Album Review: “Rockwell” by Anni Rossi

Artist: Anni Rossi
Album: Rockwell
Label: 4AD

Rockwell is a quiet album. The album is peaceful without being too atmospheric, vocal without being chatty. The album is like a Wikipedia of references — everything from Joanna Newsom to Ingrid Michaelson to Cat Power to Norah Jones.

“Air Is Nothing” is a sullen, jazz-sounding track. The song puts the listener in an enveloping trance. The simple strings do nothing but draw the listener in to Rossi’s delicate voice. With “Wheelpusher” one can imagine listening intently to the album with headphones on. “Living In Danger” draws more pop influences to the album. The song bounces along while the listener can’t help but do the same. “Deer Hunting Camp 17″ showcases the power in Rossi’s voice. During the track, listeners can hear every stretch of her vocal range. If you’re looking for an album to entertain you rather than be background music, Rockwell should more than suffice. For those who are interested in lyrics more than anything else, the album features relatable lyrics for everyday situations.