Comments on: Album Review: Gretchen Peters – Burnt Toast & Offerings

By: October ‘07 Album Review Wrap-Up -- The 9513

October ‘07 Album Review Wrap-Up -- The 9513 — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 21:27:32 +0000

[...] Gretchen Peters – Burnt Toast & Offerings Gretchen Peters’ latest, Burnt Toast & Offerings, is a quiet and introspective collection of precisely-crafted songs that is remarkably detached from the usual heavy-handed imagery and overwrought production of today’s Nashville. Seldom wasting a word, Burnt Toast showcases an unparalleled maturity of thought; these stories are smart and poignant and come together to spin a complex web of human emotion. — Jim Malec [...]

By: Jim Malec

Jim Malec — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 03:54:22 +0000

I think that’s about right, actually.

By: Brody Vercher

Brody Vercher — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 03:14:55 +0000

You’ve got an astronomic sense of perception?

By: Jim Malec

Jim Malec — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 02:55:12 +0000

Now why did I think you’d mention Guy Clark? :-)

By: Brody Vercher

Brody Vercher — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 02:25:37 +0000

There’s a haunting, melancholic quality to her songs that reverberates throughout–something that I find appealing, but I agree that the material starts to bleed together after a while. Parts of the album remind me of Patty Griffin’s Children Running Through. My girlfriend automatically thought Ella Fitzgerald when she heard me listening to “One For My Baby”. I thought I detected some Celtic influence, too. One thing is for sure, it’s definitely not background music.

I think the writer of another “Sunday” song, “Sunday Morning Coming Down” to be exact, has a pretty firm grasp on narrative tone (at least as I understand that term). Guy Clarks Dublin Blues is another one that pops to mind that would give Peters a run for her money.

By: Jim Malec

Jim Malec — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 16:00:19 +0000

One of the difficult things about reviewing this record is that I’m not sure it’s something that will translate to the uninitiated.

Peters’ writing is so sophisticated that I worry it might be read as inaccessible to some (and boring to others). I think a person has to come to this record for the right reasons–because they love sincere, complicated, thoughtful songwriting.

It’s the difference between reading genre fiction and James Joyce. One serves primarily an entertainment function, and the other asks you to participate and to evaluate.

But from a review standpoint, is that the fault of the artist? I don’t think that a writer should have to dumb-down to the audience. And so, while I give this record 4 out of 5 stars (it deserves every one of them), I’m not sure it’s something that any bloke off the street will “get”.

I think most Rascal Flatts fans would find it utterly unbearable. And Peters should take a great deal of pride in that, in my opinion.

By: Brody Vercher

Brody Vercher — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 15:25:26 +0000

Upon your recommendation I’ll definitely be checking this one out, but I’m pretty sure that I can come up with an artist or two to challenge your claim about narrative tone. :P

By: Jenna Vercher

Jenna Vercher — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 05:18:33 +0000

I haven’t heard anything about her, but this review definitely makes me want to check her out!