Up for a BRITs Critics’ Choice Award in 2013, Tom Odell is in for an exciting year with his alluring sound.
Lily Allen was the “friend of a friend” who heard Tom Odell play and then told him he had to meet her contacts at Columbia Records, according to The Sun online newspaper. And to that, we all should be grateful because it’s what made it possible to listen to this talented musician. But, when I read on Big Top 40 that Tom Odell is often compared with Jeff Buckley or Coldplay‘s Chris Martin, I stopped. Those are some tough and substantially-sized shoes to fill.
Big shoes… so, big feet?
But after hearing his single, “Another Love,” even I found myself making absurd comparisons. I heard so many different artist influences/likenesses. First, I heard a bit of My Chemical Romance‘s Gerard Way, followed by a bit of Radiohead‘s Thom Yorke a la “Creep” (no, as much as I am a fan of Tom, there is no way he is on the level of Radiohead, but you’ll hear what I mean), but then interjected with sensitivity of a song by The Fray or the Goo Goo Dolls. My instinct is to compare him with The Script, but I am willing to say Tom Odell may have the “X factor” that may eventually give him a niche of his own. I’m not saying right now that he does live up to those comparisons or the influences, but if he plays his cards right — who knows?! It’s a feat to me if you can evoke this kind of response with the release of one single!
Nasal voices usually repulse me
I may be overreaching in my hopes for Mr. Odell, I think it’s fair that the ladies may swoon — not for his looks, (sorry Tom!) — but for the rawness in his singing. He sounds so pained. Typically, I am not a fan of nasally voices — his is quite peculiar, and, as a result, irresistible.
Ever been unable to give your all to someone because you gave it all to someone else?
This is the song for you. I absolutely adore songs that address issues that aren’t given as much attention. Perhaps, you would find a different take on the meaning of the song — and do let me know what you think! — but it spoke to me in a way that I didn’t anticipate:
“I want to take you somewhere so you know I care,
But it’s so cold and I don’t know where.
So I pick you daffodils, in a pretty string,
But they won’t flower like they did last spring.”
The rest of the song discusses his fatigue with his past love and his desire to be there for the current love, but he just has lost the fire he once had. It had nothing to do with her, but more with his bad experience. You ever want to give your all to someone, but you just couldn’t move on from the hurt before? Or maybe you have been with someone who you were hopelessly devoted to, and they couldn’t break their walls down to let you in? Accompanied by thumping drums, a delicate piano, and an ominous harmony to kick in the chorus — it is such a profound song.
Press play, and find out for yourself if he lives up to the hype!
Photo courtesy of Lia Toby/WENN.com
For more music reviews, check out:
Rihanna feat. Mikky Ekko “Stay”
Christina Perri “Something About December”
One Direction “Little Things”
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