Album Mini-review: Brooke Waggoner — Sweven
File Next to: Suzanne Vega, Zero 7, Penelope Houston
Waggoner may be an associate of Jack White, but with its tinkling keyboard and pizzicato strings, this expressionistic album feels more like downtempo heroes Zero 7 than The White Stripes. On her fourth full-length. the Nashville (by way of New Orleans) singer/songwriter displays impressive use of texture – musical light and shade – to produce a warm and inviting (yet decidedly insular) sonic landscape. While her earlier releases have been categorized as modern folk, on Sweven she rocks (check out the sultry, snaky vibe of the too-brief “Widow Maker”). The album synthesizes many musical styles into a unified and original whole. And Waggoner isn’t afraid to push disparate sonics up against one another: the chamber-room piano figures of “Egg Shells” are preceded by some vocal gibberish that suggests Twin Peaks‘ dancing midget. Every track on Sweven is a fully-formed and unique work.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4500-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.