Album Review: Norah Jones - "The Fall"

The Fall by Norah Jones

Norah Jones lives in a musical era that doesn't allow for her to really make any impact on Top 40 charts or get much time on the MTV-type music channels, but let us be happy that 4 albums on, she still seems like she doesn't care. Sure, there the were the fluke successes of 'Don't Know Why' and 'Come Away With Me', but since then, can anyone really name any other singles? "That song that plays in that scene in Love Actually" doesn't count.

With the fourth album, Jones hits her most obvious shift in musical style. While her albums have slowly progressed from the soft jazz piano sound of her debut, she has never veered too far from the proven formula. We now know that the first 3 albums are a trilogy; a slow evolution of sound, with Jones developing herself as a songwriter, with ther 3rd album being the first that she penned entirely herself. The Fall however, is a new story, or maybe only the beginning of a new one. With a new band, new producer, new haircut, Jones has a new sound.

Okay, so maybe not entirely new. Songs like 'Tell Yer Mama' and 'Man Of The Hour' are great reminders of why she's good, and tread very familiar ground musically, but as one listens to each track, it becomes more and more obvious that this album was meant to sound different. The surprisingly pop keyboard sounds of 'Chasing Pirates' opens the album, and gives an idea to new directions. The drums are more prominent, there are craploads of different keyboard sounds, electric guitar, and even a song where all the vocals are double-tracked. "Even Though" slows it down a bit, but is carried by a strong bassline (how many times does that happen in a Norah Jones song), and is a brilliant showcase of her voice. The rest of the album is just as good, and gems like 'Young Blood' and 'It's Gonna Be' are worth purchasing the whole album for (unless you steal and feel no remorse. tsk tsk. no good.)

Lyrically, this album is mostly about relationships; their joys and pitfalls, beginnings and ends. Nothing crazy different from previous albums, but her songs are more musical this time round, and therefore the lyrics fit more to the melodies of her songs. I suspect she was more interested with the sound with this album, more so than before, but the pictures she paints with her words don't take a hit for it. And as if to hammer the point home, she sounds better than ever.

This isn't album of the year, nor will it be the album that finally gets haters to listen to her. But for those who are fans, or even those who enjoy the occasional single, this is a really really good album. Few artists these days are pure artists. By that I mean someone who writes their own songs, sounds just as good live, and doesn't care how well it sells or high it charts. Oh, and also writes good songs. I actually make time to sit down and listen to Norah Jones, and imagine a world with no auto-tune. A world where rap is represented by those with true genius and wordplay. A world where people have never heard of a Justin Bieber. Where not all rock sounds like either Nickelback or The Fray. One where Kanye never touched Auto-tune, and 'Good Ass Job' came right after 'Graduation'. And Radiohead was... no, scratch that, I wouldn't change anything they did at all.

Same goes for Norah Jones.