Erika Werry Nothing Clearer Comes
NOW August 18-25, 2005 VOL 24 NO 51
By BRENT RAYNOR
NOW RATING: NNNN
Some singers have the ability to reach your soul with only one sung syllable, and for that instant you swear you understand all of their hopes and fears, while your own become increasingly clear for what feels like the first time.
Now, Erika Werry has me re-evaluating my priorities. This is a largely mellow, acoustic set with lazy-day guitar solos, some beautifully morose trumpet flourishes and world-weary lyrics that leave no doubt whatsoever that Werry is a pretty deep gal with a wisdom of relationship matters that could easily land her a daytime talk show slot should this singing thing not pan out.
Liveblogging to Erika Werry's new album "Think Yer So Smart"
by Doc Pickles, April 4th 2013
My first listen of THINK YER SO SMART by Erika Werry & the Alphabet, which was just released last week: I'm hearing Cheap Trick, the stuff of angst... also a steady, world-weary clarity, wistful and nostalgic.
In "Matchless" I'm smelling old tobacco and worn out bar tables, and what a tight ending. These songs are about Erika's relations with people, not entirely autobiographical but definitely in tune with her feelings.
"Fishing for Fish" is uptempo, but sparse. There's a comfortable strain here, and she drifts up to the high note into a tidy Bob Dylan harmonica. "Early Wine" is getting prettier and prettier, and ends just soon enough to leave me feeling hollow and sad. "Neil" has a nice handclap, handclaps are so hard to nail, and there's a breakdown at the end that made me hope the song would continue.
"In Between" is a cowpoke 2 step! This one shimmers and pops. Erika's voice has been constantly steady throughout the album. This is definitely the highway song but again it has that restraint that's so often missing. It's hard to sound vulnerable without sounding tentative, but this song is cheekily emotionally mature. The vocals are totally growing on me, they push their way through all of these songs. Another tight ending.
On "Marguerite" the drums are recorded simply and sound great. Erika's starting to get a bit experimental but the song is still confident and relaxed, like a Sandro Perri in the urban country.
I was expecting "Uh Oh" to be a cutesy radio song, but instead it reminds me of a Jenny Toomey introspective. This is the candidate for the song that gets stuck in my head tonight. No drums for the first minute or so, highlighting the vulnerability in the song. This one has a nice slow build to it, a totally satisfying example of a good Erika Werry song. I'd like to hear this one in a sad dark bar. Dammit I wish it had more of a cryptic title, but that's just because this song is great. She's really relaxed but reaching for something out of her reach here, and it works. I feel terribly sad and nostalgic now.
"Shirley" is a storytelling song, and the spacey arrangement really works here, this is the sort of music that has everything to do with a landlubber looking out over the sea. I really like the songs on this album with minimalist drums. Another tight ending, lots of nice endings. Overall a satisfying first listen. If you like the sads. Which I do.
Wavelength Toronto
Erika Werry & the Alphabet upcoming CD launch: Think yer so Smart
APRIL 1, 2013
Toronto Singer/songwriter Erika Werry recently gave me a shout about her upcoming Think yer so Smart CD release, recorded by her band Erika Werry and the Alphabet and featuring co-producer Ian Blurton on guitar. While I won't be able to make it to the April 4 release this week, I was able to give it a listen so I could tell y'all about it.
An eclectic 14 tracks, Think yer so Smart is an energetic and soulful mix of folk, roots and alt country, with a bit of punk thrown in. The CD opens with punk rock rant "What" (the video will be premiering at the CD launch on Thursday), an anti-anthem for posers, tools and jackassery, changing gears in the next track with the bluesy country ballad "Matchless," a hint of gospel flavour with its organ arrangement. "Neil" has a kicky pop sensibility, with playful guitar licks and a story of love from afar. Later tracks are poetic, lyrics painting a picture in the introspective "Uh Oh," and in the wistful memories and haunting harmonies of "Shirley."
The songs on Think yer so Smart move and breathe, with Werry exhaling each story with all the ache, heart and soul-searching of life - some with a driving beat, others comfy and slow - like sitting by a campfire, wrapped in a blanket. Check it out on the Erika Werry and the Alphabet Bandcamp page. You can also find them on the CBC Music site.
The launch for Think yer so Smart is Thursday, April 4 at The Piston (937 Bloor St. West - near Ossington) - doors open at 9 p.m. Opening acts include Tim Vesley (who also co-produced Think yer so Smart), and Lost and Profound. Erika Werry & the Alphabet will also be premiering their music video of "What" (the opening track on the CD). Tickets can be purchased at the door only: $15 with CD or $8 without.
Some cool trivia: Think yer so Smart was recorded at the Woodshed (Blue Rodeo's studio) and the video for "What" was shot in Toronto last summer at Trinity Bellwoods Park on one of the most scorching hot days of the season.
life with more cowbell
Penguin Eggs Summer Issue #34
Mary Beth Carty
"I dig Erika's grainy alto, her in-and-out-of-pespective songs, delivered with expression. An observant poet, a cliche distorter, a fearless traveller, a band leader - Miss Werry is all of the above, and a competent guitar strummer to boot. One might liken her to a female Al Tuck. Arrangements incorporate brass, pedal steel, stand-up bass, and violin. "Songwriter" is a rather comical song about - you guessed it, being a songwriter - she takes us from the bedroom to the stage..."
Jake Chisholm
"Erika Werry's music jumps off her through the speakers and into you in a way that makes you wonder why it took you until now to hear about this fresh new Canadian talent. The music is honest, original, and uplifting"
Toronto's EYE Weekly Nov 16 2006
...."Time on our Hands, the second release from local musician Erika Werry, is consistently impressive... [her] singing voice is quite lovely - a kind of perfectly imperfect semi-croak..."
Sean Ridgeley
St John's Telegram and Scope weekly, NFLD
....Erika's "pleasantly hypnotic vocals and charming simplicity ring true... something to experience live"
NOW Toronto Aug 18 2005
"...beautifully morose trumpet flourishes..." rated NNNN
Toronto Eye Weekly Nov 2006
"quite lovely - a kind of perfectly imperfect semi-croak"
CIUT Radio Director Ron Burd
"Erika Werry's songwriting, performance and personality mesh perfectly, both live and on cd."
Kevin Quain
"Without fuss, hype or fanfare, Erika Werry has made one of the years' best records - That voice! Those songs! That band! *That's* what I'm talkin' about. I played the hell out of this record last summer. Still do. Sometimes I even sing along. You gotta problem with that?"
Noah Zacharin
"A lyricist & melody maker, an endearing presence, and that voice - something strong but still the water and the wind get through. And the sunlight. And the sadness."
PWYC: Erika Werry & the Alphabet, Alex Merrick & Dylan, Alex Goyetche
...Closing it out we have Erika Werry and the Alphabet! A few months back I met the delightful Erika Werry at a Doc Pickles show and this show came in motion. Erika is a terrific singer/songwriter with a great backing band who will be playing the Rancho for the first time. You can link to her CBC Radio 3 page from the link provided above to her homepage. The night will run early ish and she'll be on around 11:15. So you won't be too utterly wrecked for work on Weds morning.
Where: Rancho Relaxo (300 College)
BlogTO