“Thick guitar tones, a rich voice and sophisticated song craft are
just the beginning for this artist, who won us over with her warm, fully
realized recordings…strong vocals in every area and an appealing Grace
Potter essence. It’s the song ‘I Remember A Boy’ that kills…devastating
and beautiful.”
~ Music Connection
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Release Date: 05-February-2013
Genre: Pop / R&B / Contemporary / Singer-Songwriter
Publisher: [p][c] 2013 Shannon LaBrie
Label: Unsigned
Total Time: 44m 46s
Review Date: 19-February-2013
Review Format: AAC (iTunes)
Bit Rate: 256 kbps
For Fans Of: Joss Stone, Adele, Neko Case, Katie Herzig
Songs In Jivewired Radio Rotation:Headlines, Just Be Honest, I Remember A Boy
Best Songs:Lion's Cage, I Remember A Boy, Love Somebody, Headlines, Last To Know
Team Photo:Heartache Of Love, Secret, Take Me
Previous Jivewired Review: None
Jivewired Digital One Sheet:http://jivewired.com/shannonlabrie
![]()
Get it at:
iTunes | Amazon | Artist Website
Track Listing:
01. Secret 3:20
02. Lion's Cage 4:08
03. Heartache Of Love 4:10
04. Just Be Honest 4:12
05. I Remember A Boy 3:28
06. Love Somebody 3:48
07. How Does It Feel 3:58
08. Slow Dance 3:11
09. Take Me 3:45
10. Headlines 3:02
11. Last To Know 3:56
Review:
We don't do a lot of singer-songwriter reviews quite simply because it is often difficult for artists to stand out in this very contemporary genre. Shannon LaBrie stands out. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that with Just Be Honest, Shannon has delivered a finished product that screams major-label and super-stardom appeal along the lines of Joss Stone or Norah Jones. There's something extra in the performances on this album that really separates Shannon from the rest of the field. She scores high marks across the board: vocals, songwriting, arrangements, production -- all well, well above average. In fact, it's difficult to find any flaws in this recording.
Shannon delivered a pretty spectacular EP last year, and two of her songs, Some Kind Of Rescue and Gettin' Tired, were very popular among indiephiles. Critical acclaim from Bob Lefsetz and Music Connection gave her a bit of industry and mainstream notoriety as well. Her first full-length, Just Be Honest, takes LaBrie to new heights. The maturity has been there from the beginning but with this album we are witnessing quite possibly music's next break-out singer/songwriter. Drawing on comparisons, I keep going back to the start of Joss Stone's career. Shannon has a similar soul-driven voice that is both sultry and longingly aching at the same time. I sense no vocal correction - it's all Shannon and it's all wonderful. Her songwriting is positively excellent as well.
Despite the albums pop appeal, Shannon remains a true indie. The fact that this effort is entirely a DIY labor of love is not the difference maker, and it shouldn't be, but when you factor that in it makes listening to this album an almost surreal experience. This is an unsigned artist, and this is an independent release. But Just Be Honest sounds as good as anything released in this genre in the past ten years, mainstream or independent, and I make no apologies to similar artists like Norah Jones, Joss Stone or even Adele because the comparison is valid -- not saying Shannon is better, just that she certainly deserves to be mentioned with those artists. One listen to the first single, I Remember A Boy will most certainly draw comparisons to her esteemed peers by almost everybody.
It's pretty obvious as to why Shannon LaBrie belongs and as to why she stands above similar indie contemporaries: in the recording of this album Shannon deftly avoids the overbearing histrionics and the excessive, over-the-top and forced acrobatic emotion that often plague similar artists. As a listener we are instead treated to a soulful voice that speaks in lucid splendor, one that avoids superlative attempts at conveying emotion -- sad without depression, happy without giddiness, i.e. we are witness to a singer that creates force in restraint and by the use of subtle vocal nuances to reveal powerful feelings. We feel the conviction in her lyrics, and the rhythmic drive of the arrangements build an elaborate mosaic with which to showcase LaBrie's voice. Playing to those strengths makes this album a winner.
I usually like to point out an album's standout songs but to be honest they're all equally impressive. If I was forced to choose a favorite I'd go with Lion's Cage or I Remember A Boy but in the case of Just Be Honest it's really best to just enjoy the entire album. There are very few flawless, contemporary pop albums, but this one by Shannon LaBrie is about as close as it gets. It's an enjoyable listen, and the production and engineering is absolutely pristine. Combine that with Shannon's remarkable voice, her focused attention to detail, her ability to cut straight to the heart lyrically, truly infectious arrangements and her loyalty to her indie roots and you have quite possibly pop music's most exciting neo-soul discovery of 2013.
