A deliberately careful songwriter with an at times Dylanesque flair for unlikely rhymes (he matches "spokes" with "hoax," for instance, and mostly gets away with it), a certain Nick Drake-like fragility (due in large part to his voice, which is pitched high and sounds at times eerily like Billie Holiday), and a subtle African pop feel (he has Femi Kuti singing backing vocals on one of the songs here), Brett Dennen is certainly singular, and at his best, he catches a breezy, mellow groove that allows his thoughtful songs to truly shine. If there's a downside, it's that they all shine in almost exactly the same way, and over the course of an album, can start to feel like one big mellow song sung over and over again without a whole lot of variation. But when these songs work, they really work, and pieces like "Heaven," even though Dennen goes on about things like "the cloth of conviction," are strikingly effective. Other standouts on Hope for the Hopeless, his third album, include the Kuti track, "Make You Crazy" (which features Dennen's most perfectly soulful and spirited vocal yet), the easily likeable "World Keeps Turning," the impressive "Ain't Gonna Lose You" (where the spokes/hoax rhyme dwells), and the innocently positive and hopeful "Follow Your Heart," even though it sounds maybe too much like a second rewrite of Neil Young's "Heart of Gold" at times. Nothing here is less than pleasant, but the lyrics do get a little on the overwrought and ornate side in songs like "So Far from Me," where crows ravage a field of wheat while scarecrows know their own defeat etc., and if Dylan can get away with stuff like that because he's, well, Dylan, Dennen makes it all sound just a little too delicate and labored. Still, Hope for the Hopeless works more than it doesn't, and when it really clicks here, which is often enough, Dennen shows himself to be a unique voice and talent.
I was fortunate enough to catch Brett Dennen play early last year, and since then I've been looking forward to a new album from him. Well, my wait is finally over, as Hope For the Hopeless hits the shelves on the 21st. I haven't had a chance to check it out yet, but I have gotten hold of the first single from the album, Make You Crazy, which features Femi Kuti, and which you can listen to below...
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Here's a link to stream his new CD, Hope for the Hopeless
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Brett Dennen in the backyard of his house in Los Angeles. Practice footage of 'Make You Crazy' from his new album HOPE FOR THE HOPELESS. Performed in his backyard for 30 or so friends and loved ones 10-14-08. He can come and play in my backyard anytime....
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There have been many posts about Brett in the last weeks and I saw a post about this new video being released the other day... but it wasn't included in the post... Wot the???The video features guest appearances by Mandy Moore and Femi Kuti.Enjoy...
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I was at an Xavier Rudd Concert (my first of many) and we had gotten there late because my friend Amanda was running late... unfortunately we missed the 1st act, Brett. I heard later from a co worker who was there early that Brett really was awesome. I followed up on his music on the web and found that I too really liked his music..., great great lyrics with that acoustic style that really hits...
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I have not had a chance to absorb it yet but on first listen here's my favorite song so far. Brett is best when he is singing about the human condition be it a love song or a song about day to day struggles in life. He has a voice that reaches in and says, I'm one of you and you in an expression of mutual understanding, peace, and harmony with his listeners. I have seen him open for acts and a...
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I won't bore you again with the details, this guy is talented songwriter and muscian on my playlists multiple times. Get this single here
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There's a good chance that you've probably heard the music of folk-popster Brett Dennen and didn't even know it. Several of the California born and bred singer-songwriter's tunes have been featured in a number of television shows, including The Unit, House and Scrubs. Dennen, who has earned comparisons to Dave Matthews and Jack Johnson for [...]
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myspaceIt's not too often my musical world collides with the songs preferred my wife. Brett Dennen is one of the few common musicians we share - and is usually the common ground on road trips. So, hearing that he has a new record - Hope for the Hopeless - due out is certainly something worth mentioning.Long story short, Dennen was making home-schooled, Paul Simon/African influenced socially con...
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Well, we're still at it. Check out a feel good playlist from Linus below, and feel good! Make You Crazy (ft. Femi Kuti)- Brett Dennen Miss Magnolia- Matt Costa Lord, I've Been On Fire- BC Camplight We're The Trees- The A-Sides 27 Jennifers- Mike Doughty Be Gentle With Me- The Boy Least Likely To She Don't Use Jelly- Ben Folds Five Hello- The [...]
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The guys that run Lizard Lounge , NAU and Horny Toad all run pretty fun businesses and they really appreciate the artists that cross their paths. As a celebration of their affiliation and the musicians they have heard this year, they have created a 16-track compilation for free. The compilation features many folk and jazz focused bands which provide plenty of soul at ecery beat. Below we...
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I was fortunate enough to catch Brett Dennen play early last year, and since then I've been looking forward to a new album from him. Well, my wait is finally over, as Hope For the Hopeless hits the shelves on the 21st. I haven't had a chance to check it out yet, but I have gotten hold of the first single from the album, Make You Crazy, which features Femi Kuti, and which you can listen to below...
More >
Brett Dennen's third album, 'Hope for the Hopeless', is due out October 21 and will be followed by a 11 city mini tour, San Francisco included. The mini-tour is a return to the smaller venues Brett began playing just five years ago. Dennen and his full band are preparing a larger headlining tour for early 2009. Take [...]
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This guy is original and just plain great. He is incredible in concert and you just can't help but feel good after listening to his music.
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Brett Dennen, named by Rolling Stone as "One of the 10 Artists to Watch in 2008″, has made his new album, Hope for the Hopeless, available for pre-order through AmieStreet.com for $5. Starting today, October 14, you have two weeks to pre-order the album for just $5. For each album purchased, AmieStreet.com will donate $5 to the Mosaic Project, [...]
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| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
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| 1 San Francisco |
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| 2 Make You Crazy |
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| 3 Heaven |
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| 4 Closer to You |
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| 5 Wrong About Me |
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| 6 So Far from Me |
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| 7 When She's Gone |
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| 8 World Keeps Turning |
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| 9 Who Do You Think You Are? |
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| 10 Follow Your Heart |
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| 11 Ain't Gonna Lose You |
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Click to purchase…
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 "Hope for the Hopeless")
