Artist: Brett Dennen Album: Smoke and Mirrors

Year: 2013
Duration: 0:0-1

Smoke and Mirrors: A Critical Review of Brett Dennen's Album

Brett Dennen’s “Smoke and Mirrors” is an album that truly reflects the talent, passion, and emotions of the artist. As a long time fan of the singer-songwriter, I was eagerly waiting for the release of this album and was not disappointed. The album brings a fresh sound, blending different genres and styles, while staying true to Dennen’s unique, soulful voice. In this blog post, I will provide a brief introduction to the artist, the music genre, and review the album critically. My aim is to give listeners a clear insight into the album, highlighting the best songs and most innovative parts of the music.

To begin, Brett Dennen is an American musician whose career began in 2004 when he released his debut self-titled album, Brett Dennen. Since then, he has released a number of successful albums and has received critical acclaim for his work. Dennen is known for his authenticity as a songwriter and his ability to connect with his audience through his music. “Smoke and Mirrors” is his seventh studio album and is a combination of folk, rock, and soul music.

The album has a unique sound, blending acoustic and electric guitars with drums and vibrant basslines. One of the standout tracks is “Already Gone,” a folky, jangly track that sees Dennen’s voice in a powerful and raw state. The track “Queen of the Westside,” showcases Dennen’s storytelling abilities, as he paints a vivid picture of a woman who is powerful and independent. “See the World” is another standout track on the album, which features Dennen’s incredible falsetto voice. The song has a hopeful and uplifting message that encourages listeners to see the good side of life.

One of the most innovative parts of the album is the way Dennen blends different genres and styles. He mixes rock ‘n’ roll, folk, and soul together to create a sound that is unique to him and his band. The album has a polished feel, with each song seamlessly blending into the next. Dennen has collaborated with a number of artists on the album, which created a diverse and dynamic sound.

However, there were a few parts of the album that did not sit well with me. For example, the lyrics in “Just Like the Moon” lacked depth and felt clichéd. The song felt like filler material and did not match the high standard of the rest of the album. Additionally, there were moments when the album felt overproduced, which detracted from the raw emotion of the songs.

Overall, Brett Dennen’s “Smoke and Mirrors” is a strong album that showcases his talent as a musician and songwriter. The album is a distinct blend of genres that gives a fresh take on folk and rock music. Though there were some areas of the album that were slightly lacking, such as the lyrics in “Just Like the Moon,” the album as a whole is excellent. Dennen has once again proven his ability to connect with his audience with his authentic and soulful voice. If you are a fan of folk, rock, and soul music, then this album is definitely worth a listen.