Collector’s Corner & Album Review: Tracy Bonham - ‘Lift’

Alt royalty Tracy Bonham is releasing ‘Lift’ this week. The album is a reimagining of her hit debut, ‘The Burdens of Being Upright’. Special thanks to Tracy Bonham, Reybee Inc., and American Laundromat Records for hooking us up with a copy!

Background

Tracy Bonham is a legend in alt music. Bonham is a twice Grammy nominated singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She’s been on the scene for over thirty years. Her 1996 debut The Burdens of Being Upright was nominated for two Grammys and an MTV Video Award and went gold in the US, Canada, and Australia. Her single “Mother, Mother” was the last song by a female solo artist to top the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart until Lorde did so with “Royals” back in 2013.

In the years since her debut, she’s dropped eight studio albums, had her work featured in movies such as Bridgette Jones’s Diary and Grosse Point Blank. She’s been featured on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Her music was recently featured on the hit showYellowjackets, as well as Grey’s Anatomy, Daria, Weeds, and Malcolm in the Middle. She’s shared the stage with the likes of Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, Ben Folds, Belly, and the Blue Man Group, just to name a few.

Bonham has long been a voice in the alternative scene. She was once labeled an “angry young woman” by MTV and was similarly labeled as such in an interview with Howard Stern. Of course we know such labels are reserved for women who refuse to be silenced by an industry that has an unfortunate history of chewing up and spitting out artists. Especially female ones. She’s a cancer survivor who underwent surgery and appeared on stage a month later. In short, I share this with you to highlight that Bonham is a badass and an advocate.

The Music

As I mentioned earlier, Lift is a reimagining of Bonham’s The Burdens of Being Upright. It has the tracks of the debut, in a different sequence, and also three bonus tracks that are an homage to where she’s come from and where she is now. With the new and reimagined tracks, Lift clocks in at fifteen songs.

There’s so much to love with this LP, from the jump, Bonham had me hooked with bone rattling guitar and dynamic vocal work. The screams on hit single “Mother Mother”, were great and even featured some additional background screamers. If I had to choose a favorite track on the album, it would have to be

“Kisses”. While it’s a bit more dialed back melodically, I love how the rhythm guitar pairs with Bonham’s vocals. Though I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention “One Hit Wonder”. The verses begin a bit subdued with Bohman’s vocals, paired along with a steady beat, that also includes some light keys and leads. It builds up a bit near the end then blends nicely into “Navy Bean” which immediately kicks the door in with distorted guitars and booming drums.

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The Vinyl

Lift comes pressed on a gorgeous baby blue vinyl. It includes some nice inserts that are in blue and pink. The album spins well on my table and these new versions play well both on vinyl and via stream. I gave the record a listen both on vinyl and via streaming promo. I will always choose a vinyl copy of a record over a stream. However, I have to say both sound great and were produced by Bonham’s longtime friend Ken Rich.

Final Verdict - If you’re a fan of nineties alt, or just great fast paced music, Bonham’s got a signature style that I think you’ll love. There is a reason she’s enjoyed so much success in this industry. Lift is a winner.

Rating - 8.5/10