ARTIST: Karrie Hopper
TITLE: An Unusual Move
LABEL: Nobody's Favorite Records
GENRE: Folk
BITRATE: 179kbps avg
PLAYTIME: 0h 36m total
RELEASE DATE: 2007-01-13
RIP DATE: 2007-02-13
Track List
----------
1. An Unusual Move 3:04
2. Twilight Song 2:31
3. Tuesday 3:15
4. The Night Game 2:49
5. Beyond The Wild 3:10
6. Prayer Before Nightmare 3:19
7. Ten Years From Now 2:41
8. True Rider 3:18
9. Racing 3:43
10. Take My Life 3:05
11. Inspiration City 2:57
12. You Were Loved 3:07
Release Notes:
Before moving to Austin three years ago, Karrie Hopper contemplated a move to
New York from her home in San Antonio. The decision to stay local was
undoubtedly a wise one. One could imagine New York absolutely chewing up the
gentle talent of Hopper, whereas here she fell in with the family of extremely
gifted songwriters that included Lily and Will Courtney of Brothers and Sisters,
David Israel, Ethan Azarian, and Randy Reynolds of Leatherbag. The influence of
those artists and that type of nurturing community can be felt throughout
HopperÆs debut album, An Unusual Move. The songs carry a deeply personal charm,
calm and contemplative and showing a songwriter searching humbly and hesitantly
for her voice. And although ôcharmingö may be the most likely adjective that
will be attached to the album, the songs do not so much charm as slowly wind
themselves like a comforting Kudzu, enveloping the listener like the ivy
covering a familiar cellar and backyard playhouse from childhood.
HopperÆs singing echoes that voice from childhood, whistling like a lost moment
from Terabithia that attempts to bridge the chasm between a doe-eyed innocence
and reluctant but inevitable knowing in growing older. Her voice isnÆt powerful,
but it is so intimate and personal that it gains its emotion by being completely
relatable and sympathetic. As she admits in the opening title track of the
album, ôThere was a second thought down that I might fall, into something sad
and senseless, but I knew IÆd make it out to see how everyone must take their
chances.ö And much of the album reflects Hopper consciously taking that chance,
sharing late night diary entries and confessionals with a quiet faith that weÆll
understand.
That intimacy that Hopper entrusts to us often makes the album somewhat
uncomfortable and slightly voyeuristic in its openness. The disclosures that she
makes throughout seem so personally introspective that on songs like ôTuesday,ö
ôTrue Riderö or ôTake My Life,ö whether they are autobiographical or not, one
canÆt help but feel close to the person behind the voice. In the best moments of
An Unusual Move the songs revel in the simplicity of Cake on Cake while evoking
the passionate sincerity Azure Ray. But love and relationships throughout are
kept more platonic than romantic, so that even as she confesses her love to a
friend on ôTuesday,ö there remains a passive innocence as she slowly lets the
anxiety distill into the song: ôI will be patient, a rock in the wind remains in
the same place no matter whatÆs coming, I promise to stay.ö Likewise, ôTen Years
From Now,ö even with its accompanying male vocals, seems to ultimately reflect
more of a friendship than sexual relationship behind such wonderful lines as ôI
know that time changes everything that happens for the people that itÆs after.
Stay by my side, I will hold your hand tightly so the changes donÆt scatter.ö
The slightly off-kilter arrangements and straining range of her voice play
between an amateur allure and an expertly calculated movement that continually
twists the songs at unexpected moments to keep them alive and interesting. The
male vocals on songs like ôTen Years From Nowö offer an anchor that could have
been employed on other tracks as well. And although the harpsichord and possible
political allegory on ôThe Night Gameö twirls a bit too unstably and the whimsy
of songs like ôRacingö teeters on being too fey, Hopper often produces such
unexpectedly poetic phrases within her songs that gems are hidden everywhere
within them.
ItÆs hard not to want to root for Hopper, to hope that her songs can maintain
the innocent and optimistic outlook that pervades even in the more serious
moments of the album. In part, that desire comes from a nostalgia opened in her
direct emotional earnestness, but also because it seems that these moments and
emotions canÆt be sustained - those she loves are never operating in the same
world as Hopper. But still, she continues to reach out regardless, declaring on
the final track ôYou Were Lovedö that ôIÆll keep on swallowing flames, IÆve
never been afraid to be where you are.ö One only wishes they could be were she
is.