About Shannon LaBrie:
Shannon Labrie Releases Just Be Honest February 5, 2013
Preceding Buzz includes Kings of A&R, Music Connection and The Lefsetz Letter
On Shannon Labrie’s debut album Just Be Honest, she kicks off the proceedings by staring down her demons and admonishing her biggest fears with “Secret,” a retro-R&B influenced song laced with vibrant horns. The young songwriter comes by her fears more honestly than most, battling a serious (and ongoing) illness at age 9 and losing her father at 14. She grew up fast, at first rebelling, then spending several years on a curious solo journey across the country studying philosophy, theology and writing songs. Now in Nashville, she’s readying her 12-song February 5, 2013 release with plenty of industry buzz, receiving compliments from The Lefsetz Letter, M: Music and Musicians, Kings of A&R and more.
Adept on the piano and guitar, the singer/songwriter says she was “raised on James Taylor and Lauren Hill. Music Connection has named her as one of the “Best Unsigned Artists of 2012,” and Labrie will be part of the iTunes Nashville Indie Spotlight including Brooke Waggoner, Matthew Perryman Jones, Katie Herzig and Mindy Smith.”
Perhaps the song that has gotten the most attention is “I Remember A Boy,” backed by soulful guitar tones that hint at Daniel Lanois. “…This track affected me. Made me believe like the great singer-songwriters of yore, maybe this woman has something to say. That in this crazy, mixed-up, shook-up world she can illuminate her story and people can relate.”
-- Bob Lefsetz, The Lefsetz Letter
The title track is a lush and rich plea that would fit alongside a playlist that includes Carol King and Norah Jones. “Gettin’ Tired” showcases her penchant for jazz, a gift from her father who, “played original, complicated and beautiful songs regardless of the fact that he was never professionally trained,” she shares. In “Heartache of Love” Shannon showcases not only her talent on piano but also reveals her more intimate side, reveling in the feelings of love and loss.
Despite many of Labrie's hardships, she has managed to find the good side in her infectious song “Love Somebody.” “When I am in my darkest moments of loss, doubt and pain, I am shown what it looks like to love someone and to be loved. My closest friends didn't run, didn't give up, and didn't let me sink. They stuck with me and brought me to the other side. I can only hope to bring that same message to anyone.”
Labrie’s original song, “You Found Me,” was recorded exclusively as a pivotal song in the movie (and on the soundtrack) for the major motion picture “Make Your Move” out Sept of 2013. She will be performing select dates in January with Malcolm Holcombe, playing solo at LA’s House of Blues Voodoo Lounge January 24th, SXSW week in March and performing at the annual NON-COMMvention in May.
![]()
~ Music Connection
Release Date: 05-February-2013
Genre: Pop / R&B / Contemporary / Singer-Songwriter
Publisher: [p][c] 2013 Shannon LaBrie
Label: Unsigned
Total Time: 44m 46s
Review Date: 19-February-2013
Review Format: AAC (iTunes)
Bit Rate: 256 kbps
For Fans Of: Joss Stone, Adele, Neko Case, Katie Herzig
Songs In Jivewired Radio Rotation:Headlines, Just Be Honest, I Remember A Boy
Best Songs:Lion's Cage, I Remember A Boy, Love Somebody, Headlines, Last To Know
Team Photo:Heartache Of Love, Secret, Take Me
Previous Jivewired Review: None
Jivewired Digital One Sheet:http://jivewired.com/shannonlabrie
Get it at:
iTunes | Amazon | Artist Website
Track Listing:
01. Secret 3:20
02. Lion's Cage 4:08
03. Heartache Of Love 4:10
04. Just Be Honest 4:12
05. I Remember A Boy 3:28
06. Love Somebody 3:48
07. How Does It Feel 3:58
08. Slow Dance 3:11
09. Take Me 3:45
10. Headlines 3:02
11. Last To Know 3:56
Review:
We don't do a lot of singer-songwriter reviews quite simply because it is often difficult for artists to stand out in this very contemporary genre. Shannon LaBrie stands out. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that with Just Be Honest, Shannon has delivered a finished product that screams major-label and super-stardom appeal along the lines of Joss Stone or Norah Jones. There's something extra in the performances on this album that really separates Shannon from the rest of the field. She scores high marks across the board: vocals, songwriting, arrangements, production -- all well, well above average. In fact, it's difficult to find any flaws in this recording.
Shannon delivered a pretty spectacular EP last year, and two of her songs, Some Kind Of Rescue and Gettin' Tired, were very popular among indiephiles. Critical acclaim from Bob Lefsetz and Music Connection gave her a bit of industry and mainstream notoriety as well. Her first full-length, Just Be Honest, takes LaBrie to new heights. The maturity has been there from the beginning but with this album we are witnessing quite possibly music's next break-out singer/songwriter. Drawing on comparisons, I keep going back to the start of Joss Stone's career. Shannon has a similar soul-driven voice that is both sultry and longingly aching at the same time. I sense no vocal correction - it's all Shannon and it's all wonderful. Her songwriting is positively excellent as well.
