Branden Sipes

Album: That Side of Me
Artist: Branden Sipes
Date: 17 May 2011
Reviewed by: Kyle C.Stilley
Music Without Labels, Beat-Play, LLC
http://www.musicwithoutlabels.com


There is something about Branden Sipes’ music that is purely authentic and that genuineness cogently manifests in his latest released album, That Side of Me. The talented, Colorado troubadour engages his listeners with a refined, baroque guitar style, accompanied by his soft, affectionate vocals. Quite interestingly, That Side of Me takes us on an acoustic journey, encountering the usual suspects of love and life while challenging us to confront said topics in respect to our own life experiences.

The journey begins brightly upbeat in the form of “Everything’s Right,” an inspiring track that sets the tone for the album while introducing to the audience Sipes’ delicate, yet intricate guitar work, which resonates throughout the album. The title track, “That Side of Me,” follows suit delivering catchy guitar riffs and honest melodies.

The journey, then, takes a turn after the opening two numbers, presenting a dark moment in our quest. Similarly to classic literature, the protagonist must fall, or metaphorically die, before rebirth can occur. “Winter’s On its Way,” a soulful ballad, uses clever lyrics conjoined with beautiful musical composition to invoke feelings of desolation and regret; the feeling of fleeting love. However, within this moment of despair and emptiness, reflection emerges in the form of “Searching,” a selection revelatory of the artist’s acceptance of the growth process: “’Cause I am a searching for the reason, for the beating of my heart / and I am finding out the answer, is a long way from the start.”

In “Standing as I am,” we experience a rebirth, a declaration of awareness, and, while incognizant of what future may hold, a fervent renewal of passion for life and love. This rebirth is evident in the lines “When the evening is over and the stars are shining through / I just want to be with you” and “Walk with me into this morning / There’s more of you I’m wanting…to see.” Sipes creatively uses these allusions to bring his audience to a place of enlightenment. “Take Me Over” is a beautiful song which speaks to the yearning for the kind of love that completes us. The bright, poppy guitar licks in the verses lull the listener into a false sense of security before the hook and chorus create a truly captivating moment.

Branden delivers a truly remarkable composition which has thoroughly impressed our staff as well as our readers. That Side of Me plays like a classic novel, taking us the through dynamics of the protagonist’s plight, from trial and tribulation to rebirth and enlightenment. If That Side of Me is any indicator of what is to come from Branden in the future, we are all in for a treat. Keep an eye out for this talented troubadour.




- Music Without Labels

Album: That Side of Me
Artist: Branden Sipes
Date: 17 May 2011
Reviewed by: Kyle C.Stilley
Music Without Labels, Beat-Play, LLC
http://www.musicwithoutlabels.com


There is something about Branden Sipes’ music that is purely authentic and that genuineness cogently manifests in his latest released album, That Side of Me. The talented, Colorado troubadour engages his listeners with a refined, baroque guitar style, accompanied by his soft, affectionate vocals. Quite interestingly, That Side of Me takes us on an acoustic journey, encountering the usual suspects of love and life while challenging us to confront said topics in respect to our own life experiences.

The journey begins brightly upbeat in the form of “Everything’s Right,” an inspiring track that sets the tone for the album while introducing to the audience Sipes’ delicate, yet intricate guitar work, which resonates throughout the album. The title track, “That Side of Me,” follows suit delivering catchy guitar riffs and honest melodies.

The journey, then, takes a turn after the opening two numbers, presenting a dark moment in our quest. Similarly to classic literature, the protagonist must fall, or metaphorically die, before rebirth can occur. “Winter’s On its Way,” a soulful ballad, uses clever lyrics conjoined with beautiful musical composition to invoke feelings of desolation and regret; the feeling of fleeting love. However, within this moment of despair and emptiness, reflection emerges in the form of “Searching,” a selection revelatory of the artist’s acceptance of the growth process: “’Cause I am a searching for the reason, for the beating of my heart / and I am finding out the answer, is a long way from the start.”

In “Standing as I am,” we experience a rebirth, a declaration of awareness, and, while incognizant of what future may hold, a fervent renewal of passion for life and love. This rebirth is evident in the lines “When the evening is over and the stars are shining through / I just want to be with you” and “Walk with me into this morning / There’s more of you I’m wanting…to see.” Sipes creatively uses these allusions to bring his audience to a place of enlightenment. “Take Me Over” is a beautiful song which speaks to the yearning for the kind of love that completes us. The bright, poppy guitar licks in the verses lull the listener into a false sense of security before the hook and chorus create a truly captivating moment.

Branden delivers a truly remarkable composition which has thoroughly impressed our staff as well as our readers. That Side of Me plays like a classic novel, taking us the through dynamics of the protagonist’s plight, from trial and tribulation to rebirth and enlightenment. If That Side of Me is any indicator of what is to come from Branden in the future, we are all in for a treat. Keep an eye out for this talented troubadour.




- Music Without Labels

Branden Sipes
Hailing from a state that is well known for its independent acoustic music, Colorado based artist Branden Sipes produces high quality folk/rock that is driven with his unique voice and acoustic guitar.
www.brandensipes.com - The Indie Music Review

Branden Sipes
Hailing from a state that is well known for its independent acoustic music, Colorado based artist Branden Sipes produces high quality folk/rock that is driven with his unique voice and acoustic guitar.
www.brandensipes.com - The Indie Music Review

Artist: Branden Sipes

Genre: Singer-Songwriter

Home: AMERICA NORTH: USA: Colorado (CO)

Author: Jamie Anderson

Review: If you like Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson and the current crop of acoustic guitar toting singer-songwriters, you definitely want to get something from Branden, 'cause he's as good, if not better. His solid rhythmic guitar is always at the center with warm expressive vocals singing some really great songs.

"Winter's on Its Way" is driven with a light snare and a sparse arrangment that presents the song well. "Going Home" is about longing for home and has a great Jack Johnson-like guitar riff that drives it all. You know a song is incredibly well-written when you hear it with just a voice and acoustic guitar and it still slays you - that's all you get with "That Side of Me" and that's all you need. Impeccably played and sung. Great lyrics, too: "I could be a saint / I could be the best you'd ever find / If you could only see that side of me." Just give her this song, Branden.

Keep an eye on this guy. Hopefully we'll all be hearing a lot more of him.
- www.indie-music.com

Artist: Branden Sipes

Genre: Singer-Songwriter

Home: AMERICA NORTH: USA: Colorado (CO)

Author: Jamie Anderson

Review: If you like Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson and the current crop of acoustic guitar toting singer-songwriters, you definitely want to get something from Branden, 'cause he's as good, if not better. His solid rhythmic guitar is always at the center with warm expressive vocals singing some really great songs.

"Winter's on Its Way" is driven with a light snare and a sparse arrangment that presents the song well. "Going Home" is about longing for home and has a great Jack Johnson-like guitar riff that drives it all. You know a song is incredibly well-written when you hear it with just a voice and acoustic guitar and it still slays you - that's all you get with "That Side of Me" and that's all you need. Impeccably played and sung. Great lyrics, too: "I could be a saint / I could be the best you'd ever find / If you could only see that side of me." Just give her this song, Branden.

Keep an eye on this guy. Hopefully we'll all be hearing a lot more of him.
- www.indie-music.com