Review – Trip to Horizon
The female singer/songwriter torch has been passed to Erin O’Bryan.
In the new millennium, Erin has worked the hard way to create a huge voice for the new female generation. In the tradition of singer/songwriters Carly Simon, Alanis Morrisette, Sheryl Crow, and Liz Phair, Erin has worked her way through the clubs and bars to the main stage, and proves that a woman can still have a huge impact on the rock scene.
Her songs resonate with a sweet yet harsh sound that can be enjoyed by rock and pop fans alike. Her new album, “Trip to Horizon”, affirms that, with such songs as “Johnny Depp” and “Yard Cow.” Her guitar rings fierce, and her songs speak to those teenagers and twenty-somethings disillusioned in the new millennium of instant pop stars and unrealistic image, as is told in the song “Little Superstar”.
I highly recommend you listen to this album, because in the world of music today, it’s rare to find such a pure talent like Erin O’Bryan. And the album is as raw and pure as she is.
MarQ Piocos, host
“Somewhere in Vegas” on Blog Talk Radio
Review: Trip to Horizon
erin o’bryan
erin has to be an angel sent from heaven with her god gifted talent. if this was a dream i was listening to, id never want to wake up!!!!! a truely heart warming, gifted singer/songwriter that writes and sings from a truely special place and thats her heart! every song has a story to it that everyone in this world can relate to in our lives, be it happy or sad, its a voice of a true musical genius that can touch the hearts of all.erin is bar far one of the most gifted talented genius’ that this music industry has seen in decades. this maybe one of the rarest talents we will ever see in our lifetime’s. erins vocal range veers from mellow and calming to a soaring exuberance with all the grace and poise you could ever wish for. this is the voice of a star that can shine brighter than the sun and i know erin will take this music industry by storm and make this crazy industry realise what a talent erin is and sign her up and make erin a top 10 hit! im dreaming of the day when i see erin in the chart’s and this is dream that will come true i can feel it in my heart! god bless erin, your one of a kind. good luck xx
reese (diablo) gentle – leeds music scene
“Her influences range from Joni Mitchell to Jewel, but Erin O’Bryan has a style all her own.
Opening with a driving title track, O’Bryan draws you into her world and has you hanging on her every word. She slows down the pace on “Falling From Grace,” a song with some particularly lovely lyrics.
One of my favourite tracks is “Plain Girl,” which gives pride of place to her voice on a piece that is not over-produced. The sentiments of the song are very down to earth and personal, although O’Bryan looks far from plain on the insert. As with all the best of folk, contemporary or traditional, there is social comment in the lyrics. This comes across very well on “Mansions in the Sky.” “Sweet Angel” is another excellent song that bears repeated listening.
If I were to pick a track for radio play it would be “No One Knows Why.” Here we get to hear her sweet voice with just the right amount of an edge.
In 11 tracks, O’Bryan has provided a showcase of her writing and performing talent. Here you get a cross section of styles and heartfelt lyrics that cannot be ignored. This is an album to seek out.”
Rambles
written by Nicky Rossiter
May 1, 2004
“I think that one of Southern California ‘s greatest treasures is the female singer-songwriter. I have always wanted to fall in love with a songwriter, who could have me cry at the honesty of their lyrics and have me smile when I know that the song has some sort of meaning that applies to me.
With that being said, I think Erin O’Bryan is right up there with Brooke Ramel and Cindy Alexander when it comes to being ABSOLUTELY mesmerizing with her voice.
With a voice that oozes love and grace, O’Bryan makes me fall in love with her and her honesty in track one, WALK WITH THE SAINTS. FALLING FROM GRACE is another badge of honesty, with a Jewel-like vocal. The honesty in her lyrics is a quality which I think she has an advantage over the other mentioned artists.
O’Bryan will always have a special place in my heart, with this CD keeping my hope alive I can one day marry my singer-songwriter…….Absolutely beautiful!!!!!”
Grade: A
Live Magazine
written by Jason Martinez
Northwest Woman
A Trip To Horizon – by Rick Rome
Recently, I got to meet an extraordinary person and great talent. Her name is Erin O’Bryan. Erin grew up in Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village, where she attended Westlake High School, and is now on the road to stardom. O’Bryan has been performing at some of the same notable venues as: No Doubt, Sheryl Crow and Ashlee Simpson. During our conversation, I found out she will be releasing her second album called “Trip To Horizon”. “I’m very excited about this album..So many great people were involved in its making, such as Jamie Muhoberac, who is featured on many of the most successful, Grammy winning records of all time. It is truly an honor to have such incredibly talented musicians involved. The result is a record with a great roots-rock vibe to it” says Erin.
“I cannot wait to take this album on tour sometime in 2008.” She continues, I want to go to so many places, starting with the northwest, to revisit some of the most memorable for me and my husband, Chris. One of my favorite places is north of Medford, Oregon in a wonderful town called Shady Cove. It’s so beautiful there, with the Rogue River running through it. We fell so in love with it that my husband and I are actually looking at vacation property there”. Also, I miss Coer d’Alene, where Chris and I spent our honeymoon and met a lot of nice people, and just got to enjoy nature’s true beauty.” “We were there in late fall and got to see all the beautiful colors and even enjoyed some early snow at Glacier National Park in Montana”.
While talking, I could feel the calm sense of self she was feeling. “I just recently finished one of my favorite songs on the album a few days ago…and I nailed it! It came out exactly the way I felt it, back when I wrote it.” The song she is talking about is “Trip to Horizon”. “That is one of the reasons why I have decided to name this album after that song,” says Erin. She continues, “Originally, I had a different name in mind, but after this song went into production, I knew I had to change the title of my album. It has a very roots-rock feeling about it and it definitely sets the whole tone for the record.”
In “Trip to Horizon”, O’Bryan covers many subjects. She sings about love, perserverance and personal freedom with equal ease. She visits the past and comes to the present, like in the song, “Johnny Depp”. Her openness of emotion defines her lyrics and when you listen to her voice, you can feel every note and every thought behind the lyrics. “It’s a bit different from the last album. That’s for sure. It has a rough around the edges feel to it. In the last album, “Walk with the Saints”, it had an easier mood that was more folk rock, as opposed to straight on rock. This time, I felt I needed to show more of my soul and come at you more directly. I like vintage rock, that’s what I am about and this album reflects it…” says O’Bryan, with confidence.
“Vintage” is one of my new songs on the upcoming album that really takes me back to what music has meant to me. In this song, I want you to get a feel of the rocker’s nostalagia”. Her curiousity into the 70′s era is well expressed and very modernly put together for everyone to enjoy. O’Bryan says, “I want to relate to a wide range of fans. That is one of the reasons I wrote “Johnny Depp”. “Even though the song is not about him per se, I thing his demeanor is so classical. He is so unique, yet you can relate to him in any time period. It’s that accessibility that I hope people will take away from “Trip to Horizon”. “Besides, as one of my lyrics says, ‘I wish I was pretty as Johnny Depp’. It’s not so bad how easy he is on the eyes…” she laughs.
