Seien Sie Gut

Part Deux of Be OK is here.

"The Chain" is still on repeat. Let me just add one more post-it note to that track. The last minute and twenty seconds consists of a three-part round, as that is probably apparent if you saw the YouTube clip yesterday. It's so haunting. In a very strange way, the second half of the song reminds me of a contemporary, secular Gregorian chant. That may be bold to say, but the melody is so slippery..."The Chain" and Gregorian chants radiate that same feeling of mysterious beauty.

"Lady In Spain" is one track that I cannot decide fully how I feel about it. The beginning and the end are whispering you to sleep. I do love her impression of a trumpet during the instrumental. It's so cute, I can't even handle it. Although it's not one of my favorites, it's pretty and decent.

"Oh What A Day" is simply lovely, and is as smooth as marble. It's about basking in independence, which I can definitely relate to lately.

"Can't Help Falling In Love With You" reminds me so much of Greg Laswell's cover of "Girls Just Want To Have Fun". The songs themselves are so happy, but both artists perform them in a way that makes you want to shed a tear or two.

"You And I" defines Ingrid Michaelson as an artist. Her lyrics on this track put a spotlight on who she is: a fun, bubbly, adventurous, creative little chica. Her serious, melancholy side is missing, but the album together makes that apparent.

I was disappointed about how many covers and previously released songs were on Be OK. I was looking forward to a whole sleuth of new stuff, but it fell short. No doubt it's good, I just felt like less effort was put into this album for some reason. Oh well. It's different, and I can live with that. Go Ingrid!!

Title: "Be OK" in German
In My Head: "Be Be Your Love" by Rachel Yamagata