Despite the albums pop appeal, Shannon remains a true indie. The fact that this effort is entirely a DIY labor of love is not the difference maker, and it shouldn't be, but when you factor that in it makes listening to this album an almost surreal experience. This is an unsigned artist, and this is an independent release. But Just Be Honest sounds as good as anything released in this genre in the past ten years, mainstream or independent, and I make no apologies to similar artists like Norah Jones, Joss Stone or even Adele because the comparison is valid -- not saying Shannon is better, just that she certainly deserves to be mentioned with those artists. One listen to the first single, I Remember A Boy will most certainly draw comparisons to her esteemed peers by almost everybody.
It's pretty obvious as to why Shannon LaBrie belongs and as to why she stands above similar indie contemporaries: in the recording of this album Shannon deftly avoids the overbearing histrionics and the excessive, over-the-top and forced acrobatic emotion that often plague similar artists. As a listener we are instead treated to a soulful voice that speaks in lucid splendor, one that avoids superlative attempts at conveying emotion -- sad without depression, happy without giddiness, i.e. we are witness to a singer that creates force in restraint and by the use of subtle vocal nuances to reveal powerful feelings. We feel the conviction in her lyrics, and the rhythmic drive of the arrangements build an elaborate mosaic with which to showcase LaBrie's voice. Playing to those strengths makes this album a winner.
I usually like to point out an album's standout songs but to be honest they're all equally impressive. If I was forced to choose a favorite I'd go with Lion's Cage or I Remember A Boy but in the case of Just Be Honest it's really best to just enjoy the entire album. There are very few flawless, contemporary pop albums, but this one by Shannon LaBrie is about as close as it gets. It's an enjoyable listen, and the production and engineering is absolutely pristine. Combine that with Shannon's remarkable voice, her focused attention to detail, her ability to cut straight to the heart lyrically, truly infectious arrangements and her loyalty to her indie roots and you have quite possibly pop music's most exciting neo-soul discovery of 2013.
About Shannon LaBrie:
Shannon Labrie Releases Just Be Honest February 5, 2013
Preceding Buzz includes Kings of A&R, Music Connection and The Lefsetz Letter
On Shannon Labrie’s debut album Just Be Honest, she kicks off the proceedings by staring down her demons and admonishing her biggest fears with “Secret,” a retro-R&B influenced song laced with vibrant horns. The young songwriter comes by her fears more honestly than most, battling a serious (and ongoing) illness at age 9 and losing her father at 14. She grew up fast, at first rebelling, then spending several years on a curious solo journey across the country studying philosophy, theology and writing songs. Now in Nashville, she’s readying her 12-song February 5, 2013 release with plenty of industry buzz, receiving compliments from The Lefsetz Letter, M: Music and Musicians, Kings of A&R and more.
Adept on the piano and guitar, the singer/songwriter says she was “raised on James Taylor and Lauren Hill. Music Connection has named her as one of the “Best Unsigned Artists of 2012,” and Labrie will be part of the iTunes Nashville Indie Spotlight including Brooke Waggoner, Matthew Perryman Jones, Katie Herzig and Mindy Smith.”
Perhaps the song that has gotten the most attention is “I Remember A Boy,” backed by soulful guitar tones that hint at Daniel Lanois. “…This track affected me. Made me believe like the great singer-songwriters of yore, maybe this woman has something to say. That in this crazy, mixed-up, shook-up world she can illuminate her story and people can relate.”
-- Bob Lefsetz, The Lefsetz Letter
The title track is a lush and rich plea that would fit alongside a playlist that includes Carol King and Norah Jones. “Gettin’ Tired” showcases her penchant for jazz, a gift from her father who, “played original, complicated and beautiful songs regardless of the fact that he was never professionally trained,” she shares. In “Heartache of Love” Shannon showcases not only her talent on piano but also reveals her more intimate side, reveling in the feelings of love and loss.
Despite many of Labrie's hardships, she has managed to find the good side in her infectious song “Love Somebody.” “When I am in my darkest moments of loss, doubt and pain, I am shown what it looks like to love someone and to be loved. My closest friends didn't run, didn't give up, and didn't let me sink. They stuck with me and brought me to the other side. I can only hope to bring that same message to anyone.”
Labrie’s original song, “You Found Me,” was recorded exclusively as a pivotal song in the movie (and on the soundtrack) for the major motion picture “Make Your Move” out Sept of 2013. She will be performing select dates in January with Malcolm Holcombe, playing solo at LA’s House of Blues Voodoo Lounge January 24th, SXSW week in March and performing at the annual NON-COMMvention in May.