Rachel Wagner
Roseville, California, United States
Music
Press
"Untold" is an album that's rich in layers and textures. Piano provides the prime building block for breathy, but clear, dream pop vocals to weave an intricate path around, occasionally there's a subtle bass undertone adding a different eddy for the darker songs to swirl around, but predominently this is an album of mellow voices and piano. Rachel Wagner seems to have found herself a niche between the Celtic flights of Enya and the dark whimsey of Tori Amos. It's an album that seems to absorb life's passing influences and turn them into ethereal whispers.
- FATEA magazine (UK)
Rachel Wagner - Untold
2011, Rachel Wagner
Roseville, California singer/songwriter Rachel Wagner has a reputation for putting listeners at ease. Wagner may take the stage in an auditorium or coffeehouse, but the atmosphere as if she’s sitting in your living room; telling stories to a good friend, guitar in hand. Wagner’s third album, Untold, features her sweet, breathy voice, her personal style, and winsome songs that walk the line between Sarah McLachlan, Enya and Joni Mitchell.
Wagner opens with "Untold", an ethereal ballad that nicely features her pretty, breathy soprano voice. The cascading vocal harmonies build the song into a lovely sonic experience. "Blackberries" is a song about thankfulness; this simple concept is explored in a complex arrangement that's pretty but certainly not what you might expect. "She" is a water color in sound; Wagner paints with a musical brush, layering vocal parts to create amazing sounds in a song about a dreamer and the power of pretend. "I Won't Be The One" is a lush, gorgeous statement of intent. Fans of early Sarah McLachlan will dig the ethereal nature and layered sounds Wagner uses here.
"Hide And Seek" is a swaying number about finally being found. Wagner's gorgeous arrangement builds the joy of the song like the blooming of a flower. On "Something Happens", Wagner explores a reticence to give herself over to love. When the breakthrough finally comes it is as a light, lilting theme; pretty and pure. Wagner ventures into the ether again for "Clean", before closing with the inspiring "Psalm 131". Wagner's melody and lead vocal are pure beauty. The interposing supporting vocals are a bit distracting however. It's clear what Wagner was trying to attain here, but the song would play much cleaner with just her lead and the present instrumentation.
Rachel Wagner shines on Untold. Even with a couple of mis-steps along the way, this is a very promising introduction to an artist who is a bit off the beaten path. Wagner's penchant for musical imagery is unusual, as she bends and shapes notes and passages as a sculptor might shape clay. Wagner's songs dance forth from a garden of beauty, capturing the essence and form of ideas that generally complement her lyrics very well. This is an exciting start.
- Wildy's World
Rachel Wagner--a local singer songwriter who specializes in the more introspective moments of daily life...her voice is lovely with just the right hint of breathiness...pleasant...wistful...perfect for a mellow day.
--Chris Macias - Sacramento Bee
Discography
Everyday Things--2006
When We're There I'll Let You Know--2008
Untold -- 2011
Morning Song (single) -- 2012
Photos
Bio
Rachel Wagner's music has been described as a mellow folk/popwistful, exposed and delicate. One reviewer writes of Rachels most recent recording: Rachel Wagner seems to have found herself a niche between the Celtic flights of Enya and the dark whimsy of Tori Amos. It's an album that seems to absorb life's passing influences and turn them into ethereal whispers. (FATEA magazine).
After recording two homegrown albums since 2004, 2011 has brought Rachel's third release entitled "Untold." Musically, Rachel's breathy yet clean vocals are intricately layered on top of instrumentation as simple as piano and bass. Another reviewer writes, "Wagner's penchant for musical imagery is unusual, as she bends and shapes notes and passages as a sculptor might shape clay." (Wildy Haskell - Wildy's World)
Rachel is known for delivering a genuine performance, creating an atmosphere in which her listeners feel as comfortable as if they were in her living room. Rachel admits that house concerts are her favorite venues and where she feels most comfortable. She states: "The intimacy of the house concert setting has always had a bit of magic in it." Recently Rachel has ventured into the world of video, releasing her first video song with the single "Morning Song."
(All three of Rachel's albums, including "Untold", can be streamed for free at her bandcamp site: www.rachelwagner.bandcamp.com )
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