Brooke Fraser — Albertine

Brooke Fraser
Albertine
Wood and Bone

by Al Kaufman

Brooke Fraser wants to change the world with her music. On the back of her CD she lists organizations that help fight against modern day slavery, sexual exploitation, poor communities, and mental sufferage for young women. The title cut, "Albertine," is the name of a teenage girl she met while visiting Rwanda after the country was nearly destroyed by genocide. She writes: "Albertine is alive today because of the selfless, sacrificial love of another. Funny thing is, so am I. And now I want to know what it’s like to love other people like that, so have decided to spend my whole life on the experiment. Feel free to join me. We might just change the world." See, I told you.

Fraser wants us all to believe in Jesus. He is the first person she thanks on her "Gratitude" list. Many of her songs are filled with Biblical imagery; some ("C.S. Lewis Song," "Faithful," "Hosea’s Life," and"Hymn,") more than others. The songs often literally swell and soar with hope, love, and faith.

  Fraser wants us to think she’s hot. From her barefooted, pouty-lipped, and heavily made-up cover shot, to her breathy vocals, she comes across as sexy as a wholesome Christian girl is able. "Lover, Where Is Your Fire?," with lines like "Some urge me to be moderate but lukewarm will never do," point to the penchant for at least a little naughtiness.

  Albertine has already gone platinum 13 times over in her native New Zealand, and has garnered seven #1 singles. Her combination of pop and folk, as well as a pristine voice that recalls Sarah McLachlan but also has enough twang to offer comparison to Aussie Kasey Chambers, seems to work. She means to come across as an intelligent believer, but her songs tend to be filled with the pablum that makes Christian rock so boring. "When I can’t hear you/I know you still hear every word I pray." Yes, it’s sincere, but that doesn’t make it sound any less banal.

Brooke Fraser plays Variety Playhouse (moved from The Five Spot due to unexpected demand) on Tuesday, August 12th. 8:30 pm. $13/$15 door.