Rachel Williams - Lonely At The Bottom

by Chuck Dauphin

I have lost count as to how many albums I have reviewed over the past seven years.  When it comes to independent (or for that matter, major) labels and new artists, you usually have to grade on a curve.  Usually, there will be something you have to overlook.  Either the vocal won’t be mixed together with the instrumentation, or the lyrics will be strong…but the vocal won’t…..That is not the case with Rachel Williams. 

There haven’t been many instances of an artist being 100% ready for the big time with their first release, but trust me….Rachel Williams is one of those stories just waiting to happen.  There is nothing second-rate, or nothing that she has to apologize for on this album.  As the current hip phrase says, “It’s all good!”

Whether it be heavy emotion, heartbreak or sass, you’ll find an attitude for your liking here.  She starts off with the latter on the sarcastic “That’s Why I Picked This Guitar.” By the time she gets to the chorus off this kiss-off song to a would-be lover, you know that a star is born! There’s other showcases for her talents, as well, like on the lifting “How Does It Feel,” which features some nice guitar work from Danny Parks and Derek Wells.  Still, though, there is no doubt who is front and center. 

With performances ranging from the raspy style of “Something Worth Saving” to the traditional style of “The Only Thing Harder Than Leaving,” there’s a little something for everyone here.  As far as being radio-ready, she could go straight to the airwaves with any of these cuts, but “Final Goodbye” and “On My Way To You” simply need to be mailed to the stations.  My personal favorites are the Rondstadt-ish “Uphill” and the dark and moody sound of “Kill Me In The Morning.” I could keep writing…..but I would probably run out of adjectives….Rachel Williams is just good….period!