CD Review: Sophie B. Hawkins: "Wilderness"

CD Review:
Sophie B. Hawkins: "Wilderness"
Trumpet Swan Records

Volume 4, Issue 8, March 2005

Joseph O. Patton
Editor and Publisher
Capital City Free Press

Returning to our beleaguered ears, thankfully, is perhaps the most independent-minded and daring musical artist of our time. Sophie B. Hawkins, best known for the hits "Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover," "As I Lay Me" and "Lose Your Way," has unveiled her latest opus, the 14-track "Wilderness," which is straight up Sophie, blending poetic lyrics and a complex variously-influenced pop sound, both of which are heightened by her ever-so-clever experimentations with a variety of sounds and sultry pipes.
"Wilderness," which follows "Tongues and Tails" (1992), "Whaler" (1994), "Timbre" (1999) and the "Best of..." release (2003), marks another grand step in the evolution of Hawkins' songwriting and exploration of music. Truly, it is a positive, sincere and creative progression.
Led by the ultra catchy single "Beautiful Girl," Hawkins' warm and distinct voice is only matched by her potent songwriting throughout the album. Transcending mere 'adult contemporary' status, in which she is often wrongfully categorized, Hawkins brings a highbrow playfulness to many of her songs, including the buoyantly melodic "Meet Me on a Rooftop." She offers poignant messages of devotion and romance with the heartfelt "Walking on Thin Ice" among others.
The experimental sounds and vocal magic on "Blue" are classic Hawkins, underscoring her ability to be both easily digested by the ears while also taking bold risks with her sound. "You Make Me High" offers up a moody kind of class that nearly drives one to drooling.
And what Sophie B. Hawkins CD would be complete without artful touches of controversy and stark moments of introspection? From the jazzy, blues infused track "Sweet, Sexy Woman": "I could worship you / And I do / Nobody knows how true I stay / Even when I pray I'm making love to you"

If I have to begrudgingly offer any complaint concerning "Wilderness" it is that my girl didn't whip out her banjo. This actually segues into another badge of honor for Hawkins... she plays damn near everything that makes noise, laying tracks on drums, guitars, piano and percussion on this CD. And we thought no performing artist left under the sun could still play instruments in addition to romancing a microphone.
"Wilderness" also includes a smoking re-mix of the song "Soul Lover" and the full video of the single "Beautiful Girl." For more information, including song samples, tour dates, photographs, a store and audio messages from Hawkins, log on to SophieBHawkins.com.

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