Album Review

Amanda Abizaid – This Life

• 22nd Aug 2010

Amanda Abizaid is in the sky with diamonds with the surrealist twinning which consummates the album This Life. Her credentials are not just about being a writers’ muse, but actually proven by her presence on the soundtrack to hit US shows like Smallville, One Tree Hill and Charmed. Songs about life are always a hit with anyone who has time to melt in to an atmosphere of soft pop like a marshmallow.

The Lebonese and American beauty that this songstress is combines all the warmth of a cup of hot chocolate and the magic of a fireworks display and pulls out of the air some quality unkno. The vocals are soft and charming, ascending up to the heavens and unashamedly angelic. Standout tracks include the opener Blue Star Red Sky includes perfectly woven synthesised stabs is a something The Beatles would be jealous of, even at the height of their Sgt. Pepper era. The inviting tingling guitars continue through Wash Me, Undivided to the highlight and title track This Life, a track full of repentance, promises and the optimism which cocoons the whole from the drudgery and dross churned out by inhospitable and inclement weather.

The finale comes in the form of friendship as the soothing piano chords chomp their way through bars. Hands reached out to “When you are down and out/Come to me we’ll share a bite or two”. As the end nears the record manages tugs at the heartstrings of the listener. The serenity is unmissable and can hardly be contained by the digitally encoded bits.

Dido seems yesterday’s as the more araldite Amanda Abizaid easily takes the crown of easy listening music. Give your mind body and soul a relaxing half an hour, plug in and step out of the world on this universal tour of limitless undying love.