Stacy Clark's "Connect the Dots," out Aug. 10, 2010 on Vanguard.
With the success of her upbeat debut album, “Apples and Oranges,” Stacy Clark marked her spot in the indie-pop music world, but her sophomore album, “Connect the Dots,” allows her deeper side shine.
By basically spilling her heart into her inspirational music, Clark gives all age groups something to relate to. She has definitely hit the target on this one.
Through 12 tracks, Clark takes listeners through a slightly disheartening journey of love stories gone wrong, loss of hope, and confusing relationships, as the title “Connect the Dots” may suggest. This piano laden album is mostly slow melodies, while occasionally lightening the mood with some upbeat electric guitar, trombone, banjo and tambourine.
The album starts with prominent piano notes drifting upscale and back down in the album opener “Not Enough.” Mixing a toe-tapping beat with a catchy chorus, Clark sings: “I did the best that I can / And I am not enough for you to love / Now you’re all alone / and it’s time to grow up.”
“Not Enough” is a quick little track that definitely sets the tone for the rest of the album.
Toning it down a notch, Clark slows into “All Time Low,” giving a taste of her inspirational story of a difficult breakup and attempting to move on. Picking back up with what should be the hit single of the whole album, “White Lies” is a fun, bubbly song that, on the other hand, is about cheating and telling: “White lies / Do you think I’m a fool? / Shame on you once, shame on me twice / For trusting, trusting.”
What makes Clark’s new album work is that she takes listeners through a musical story of her own life and experiences. She is a friend in “Hold On,” giving encouraging advice to “Hold on / Be Strong / Don’t give up.” On an even deeper level, Clark describes struggles with drug abuse, losing her innocence and depression in “Misery.”
This album captures listeners with its raw, powerful lyrics, piano-fueled melodies and inspirational stories; something only a genuinely honest artist can achieve, seen in the way Clark sings: “I wear my heart on my sleeve; it’s just me and my guitar.”
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Lindsay DeSantis at Lindsay.desantis@colorado.edu.
