SHANNON WRIGHT Issue #32

Let in the Light

By Rebekah Meek
Published: June 1st, 2007 | 12:00am

Shannon Wright is one of the most consistent musicians of recent history. And while she may have quelled her caterwauling voice on her latest release, Let in the Light, her songwriting is just as potent as ever. In fact, this record exemplifies her evolution as a musician, and shifts focus to Wright’s self-taught piano playing — an instrument that lends itself to softer compositions than on her previous releases.

Perhaps it’s her recent collaboration with Yann Tiersen (of Amélie fame), but the tone of this record is brighter, a sharp juxtaposition to her signature lovelorn lyrics. These songs describe simple, straightforward moments, but still allow the listener to collect the fragments to spell out their own version of the story. Wright artfully frames a scene and leaves the rest up to interpretation.

The fully orchestrated closer “Everybody’s Got Their Own Part to Play” is the highlight of Let in the Light. It is unlike any of Wright’s other compositions and even has a hint of John Lennon in its melody. But at closer inspection, this is not the upbeat response to the opening track “Defy This Love.” As she croons, “What’s it like / When everybody says you ain’t trying / Oh, the faithful heart / Is when we start / With these trying things,” she’s letting it be known that this is still just the beginning.