Rachel Smith’s “Famous Secrets” features atmospheric effects over a base comprised of metronomic drums and minimalist piano, guitar and bass. In between these two worlds, Rachel’s raspy voice forms a bridge on which the listener stands and surveys a landscape as large as her native Canada. (In fact, the contrast between folk-like short melody, supported by simple chord structures, and otherworldly electronica is reflected in the oxymoronic title.) Her work invokes more than describes; it is sketch-work more than portraiture; sophistication expressed in a context of simplicity. Her gossamer melodies are delivered in a whisper occasionally spiced by sharp harmonic dissonance. There are many golden moments on this CD: the squeaking violin (cello?) sounds on “8th wonder” invokes the hollowness, the absence, the desertedness of the desert she depicts in the lyric; “55 Chevy” which sports a Costello reference and a road weary 6/8 meter; the ghosts of Crimson Kings haunting “Appetite” in the form of eerie mellotron strings that represent the double-minded itch of appetites that are satisfied only to return once more; the heavy reverb that suddenly grows like moss around the rim shot snare drum on “Unraveled” echoing the ghosts in the hall and the inescapable memories of which Rachel sings; the whimsy of the nursery rhyme instrumental, “Ducks”; the increasing reverb on the voice and the (overdubbed?) piano on “Requiem” that suggest the steady ascension of the soul through the aeons as it moves toward the place of everlasting rest; and “Bounty Hunter” is an enigma. Suzanne Vega’s “industrial folk” of the 1990s is perhaps the closest analog to Rachel’s “Famous Secrets”, but whereas New Yorker Vega has an urban sensibility, Rachel reflects small-town innocence – but not naiveté. Rachel’s flexible voice presents us with art song in a distinctly modern and accessible form. Her talent deserves wider recognition.

I love her style and have trouble not playing this CD over and over. She has such a unique and soul-ful style that she reminds me of a very soft version of Janis Joplin. She conveys a sound like a spiritual flute which goes deep and what a completely new voice and somehow quite timely, right on the new edge and a delightful discovery.

I love her style and have trouble not playing this CD over and over. She has such a unique and soul-ful style that she reminds me of a very soft version of Janis Joplin. She conveys a sound like a spiritual flute which goes deep and what a completely new voice and somehow quite timely, right on the new edge and a delightful discovery.

Famous Secrets is like vitamins for the soul. These songs are experimental and unique – and they are never cheese-ball. This cd doesn’t succumb to any of the clichés that are so prevalent these days – even on the independent music scene. These songs are the product of someone who is clearly her own person. They open doors in the heart in strange ways. What a gift and a pleasure.