Tracy Bonham – Down Here

Artist: Tracy Bonham

Title: Down Here

Label: Island

Rating: 8.5/10

Track #

1. Freed A melodic rocker that in my opinion boosts Bonham up a level. The bridge is wonderfully distracting and elegant. 8/10

2. Behind Every Good Woman A very big sound and chorus. Look out Sheryl Crow. 7.5/10

3. You Don’t Know Me A different flavored vocal that’s sweet to the ears even as it’s tearing you apart. Another great melody and a fabulous bridge that combines strings with roaring guitars. 8/10

4. Fake It “I don’t have to fake it/ I don’t have lead you on” roars the chorus. I just can’t get enough. I’m becoming a believer. 8.5/10

5. Cold Day In Hell A wildly slow ride through a stuttering violin as the heavy sections creep in almost undetected and disturb the hell out of your consciousness. 6/10

6. Jumping Bean Running and jumping along on a surprising pace. The briskness suits the mood for this nice piece. 8.5/10

7. Oasis Hotel Instrumental. N/A

8. Second Wind A sleepy trip on the redeye. 6/10

9. Thumbalina Oh, how I love the chorus. Bonham’s voice just burns right through me. 9/10

10. Meathook The title describes the sound perfectly. Mix in a juicy guitar with a loop and top it off with a hip-slapping melody. You get the idea. 8/10

11. Can’t Always Not Get What You Don’t Want An awfully long title, but never breaks up the flow. The chorus isn’t as satisfying as those previous. Will satisfy those who want to hear Bonham get heavy. 6/10

12. Give Us Something To Feel Psychedelic mixer. The only thing this song is missing is Ravi Shankar. The verse is as strong as the chorus with no point of weakness. It’s beautiful and full of life. 7.5/10

I have to say that I didn’t have much hope for this being good, but Bonham has truly kicked ass on this release. I never cared for her first one, The Burdens Of Being Upright, and its hit single, “Mother Mother”, but none of that matters now. Down Here is tremendous and should not, I repeat, should not, be passed by.

+ charlatan