Be Here

If it is raining by you like it is here in New York City, play Rachel Platten's album Be Here and you can't help but smile. It is so refreshing to see such a great album come from a singer who puts on energetic passionate live shows as well. Oftentimes, musicians are great at one or the other but not both. You will be hooked with the first track "Nothing Ever Happens", and "Don't Care What Time It Is" should be the feel-good, windows-down pop jam of the summer. "53 Steps" and "1,000 Ships" are damn good too. From start to finish, she puts her heart and soul in every track that you can't help but want more when it ends. One of the hardest-working musicians in the indie scene today, Rachel deserves all the success that should come her way. Buy this album now - and go tell your friends to do so as well.

If you like inspiring songs with thoughtful lyrics sung by a performer with a great voice, then you must buy this album. While the radio stations may only think she has one hit "1000 Ships," there are several other great songs and melodies on this album. I confess, some I like better than "1000 Ships." The songs are so good, that I wish she had more ... I hope she is working on her next album. While she may not be a household name, she should be ... or will be. I agree with other reviewers that the short samples don't due complete justice to her songs. Either see her in concert, or check out her website and Facebook page. You won't be disappointed.

Well, she's new to me anyway. I saw Rachel perform with Matt Nathanson in north Jersey last month and she blew me away! Her voice is amazing, something the slick production on this album doesn't truly show off. See her in concert to get the full range of her vocal ability. The album itself is tight, lots of bouncy feel-good tracks with lyrics that are more introspective and profound than your typical pop-tart crap. You get the sense from her stage show and her album that Rachel is one of the 'cool kids' everyone wants to hang out with. This is one of my current favorite albums.

I got this because I really enjoyed her single "Fight Song". I love every song on this track. It's great to listen to while you walk or on a car trip. It's relaxing and fun at the same time. It also doesn't suffer from what some albums have where there are one or two great songs and the rest are just forgettable filler material. I immensely enjoyed every single song, each one delivering a unique sound that blends together so well. If you like "Fight Song" or "Stand by You", then you may like this album even more.

I never pass up a chance to see Rachel live (she's so personable I feel like I'm on a first name basis with her). Her voice is definitely deserving of stardom, although I fear that means I won't be able to go see her for $10-15 much longer, since her shows are worth twice that. I also only buy a CD if I can listen to every song without skipping one, and this one passes the test. While the CD is great, Rachel is even better live because of her down-to-earth and playful personality. If her career continues with the quality of this CD, she's going to be big time.

I really love this album. I was directed to it through Amazon by their "Customers who purchased this album also purchased..." and from there I listened to the song clips which grabbed me instantly. I bought the album and have not been disappointed. On a side note, if the clips through Amazon aren't quite enough to totally sell you on the album, you can listen to a few of Rachel's songs in their entirety on her official website. This is very uplifting album. Whenever I listen to it I can't help, but to start bouncing around and singing along. It is certainly a shot of encouragement and optimism. I truly mean it when I say that there isn't a song on the album that I do not like. To add on to another reviewer's comment, I was also lucky enough to be able to see Rachel perform live a few weeks back and was throughly impressed. She is a true performer and her voice is amazing live. I didn't really realize how powerful her voice can be through the album alone, but she can really belt it out when she wants to. I'd highly recommend seeing her live to anyone who likes the album and has an opportunity to.

The lyrics and songwriting is sharp. Rachel is known for "1,000 Ships" but I think the strongest track of the set is "Take These Things Away" a fun, upbeat tune that really showcases her perky vocals and songwriting chops. It would be too easy to say she's another indie singer/songwriter, but her style really teeters between soft rock, pop and r & b. Really enjoyable listen, I've been listening to it everyday since I purchased a week ago.

Sheer perfection. The album is totally stunning - there's sth utterly sincere about it. What you get is ravishing tunes, brilliant lyrics, and Rachel Platten's genuinely dazzling performance. Something to be cherished for ever.