Juliagrace

am no music aficionado – so definitely don’t go asking me for my opinions on musical talent or composition. I can’t sit and listen to an album and liken their musical styling to a list of artists. In fact I can give you very little advice, direction or wisdom at all when it comes to an album review. But lyrics are my thing – I like a solid set of lyrics that you can hang your hat off. And I like a good old sing-along – songs that demand you to march along with them. And, like the best of us, to go off my gut.

And “guts” is why I like the latest offering from Julia Grace, 'Beautiful Survivor'.

As a fan of hers from back in her days as lead singer of the electronica band Elevator I was eager to hear her second solo album. And it was everything I had expected from a woman with “guts.” The album is open and honest, a wide spread offering that invites you into life in all its highs and lows, disappointments, and triumphs. From the opening refrains of ‘Thanks to You” to the final refrains of her cover of the Academy Award winning song “Falling Slowly” there is a beautiful vulnerability that draws you in and holds your attention.

There are some definitive highlights.

The title song “Beautiful survivor” has that elusive quality of popular songs, that ability to make you think you already know it and have you singing along the very first time you listen to it. And this is a quality that is echoed in the song “Perfect Reason” - a song that made my toes curl with pleasure and, like the lyrics, may just give me “the perfect reason to stay home instead”.

And while it might seem unusual to end an album with another artists cover – “Falling Slowly” is the perfect ending to this melancholy celebration of the human spirit.
- Athalia Bond, thread.co.nz

AC artist Juliagrace’s sophomore album has been five years in the making, and from the opener Thanks To You, which draws you in with wistful and whimsical melodies, it is evident that it has been a lovingly crafted project. The touching lyrics and soaring vocals fuel the strength of ‘Beautiful Survivor’, helping to create the general atmosphere of courage across the album’s 10 tracks. Drawing from personal experience in her songwriting, each of Juliagrace’s folk-based songs tell an enchanting and honest story. Producers Nic Manders (Brooke Fraser) and Parachute Music label mate Brad Dring have achieved a warm and inviting sound which expertly conveys the intimacy of the songs. Having had this album on repeat in my car all week, I can wholeheartedly say that it gets better with every listen, and as the themes deepen in meaning. This is an album that keeps on sparkling until the final note. - Amy Maclaine, NZ Musician

One problem with being identified as a "Christian artist" -- as so many have discovered -- is that there is a resistance to them outside that market, and because of that many simply give up and stay with the audience which has and will support them.

The other problem is that it means many outside of Christian circles are denied hearing some exceptional singers and songwriters -- most of whom who have no overt Christian agenda in their lyrics.

One such is the captivating Juliagrace who has a clear and confident voice, a sense of humour (see the clip below) and writes songs which have neatly ambiguous meanings: they may be songs of faith -- as in the chorus of Thanks to You here -- but equally they can be read as secular.

Certainly she delivers one of the finest songs about the joy of family life away from the social parade of weekends (Perfect Reason), and with discreet orchestration here to give further emotional uplift to songs like Open Window she proves that she can not only write but deliver with warmth and conviction.

Shifting easily between alt.folk (the reflective Stitched Up, the interesting Sweet Emily with a hint of early Joni Mitchell) and open-hearted pop balladry, Juliagrace -- a mother of two I believe -- brings a maturity of lyric and thought to these songs which is uncommonly observant and sympathetic.

The sorrow-filled yet optimistic Diamond here is . . . well, a gem actually.

And I'd bet you could slip this in front of a couple of dozen people and not one would know she was a regular the Parachute festival . . . or that her debut album won the New Zealand music award in 2006 for best Christian/gospel album.

They would just hear a terrific singer-songwriter with a mainline to classic pop ballads and thoughtful lyrics.

A note to about the packaging: as much care and attention to detail has been applied to that as the songs and production. Which enhances the sense that this as fine an album from a local singer-songwriter as you are likely to hear.



Added: 23 Aug 10

- Graham Reid, elsewhere.co.nz