Anaïs Mitchell
The Brightness
(Righteous Babe) 2/13/07

If there’s one thing that can be said for Ani DiFranco, it’s that she’s got an ear for talent. The latest artist to be signed to DiFranco’s ever-growing Righteous Babe Records label is Anaïs Mitchell, a singer-songwriter with two previous CDs to her credit but little mainstream exposure. Signing to the indie-based Righteous Babe may do little to change that, but Mitchell is sure to reach a bigger audience with The Brightness, a gem of an album that showcases her lovely melodies and soft, little-girl voice. The latter is the first thing that stands out. A gentle combination of Malvina “Little Boxes” Reynolds and Victoria Williams, it evokes images of a lovestruck schoolgirl given to strumming her guitar and writing poetic songs of lost love while sitting by the bank of a willow-laden stream. But don’t let allusions to Anne of Green Gables put you off. Mitchell’s music is certainly adult-ready, often dealing with universally mature themes. Album opener “Your Fonder Heart” is a gentle study of unsure love (“Come out, come inspired/You will not come to harm/If I cannot take you for a liar or a lover/I’ll take you as my brother in arms”), while the gorgeous “Changer” tackles the aftermath of a breakup (“If I can’t keep it/At least let me call it by name/That was called falling, this is called pain/It’s called love, what I’m losing”). The rest of the record falls into similar territory, whether depicting broken-hearted sorrow (“Shenandoah”), examining the comforts of Christianity and hope (“Song of the Magi”) or offering solace to a tortured soul (“Hobo’s Lullaby”). The songwriting is sure and steady, and Mitchell’s earnest delivery of her material is sweet without being saccharine. Those who long for up-tempo tunes may find fault with Mitchell’s fondness for balladry, but anyone who appreciates good storytelling set to spirited music will find a kindred spirit in Anaïs Mitchell.

~ Ken Knox

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