Flowers, Rachel: Bigger On The Inside

I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve heard the name Rachel Flowers, but this is the first I am hearing her music. Flowers lost her eyesight as an infant due to Retinopathy of Prematurity, and began showing an interest in music at the age of two. By the age of four she became a student at the Southern California Conservatory of music. Flowers is a multi-instrumentalist and composer and plays everything you hear on Bigger On The Inside. She is classically trained on flute, and plays guitar, bass, saxophone, and Chapman Stick.

Flowers music contains many elements, we are treated to the rocking instrumental “A B� to open the album, and right away you hear her guitar and bass playing are on par with her keyboard skills. Normally with one man bands, there is something that stands out as a weakness, but not with Flowers. The songs, playing, and singing are excellent throughout. “Take Me Away� has elements of a prog epic, and other times sounds like it could be used in a Disney movie (I mean this in a good way), catchy melodies and very well-orchestrated. The song has many movements, and features more tasteful guitar and keyboard soloing. “Too Much� is a moody, atmospheric, and builds to an emotional rocking conclusion, with excellent vocal harmonies. “Love Today� shows of the pop side of Flowers, and has a transition into the solo that sounds straight out of the Beatles songbook, and along with “Beautiful Dream� and “With You� I’m convinced she could get radio play with these tracks. “This is The Way I Am� is another catchy track, lots of keyboards and piano can be found here, with a killer organ solo. “The Darkness� clocks in a 10+ minutes, and has a little bit of everything that has been discussed, orchestral, melodic, and well placed solo spots. “Feel� rings of Todd Rundgren with Flowers keyboard and guitar playing are front and center. Wonderful musical moments are found on this track, it is 11+ minutes of excellent music.

Flowers strength is her sense of melody; all the songs have a way of reeling you in with catchy hooks, and hold your interest with the musicianship and sense of adventure. The songs change often, yet never get lost or showy, everything works together. I could see Flowers someday scoring a movie soundtrack, her music definitely has that element, but it is time to explore the catalogue of this gifted musician.

Track List:
1. A B
2. Take Me Away
3. Too Much
4. Love Today
5. This is the Way I Am
6. The Darkness
7. Feel
8. Beautiful Dream
9. With You

Added: February 27th 2022
Reviewer: Eric Porter
Score:
Related Link: Artist Website
Hits: 878
Language: english

[ Printer Friendly Page ]
[ Send to a Friend ]