This CD really has some great tracks and a blues/rock sound that I really got into! Emotional and raw lyrics and tunes that will get into you - you can feel the emotion. Just Awesome! This is not overproduced/overmarketed pop music - this is a REAL music CD!

Three tracks deep into Something Happened, "Peace of Mind" jolts to a start with a ricochet drum beat. Close behind, electric guitars bleat in accompaniment as Seela begins to sing: "Peace of mind, peace of mind, I've been doing fine without you here." Seemingly nothing special, a simple melody; but behind her, instruments mount a stealthy build, and seconds before the verse ends, the rhythm floor drops out as an inverted fill nails the start of a full band chorus. It's one of those perfect pop moments, one where everything falls into sync, one that delivers a hook you'll never get out of your head, and one that keeps you reaching for the disc. Something Happened is the second CD from this Canadian-born Austin resident. She and her band, particularly guitarist Darwin Smith and drummer Brannen Temple, treat her dramatic new material with flair. It's an ambitious yet uneven effort; quality varies between tracks, guitars step on vocals, and too much of the recording is dirge-slow. Yet the songs and the singer remain compelling and full of mystery. Play it again.

Effortless and so open, Seela wears her heart on her sleeve as she deals with various emotions and themes on her sophomore release, Something Happened , a relaxed, natural sounding record that is gentle in sound and plentiful in content. Seela's voice is so natural and honest. "Give Up" places a real soft and steady rhythm next to trickling guitars that bring all the emotions to the surface, all while Seela's voice speaks directly to your heart and soul in such a relaxed way, you can't help but feel every syllable that comes out of her mouth. "Peace of Mind" finds the rhythm section bouncing a bit more and Seela's voice more energetic, while the guitar buzz instead of trickle. Keeping the delicate touch while still proceeding into rock and pop territory, the song manages to deliver a poppy, hooky song that has the motor and grease to slide right into your ears and get stuck in your head. "Something Else" finds Seela delivering contemplative notes next to her sensitive noise. "Collided" spins your head with a little groove that gets you going and "Seed" has you melting at the sound of Seela's tender voice. "Forgiveness," "If I'm Wrong" and "Hero" are three more fine examples of what Seela is capable of. Delivering a thoughtful, well-rounded album that never slacks off or dulls, Something Happened makes you want to sit there and feel every word, note, and beat time and time again. I'll give it an A-.

Seela's voice knocks me out. She is so talented as a singer and a songwriter. Whereas the songs on her 1st CD, Probably Lucy, were just as good as these, the sonic palette here is more expressive. Lines like "There's bitter underneath the reason" from Peace of Mind and "We collided a billion years ago. What's before you now is the result of this" from Collided really draw the listener in. Buy this CD. You won't be disappointed.