Give Me a Reason for This Empty Silence

Brooke White it is. The reason I chose Brooke as my first review is she's pure, she's original, she's down to Earth, and she's one in a million.

Her sophomore album, 'High Hopes & Heartbreak' is an indie hit!

I honestly enjoyed every bit of music there is in the album

from the upbeat, vintage-y, dance-able first track (Radio Radio) to the really slow, deep and meaningful last track (Be Careful).

I was literally the first in line to get her record.

I went to target the first thing in the morning just to get it.

Yeah, it's that good.

I've been a Brooke White fan since she's in American Idol.

I fell in love with her ever since I saw her singing the Corrine Rae song.

I love how pure and mesmerizing she sound.

And the thing I like most about her is that she stays true to herself after all these crazy times she's been through. She's still the same Brooke I first saw at the audition, well, of course, now she's maybe better than before and more experienced.

So, moving on to the album.

(Click on title to listen to songs)

Radio Radio | A VERY enjoyable first track. It has a vintage and urban feel to it, tells us the cute story of a girl who depended on her radio all her life as it's one of her best friend. I really love the message in it. The song itself makes you wanna dance along with it (Ironically, the lyrics to the songs are: Make me dance, make me cry, make me fall in love....) From a catchy chorus, to the cute radio-like feel in the beginning and an unexpected yet (again) catchy bridge, this is a perfect song to listen to in any occasions (not being tacky, but refer to song lyrics). Definitely a stand out track from the album

Hold up My Heart | A perfect choice for a first single! One of the best song from the album, catchy chorus, catchy tune, catchy verse. A perfect prom song. It even got my mom singing along with it. Again, the song has a vintage and urban feel to it just like the previous track.

No wonder it's a commercial success (47 on billboard hot 100!) It's one of the few songs in the world which gives you a smile on your face that stays for long even after the song has stopped.

Out of the Ashes | A really peaceful song. If I must describe this song in a word, I would choose warm. I don't know why, it just feels right with the song. Although not as good as the previous tracks, (Radio Radio and Hold up My Heart) the song has a similar feel to the latter. It just makes you feel right and feel as if every thing is fine after listening to it.

However, there's a thing that bugs me about this song. In the chorus, Brooke should just sing it herself instead of having a backup singer with her. Her voice suits the soulful song well.

Phoenix | This song makes you feel really happy (blame it on the beat and tune) Makes you feel homesick if you're anywhere but home. It tells us how Brooke will stay true to herself and Phoenix even after her fame and success, she still misses her home as that's where she belongs.

When We Were One | One of my favorite. The song has a slight country twang in it. Very catchy and typical Brooke. Got me singing along with it on my first few listen. Amazing song with sweet lyrics in it. Another stand out. If this is released as a single, it's sure going to top an indie chart or something. All in all, amazing song. Although sound similar as Radio Radio, it's still original and .. just amazing .. 

Use Somebody | Definitely another stand out track. (Yeah, the album is THAT great) A cover of the hit single from the band 'Kings of Leon'. The cover is more folky and yes, vintage-y (I used this word a lot along with urban-ey) If you're a fan of indie music, this is arguably the best track from the record. Some would even consider it better than the original. Brooke outdone herself once again with this song. At first I heard of her covering the song, I was a little disappointed as I thought she'll be releasing her own stuff but I was sooo wrong! Way to go, Brooke! Another favorite from me. (and a whole lot more people I'm sure)

Smile | My favorite song. A stand out ballad. Really sweet, simple and amazing. A great song to listen to after Use Somebody, outdid herself once again. Definitely my favorite.

Love it, love it, love it, love it! Amazing beyond words!

While you listen to the song you could hear Brooke's emotion she put into it.

Very sad song, really emotional, once again, my favorite.

Little Bird | One of the cheery song on the album (along with Phoenix and California Song) Not really a stand out to me. But not a regular track either as it is unique and all. Vintage-y but not as the others good.

Great? nah. 

Bad NONONONONONO! NONE IS BAD.

So so. Maybe, it will grow into me?

we'll find out.

High Hopes & Heartbreak | Title track of the album. Have a disco feel to it amazing and keeps you dancing. (another track to dance to is Radio Radio) Definitely a stand out as it's really different from the rest of the album. I really really like it. 

Sometimes Love | Great song, amazing. Not 'Smile' amazing but still really good.

One of my favorite among my favorites. It's one of the songs where you will know you love it till forever from your first listen. Love it. 

And if you guys noticed, she redid her piano key in the beginning, a reference to the good ol' Idol days.

California Song | A quite of an upbeat song compared to the others.

My favorite track in the album, along with Smile. Will bring the widest smile on your face.

It has a catchy chorus, catchy verse catchy everything! I simply love it.

I'm hoping for her to make this a single.

I want her to do more of this song.

A great location to put the track at, near the end and before a slow song. Gives you the good feeling. Pure perfection.

Be Careful | The slowest most acoustic song in this record. A great way to end the album. Keeps your head flowing with the record. 

SO, all in all it's definitely one of the best albums of 2009.

Brooke never fails to impress me. 

I'm really excited on what else she's gonna do in the future.

I will always support you, Brooke! :)