Brett Dennen Albums (3)
'Hope for the Hopeless'
Release Date 10/21/2008
Tracks 11
Label Dualtone
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
A deliberately careful songwriter with an at times Dylanesque flair for unlikely rhymes (he matches "spokes" with "hoax," for instance, and mostly gets away with it), a certain Nick Drake-like fragility (due in large part to his voice, which is pitched high and sounds at times eerily like Billie Holiday), and a subtle African pop feel (he has Femi Kuti singing backing vocals on one of the songs here), Brett Dennen is certainly singular, and at his best, he catches a breezy, mellow groove that allows his thoughtful songs to truly shine. If there's a downside, it's that they all shine in almost exactly the same way, and over the course of an album, can start to feel like one big mellow song sung over and over again without a whole lot of variation. But when these songs work, they really work, and pieces like "Heaven," even though Dennen goes on about things like "the cloth of conviction," are strikingly effective. Other standouts on Hope for the Hopeless, his third album, include the Kuti track, "Make You Crazy" (which features Dennen's most perfectly soulful and spirited vocal yet), the easily likeable "World Keeps Turning," the impressive "Ain't Gonna Lose You" (where the spokes/hoax rhyme dwells), and the innocently positive and hopeful "Follow Your Heart," even though it sounds maybe too much like a second rewrite of Neil Young's "Heart of Gold" at times. Nothing here is less than pleasant, but the lyrics do get a little on the overwrought and ornate side in songs like "So Far from Me," where crows ravage a field of wheat while scarecrows know their own defeat etc., and if Dylan can get away with stuff like that because he's, well, Dylan, Dennen makes it all sound just a little too delicate and labored. Still, Hope for the Hopeless works more than it doesn't, and when it really clicks here, which is often enough, Dennen shows himself to be a unique voice and talent. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Occasionally, one comes across a male vocalist who has a very female style of singing and actually sounds like he could be a woman -- and that can be an artistic plus. It has certainly worked well for Jimmy Scott, one of the finest male jazz vocalists of all time. And having a female-sounding voice is also a positive for singer/songwriter Brett Dennen, whose So Much More demonstrates that he shares Scott's strong appreciation of Billie Holiday. But unlike Scott, Dennen is not a jazz singer; his turf is folk-rock, and Tracy Chapman is as strong an influence -- or an even stronger influence -- than Lady Day. The Holiday influence asserts itself in his vocal phrasing but not stylistically or genre-wise; Chapman, however, has influenced Dennen's songwriting in addition to influencing his soulful phrasing. The feminine quality that Dennen brings to his introspective, sometimes melancholy performances doesn't mean that he is devoid of male influences; discerning listeners will also hear traces of Bob Dylan and Dave Matthews in his material (Dennen clearly shares Matthews' appreciation of African pop). And none of these influences -- either female or male -- are people Dennen goes out of his way to emulate; it's clear that Dennen is his own person whether he is reflecting on romantic matters or sociopolitical concerns. Gratefully, Dennen avoids being preachy on his more sociopolitical lyrics; his approach is understated and subtle, and he doesn't come across as someone who is getting on a soapbox and beating listeners over the head with his beliefs. So Much More isn't quite as consistent as it could have been -- some of the tracks are excellent, others not as memorable -- but overall, this 2006 release shows Dennen to be an intriguing and expressive part of folk-rock. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Folkie singer-songwriter Brett Dennen's self-titled debut has the easy-going lope and world music influences of Jack Johnson or Dave Matthews, and his voice is oddly similar to that of Tracy Chapman, with the same slightly nasal quality and occasionally bluesy inflections. Though Brett Dennen is an agreeable listen, perfect for any anti-chain coffeehouse of independent bookstore, its lack of genuinely catchy tunes or thought-provoking lyrics means it tends to slip quickly from memory. The main exception is the thoughtful ballad "All We Have," which features Dennen's most affecting vocal. Too much of the rest is simply pleasant. ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide
