Abbie Barrett

Normally I don’t review three-song releases ... but this one is pretty compelling. The band trades in what is best described as singer-songwriter numbers (composed by the singer) delivered in a rocking fashion. “On the Range” sounds like Ennio Morricone crossed with A Camp, and the winsome “Draw Me In” sounds like an outtake fromPink Floyd’s Obscured by Clouds (albeit with female vocals). Here’s looking forward to Volume II.—Bill Kopp - Musoscribe

Abbie Barrett & The Last Date give us a dreamy, Pink Floydesque ballad in the shape of Draw Me In, a track on their new EP, The Triples Volume 1. - The Mad Mackerel

Barrett does it without cliches, a tinge of smoke in her soaring voice adding a plaintive edge to her country and vintage soul-inflected rock songs. - Lucid Culture

Her sound is a wonderful dichotomy of sound and lyric...Her song writing process is more of journey than a scientific equation. - The Examiner

Barrett has the cautious heart of Joni Mitchell and/or Nick Drake and the thick-skinned creativity of Tori Amos. - The Deli Magazine

January 14 and November 21, 2008: Abbie Barrett was the featured "Homegrown" artist on WXRV The River. - WXRV The River

Featured in American Songwriter Magazine's "Lyricist Spotlight," March/April 08. Received an honorable mention for her song "Train." - American Songwriter Magazine

Received runner up for the Best Female Artist in 2008. Included on the IAMA's 4th annual compilation CD.

- IAMA

March 27, 2008
Erik Ziedses des Plantes
Local Music Week

How many different ways can you stretch the "solo artist with a guitar" characterization? Abbie Barrett seems determined to find out.

Accompanied by a second guitar player, Barrett's in-studio session made the fact that she's only been writing music for two years, and only performing for one, that much more unbelievable. Instead of running a straight line in folk territory, Barrett's songs vary in tempo, feel, and almost genre.

Currently supporting a 4 song EP, Barrett kicked things off with "Dying Day," a low key acoustic tune characterized by dual fingerpicking and Barrett's lush vocals, which contain slight echoes of female singers such as Natalie Merchant.

"The EP is just sort of a prequel to the full length, which will probably have those four songs, in addition to eight others," says Barrett.

Totally contrasting the somber "Dying Day," is "Got A Little Light," which glides along at a more upbeat pace. Taking Barrett's aesthetic of experimentation even further is her self-described "road rage anthem" entitled "Bang." Over strutting and stuttering guitar parts, Barrett delivers her most theatrical vocal yet. The recorded version of the song features noisy, caterwauling keyboard parts that add to the high drama, but the strictly guitar version allows Barrett to focus more detail on her vocals, as the song rips into a breakdown that comes as close to hardcore as acoustic folk-ish stuff has probably ever come.

If Abbie Barrett ever decides to visit WERS again in the future, it will be downright mind boggling to hear what she will have come up with. Critics could call her naive, due to her admitted lack of songwriting experience, but the word everybody should be looking for is brave. Barrett seems completely unafraid to tackle genres far out of what is expected of her, and this will undoubtedly reap benefits in the future.



- WERS 88.9

The record may be called Dying Day, but New Englander Abbie Barrett’s debut is brimming with life. Charming lyrics waltz on a bed of acoustic-based gypsy swing. Instruments include electric guitar, piano, tambourine and a banjo that is positively jaunty. Many songs sport tempo changes (“Start a Fire”) or rubato sections (“Stillborn”) that allow for plenty of breathing room.

Barrett’s stories are equally vivacious. “Disappointing You” is a liberation anthem about a woman who is finally breaking out of an oppressive relationship: “Back off, she’s gonna blow / Getting tired of doing what she’s told.” “Train” chugs along with the mystery and suspense of an Agatha Christie novel: “I don’t mention as we’re boarding / This train has no brakes.” Overall, Dying Day is a stellar first release and the launch of a sure-to-be long and healthy career. —MW - Mare Wakefield

Barrett is refreshing, a bright light among others of her genre. This is evident through compelling vocals, ever-changing chord progressions and spontaneous melodies...All in all, Barrett's diversity keeps me guessing...and I like it. - Julia DeStefano