though. It's like an alter ego Liv has developed. A character she can assume. I remember hearing Beyonce talking about something similar at one point. I'm not sure I fully understand what's happening here, but I like the vocal arrangement and I dig the music. Next up is 'Freedom' and it begins with a drum rolling into a slow piano/horn line. Liv's vocals are sorrowful and you can hear the desperation in her voice. There's a lot of complex change-ups happening musically. It's reminiscent of certain tricks Prince pulls in some of his compositions. There's scales, sudden changes and some free form improvisation happening. This is a beautiful number. And speaks to the heart of anyone who's ever felt trapped. For any reason.
'Come Back' delves into 70's R&B sounds for a nice slow ballad. It's followed by the second Prince composition, 'Your Show'. He shares songwriting credit with Warfield. Musically, it maintains the pace set by 'Come Back'. There's an old school groove to this one too. Warfield's vocals are seductive and the horns accentuate the tune quite nicely all throughout. It almost sounds like a disco track without the beat. This is without a doubt a very sensual number.
'Fanfare' could be considered the album closer and it follows the theme of the opener. It's a segue of horn scales. 'Fly' is listed as a bonus track; which would therefore indicate 'Fanfare' is the true album closer. 'Fly' continues the band sound with the 70's sound. But it's a great tune and it's got an nice flow.
There are so many great ideas on this record... Sometimes, with Prince, it's a hit or miss. He surrounds himself with two types of people. Those that are truly and incredibly talented or those who he's interested in for other reasons who aren't talented at all. Liv is one who delivers the goods. She's got a unique and interesting look, she's got the voice and she's a talented song writer. If she plays anywhere near me, I'm going.
My final words: AN UNEXPECTED BUT AMAZING RECORD FROM A VITAL NEW ARTIST!
LIV WARFIELD - THE UNEXPECTED
01. Coat Of Arms
02. The Unexpected
03. Why Do You Lie?
04. Blackbird
05. Stay - "Soul Lifted"
06. Catch Me If You Can
07. Don't Say Much
08. Lena Blue
09. Freedom
10. Come Back
11. Your Show
12. Fanfare
13. Fly
The album features two Prince tracks, so that's another reason to own it. But let's get to the breakdown and discuss the music.
'Coat Of Arms' is an introduction segue of sorts. There's a voice welcoming you to the world of Liv Warfield. I actually find that bit a little corny. Then you get a short horn arrangement. All of this seems to stem from Liv's time with the New Power Generation and her access to a diverse group of musicians. 'The Unexpected' is the first full length track. This is an interesting song for a number of reasons. First, it's written by Prince. Second, he released his version of it on his most recent album. Third, it has two titles. It's 'The Unexpected' on Liv's album, but on Prince's it's called 'Wow!'. That all makes sense when you listen to the chorus. There's a lyric that states, "U can call it the unexpected or u can call it - wow!" So I guess you can take your pick. Prince's version is more rock oriented while Liv's features a fuller band feeling. Of the two, I prefer Prince's, but I love Liv's as well. The song just kicks your butt from start to finish.
It's followed by 'Why Do You Lie?'. Like 'The Unexpected', there's a full band sound to this track. I'm fairly certain this is the first single off the album. It's pretty good and full of energy. But it's 'Blackbird' that really punches you. Liv composes intensely powerful music. She's aggressive and forceful in her writing style. The guitar work on this track is outstanding and punctuated with horns. Once again, that band sound reverberates when you play the track.
'Stay - "Soul Lifted"' comes in easy and starts off sounding almost spiritual before transitioning into a story of longing and suffering. 'Catch Me If You Can' reminds me of something you'd expect to hear from Rufus & Chaka Khan back in the day. It's got a go-go beat and this wonderful rhythm urging you to get up and groove. But it's a much more complicated and segmented tune than Rufus would compose. It progresses through a series of short movements that slow or speed the tempo according to what Liv is expressing vocally. It's another great effort. Easily one of my favorite tracks on the disc.
'Don't Say Much' is an amazing ballad in the vein of Barbra Streisand's 'Somewhere'. Where Streisand was looking for a place to belong to her lover, Warfield is looking for an emotional connection to hers through physical contact. It's very powerful. The build is natural and fierce.
Then the album downshifts and you fall into the groove of 'Lena Blue'. Everything on this track is working. From the beat, to the instrumentation. The lyrics are interesting. I keep hearing similar concepts though. It's like an alter ego Liv has developed. A character she can assume. I remember hearing Beyonce talking about something similar at one point. I'm not sure I fully understand what's happening here, but I like the vocal arrangement and I dig the music. Next up is 'Freedom' and it begins with a drum rolling into a slow piano/horn line. Liv's vocals are sorrowful and you can hear the desperation in her voice. There's a lot of complex change-ups happening musically. It's reminiscent of certain tricks Prince pulls in some of his compositions. There's scales, sudden changes and some free form improvisation happening. This is a beautiful number. And speaks to the heart of anyone who's ever felt trapped. For any reason.
'Come Back' delves into 70's R&B sounds for a nice slow ballad. It's followed by the second Prince composition, 'Your Show'. He shares songwriting credit with Warfield. Musically, it maintains the pace set by 'Come Back'. There's an old school groove to this one too. Warfield's vocals are seductive and the horns accentuate the tune quite nicely all throughout. It almost sounds like a disco track without the beat. This is without a doubt a very sensual number.
'Fanfare' could be considered the album closer and it follows the theme of the opener. It's a segue of horn scales. 'Fly' is listed as a bonus track; which would therefore indicate 'Fanfare' is the true album closer. 'Fly' continues the band sound with the 70's sound. But it's a great tune and it's got an nice flow.
There are so many great ideas on this record... Sometimes, with Prince, it's a hit or miss. He surrounds himself with two types of people. Those that are truly and incredibly talented or those who he's interested in for other reasons who aren't talented at all. Liv is one who delivers the goods. She's got a unique and interesting look, she's got the voice and she's a talented song writer. If she plays anywhere near me, I'm going.
My final words: AN UNEXPECTED BUT AMAZING RECORD FROM A VITAL NEW ARTIST!
LIV WARFIELD - THE UNEXPECTED
01. Coat Of Arms
02. The Unexpected
03. Why Do You Lie?
04. Blackbird
05. Stay - "Soul Lifted"
06. Catch Me If You Can
07. Don't Say Much
08. Lena Blue
09. Freedom
10. Come Back
11. Your Show
12. Fanfare
13. Fly
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