Shining a Light on Exceptional Christian Music

Since Regina Spektor’s recent popularity, there’s been an epidemic of piano playing teenage girls who are obviously influenced by the singer in their attempts at being “unique.” Let’s applaud Brooke Waggoner for not being one of those girls.  Waggoner is more genuine in creating something original—it’s playful (‘Daylover’), but not at all annoying (teenage Youtube girls).   It’s catchy orchestral indie-pop when some might expect Regina pop.

Waggoner is distinct in her shifting melodies, key changes, and arranged instrumentation.  Heal for the Honey, a delicate blend of piano, electric sounds and an impressive string section.  The opening track, ‘Lung Speed, Lung Sped,’ starts with a light hearted piano melody leading into a catchy  “ooo ooo” part, which, along with the strings arrangement, makes the song stand out as one of her best.  In the song, her voice is doubled to create a whispery, mystical sound reminiscent of a fairy tale—think Robin Hood or Red Riding Hood.  It would be safe to say fairy tales influences Brooke Waggoner:  she has a b-side called ‘Red-Robin Hood’ about the hypothetical marriage of the two classic characters.  Whimsicality is a strong suit for Waggoner.  The fast paced ‘Daylover’ has whistling, “ahhs,” “ooos” and “doos” that happen consecutively before she counts to eight.  Then: “Beat the wall, don’t beat the gate.  Wait until it’s hinged.  Beg to be forgived.”

‘Live for the Sounds’ wins the contest for best string arrangement.  The sound of the violins and bass is as deep and beautiful as what The Beatles did in ‘Strawberry Fields Forever,’ or ‘Eleanor Rigby.’  The same goes for ‘Beaut,’ another strong string arrangement.

‘Colorbloods’ has the best melody and lyrics of the album. The highlight of the song comes right before the second chorus: “Oh you wish you would not fear.  Colorbloods, that’s what we were.  Sparkling ones, that’s what we were.” When the drums hit its almost like when the drums on Radiohead’s ‘Pyramid Song’ off Amnesiac.  What Thom Yorke does is use the drums to create a surreal climax/on-going feeling, like it’s the end of the world, but you want it to keep going—a brilliant touch to ‘Colorbloods.’ It’s at the height of the emotional potential that the song could possibly reach.  And then the song fades into just her falsetto and soft piano voice.

‘Come Love, See My Hands,’ another gem off the album, begins with an eerie clash of symbols and banging piano that leave behind her reverbed voice and piano that see each other through to the end.   There’s plenty of space in the song, which adds to the eeriness of the whole thing.  ‘Come Love, See My Hands’ is part of the reason this album is not just playful—it’s also hauntingly beautiful.

Heal for the Honey is a good listen for those of us who crave brilliantly arranged pop music.  We get tired of the same thing playing on the radio.  Yes, it is another girl who writes pop songs for the piano, but this girl isn’t another cliché.  Brooke Waggoner switches it up track by track.  Keep an eye out for her B-Side series as well as her summer tour dates on her website.  I’m confident she won’t disappoint.

Sounds similar to: Fionna Apple, Jesca Hoop, Rachel Yamagata

Written by: Davy Long