Angela Predhomme - Don't Wonder

Angela Predhomme - Don't Wonder
2011, Angela Predhomme

Before getting into the music itself one must consider the voice of Detroit’s own Angela Predhomme.  Unadorned and simple in its beauty and grace, Predhomme’s voice is built on the purity of tone of classical training, the clear, clean sound of pure pop music and hints of a country twang.  Predhomme retains the girl-next-door mystique even as her songwriting grows in depth and sophistication on her second album, Don’t Wonder.  Predhomme’s self-titled debut (2008) showed flashes of what listeners will hear here, but Predhomme has definitely taken up the challenge; the growth is exponential.

Don’t Wonder opens with "I Claim You", with Predhomme infusing honest, heartfelt lyrics with a sense of fullness and warmth that is not often heard in popular music.  "At Your Own Risk" features a straightforward pop arrangement colored by country guitar stylings.   The chorus is catchy to the nines, and Predhomme writes from a well of real emotion.  The result is a pop song with real commercial potential, even if the chorus ends in a semi-awkward lyrical aberration that shatters the rhyme scheme of the song. 

"My New Favorite Song" is a classic pop love song that could be a hit in any of the six decades preceding its release.  This is an example of near-perfect songwriting, capturing the moment of falling in love in words and music.  The chorus is so universal you'll be singing along before it’s even finished the first time.  "At The End Of The 13th Week" explores heartbreak and the complexity of recovery in a nuanced story set over a wonderfully simple arrangement.  Predhomme's voice is never better than right here.  "I'm Wearing Black" is a bluesy, down tempo number that's seductive and sweet.  Predhomme goes for a lush, sensual sound here that's full of warmth. 

"You Matter To Me" is a sweet ballad that borders on cliché but is heartfelt.  It's a solid album track may play better live than in the studio.  "Redeemed" is a personal manifesto for picking up the pieces and moving on.  This could be an anthem for the broken hearted; inspiring in its lack of affectation.  Predhomme might just have a hit on her hands with aptly named "This Might Be Good".  It's a catchy, low-key love song with serious mix-tape potential.  The songwriting and performance are brilliant; the only thing missing is airplay.  Predhomme has a Leslie Gore moment on "What Your Words Don't Say", a classic-style love ballad about the ways we show how we feel.  "Don't Wonder" is another mix-tape destined number that also has potential as a first dance number.  Don't be surprised if this simple song of love and commitment winds up on a movie soundtrack one of these days. 

Predhomme digs down for "Deeply", a beautiful song of hidden love and longing.  Predhomme captures a gorgeous 'Wow' moment in song; capturing the tragedy and beauty of ambivalence in a moving number that will haunt you.  Don't Wonder takes a bow with "The Silence Of Winter", an instrumental featuring Predhomme on piano, accompanied by cello and guitar.  The effect is intriguing, maintaining a hint of pop sensibility while attaining a sound that approaches the realm of modern baroque.  

Angela Predhomme takes a giant leap forward on Don't Wonder, melding musicianship and art to break down barriers she perhaps didn't even know were there.  The depth of honesty in both Predhomme's lyrics and composition are striking, evoking both an emotional and aesthetic beauty that were hinted at on her previous album, but never fully realized.  This is what it sounds like when a talented musician finally lets go and gives in to their muse, while making the conscious choice to speak freely in their own voice.  "Don't Wonder" wears the shine of brilliance at times, and should find its way onto a number of "best of" lists for 2011.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Angela Predhomme at www.angelapredhomme.com or www.myspace.com/angelapredhomme.  Don't Wonder is available digitally from Amazon.com and iTunes.  If you want an old school CD, you can order one directly from Predhomme's webstore.

Review: Angela Predhomme - Angela Predhomme

Angela Predhomme - Angela Predhomme
2008, Angela Predhomme

Angela Predhomme isn’t your usual singer-songwriter on the rise. Predhomme has been in love with music all her life, but got a later start on writing and performing than many artists. The Detroit native has been a regular on Mackinac Island for the past three years, where the movie Somewhere In Time was shot. Her producer, Scott Christopher, is her old guitar teacher. Reading through her bio you get the impression not so much of a pop star but of, perhaps the girl next door. One listen to her debut CD, Angela Predhomme, and you’ll know that impression is the right one.

Angela Predhomme opens with Passing The Days, a sweet, bluesy country tune. Predhomme is in fine vocal form here, with tremendous tone and color in a voice that is at once surprising and comforting. Everything Is Alright is a memorable tune that you'll carry with you long after the CD stops spinning. Georgia is a bit of a change-up from Predhomme. A great story song, but Angela Predhomme is just a bit too sweet here to pull it off entirely. This song requires just a bit more grit than Predhomme projects, but is still a strong recording.

Too Much Time is a song of self-reliance than is both endearing and powerful. This may be the most well-written and performed song on the album. Just Like Magic has a vaguely wanton quality to it that is surprising. Predhomme shows a darker side that you might not suspect. She's back to her sweet, introspective self on If I Could Love Like My Dog, a song that's so pure it's almost kitschy. Other highlights include Transparent Eyes, Nemesis and Little Girl. Little Girl is a special song with a very positive message. It's carried by a strong melody and leaves you better at the end of Angela Predhomme than when you started out.

Angela Predhomme has real talent for writing and performing songs. She comes across as sweet and innocent and real, kind of like the classic girl next door. She surprises with mild shadows and light at times, but never truly crosses over into the darker side of human nature with the songs on her self-titled debut. She's the sort of recording artist you'd be proud to have your teenage daughter (or son) listening to as a role model. Currently residing in an almost adult-contemporary style, Predhomme shows flashes of real pop sensibility on her debut. As she develops this sense, you may find her songwriting open up and display more layers of her self and her sense of the world, but this is a great start.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Angela Predhomme at www.myspace.com/angelapredhomme or http://www.angelapredhomme.com/. You can pick up a copy of Angela Predhomme at www.cdbaby.com/apredhomme.