Album: Faultline/ Artist: Adrienne Price / 13 tracks: 48:03/ Nettwerk Productions
A phenomenally gifted singer/songwriter strapped on her guitar, and blew away the audience with her music in late November, while opening for ISSA (formerly known as Jane Siberry), in Vancouver, Canada. By the time, Adrienne Pierce ended her all too brief four-song set, concertgoers were clamoring to hear more, and many realized they had just 
witnessed an artist on the verge of becoming a star.
The Los Angeles based Pierce, who is originally from the Vancouver area, gifts us with thirteen tracks of exquisitely crafted, alternative pop tunes, on her album Faultline. Her song “Better Year,” possesses an easygoing melody, with good hooks, a contagious beat, and deep groove. This is an uplifting song that looks forward with hope rather than lamenting what has been.
Pierce delivers lyrics with the honesty of a Suzanne Vega, only minus the cynicism. The emotionally charged title track “Faultline,” packs the same evocative wallop as Natalie Imbruglia’s “Torn,” and the more cryptic “Jealousy,” by Natalie Merchant.
Adrienne Pierce possesses the same attribute which distinguishes prolific songwriters, whose music is timeless, from those who are more mundane and whose moment of fame is fleeting. She is a gifted lyricist, and talented storyteller, whose songs paint vivid images, and bring her words to life. Like ISSA, Sheryl Crow and Gordon Lightfoot, Pierce not only opens the book when she begins to sing, but she helps you turn the pages, as the stories unfold.
“Laundry And Dishes,” is a beautifully crafted tune, in which Pierce becomes completely vulnerable. The ballad begins with the singer’s inability to keep the smaller details of life together as a romantic relationship fails, and then chronicles a downward spiral into depression. In so many ways, this song is a sad commentary, concerning a trap that so many of us fall into, when we allow our self worth to be determined by others. Pierce sings effortlessly, and has stunningly beautiful vocals. Each phrase is perfectly measured, each word carefully considered. “Laundry And Dishes,” like so many of the tunes from Faultline, have ‘hit’ written all over them.
In a previous interview, granted prior to her performance at the prestigious Austin Texas, SXSW, Pierce noted that more than anything else, her CD Faultline represents the many changes she was experiencing in her life, while she was writing, co-writing and recording these songs. She draws from sorrow, excitement and uncertainty, as the emotions flow easily through the music, from deep within Pierce’s soul.
Producers Jeff Trott (Sheryl Crow) and Thom Russo (Johnny Cash, Janet Jackson), ensured a CD that has an excellent mix, great balance and musically is second to none.
Adrienne Pierce’s music has also been featured on Gray’s Anatomy, Veronica Mars and other television programs.
Catch a star on the rise, dial into the music of Adrienne Pierce.
On the west coast, you may want to take in Pierce’s performance at the Knitting Factory in Los Angeles. East coast music fans, can hear her at New York City’s Joe’s on December 21st and 22nd, while those living in Toronto, can drop into Hugh’s Room on December 12th, 13th and 14th.
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Reviewed December 2007
