Album Notes

This album includes all lyrics and unique album artwork.


Review by San Diego Troubadour:
"How much of ourselves do we reveal to others? We may tell all we think we know, but we may have to look deeper and longer to know more about ourselves to reveal. On Amy Obenski's 11-song CD, What We Tell, she conveys a good deal about her past experiences and relationships, and her message of love rings loud and clear. A different approach in the arrangements and diversity of musical styles add color to help define that message. Topical songs such as "Arabian-American", which advises people of Arabic descent to be strong and to hold on through these times of adversity and anti-Semitism, remind me of Natalie Merchant and 10,000 Maniacs with her unusual writing style and treatment of controversial subjects. You acquire a taste as the music and lyrics mesh into one and grow on you.

On "My Baby", the vocal, aided by pennywhistle-sounding flute, helps create a visual of minstrels and troubadours with its traditional old English, Irish, and Celtic melody. "In the Air" is a metaphor for how it feels to be in a state of ambiguity, searching for middle ground while trying to discover yourself in a codependent relationship and to find something positive in this negative world. The aptly titled "Being Free" picks you up with its bouncy, Latin-flavored jazzy rhythm. The message here is somewhat paradoxical, illuminated by a Taoist understanding in its attempt to perceive the truth. On "Sandstorm", highlighted by lush vocal harmonies, and on "Waves of Moments", accompanied by a hypnotic ostinato guitar riff, the message is about being in the moment. We are reminded that always looking forward makes it difficult to attempt to catch "waves of moments"; we may have to accept the fact that the sweetness and satisfaction of life comes through memories.

On the last cut, "No Way to Know", the haunting piano melody with a Carole King feel, tells us to stop analyzing life. Let it go and give yourself up to love in order to feel the "hope within your heart". "