Fencing Under Fire

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I normally don't write reviews, but I wanted to tell anyone who is thinking about buying this album to do so immediately. You will not be disappointed! I have been listening to it for a year since I first saw her live and I haven't stopped listening. She is an amazing talent, both as a singer and a songwriter. I keep waiting for her to make it really big so I can say I knew about her when and saw her live at all these small venues. But in the meantime, I'll enjoy this far too well kept of a secret and so will anyone who is smart enough to buy her albums or to see her live.

I recently had the pleasure to see Patrice live in San Diego, then Northern California. She is an an amazing talent, plus human being. Fencing Under Fire is an amazing album. Patrice writes all of the songs on this album. The songs are many stories that she has experienced throughout her life journies. Every song on the album is worth listening to over and over. Dominiqe is a great mellow song that was based on a character from a book. Angels, probably the best track on the album.. Patrice stands alone a a unique singer songwriter. I highly reccomend anyone who purchases this album, to check her out live.

With the breakup of Sister 7 and being dropped by Arista, Patrice formed Blackbox Rebellion and started her own record company. (Interesting fact: Patrice was a classmate of Erykah Badu.) The CD cooks on most tracks. "Jackknife Girl" is a sassy track with great punch. "Ms. Ramona" sounds like a renegade Patti Smith track from her heyday with a ripping electric lead guitar, "At least I'm living with a soul that rips the truth from heaven's lining." "Sweet November" has a softer feel with a pretty melody, "Oh wind, you blow me to my knees; Helpless rush of these memories." My favorite track that is riding high in my personal top ten is "Me & Smooth." Its bubbly rhythm moves so fluidly that it almost percolates, punctuated by the expansive chorus, "I could do everything, but without this love it would not mean a thing; so I'm coming home." "All My Love" has a sassy swagger. The CD concludes with the eerie stateliness of "Volcanoes." Although a couple tracks are slower and don't grab me as much, the high points here are ones not to miss. Cookin'!

If you've enjoyed any of Patrice's previous work in Little Sister or Sister Seven - get ready for something different and even BETTER. Freed of the shackles of the "corporate machine" and self-producing this album - Patrice and her band "The Black Box Rebellion" have reached new heights of musical freedom. These are not "run of the mill" songs with trite/catchy little lyrics but rather heartfelt feelings and emotions "set to music". You can feel the energy and the songwriting process as Patrice delivers "Sweet November" or "Wreckage". This is not a CD with one or two good songs...THE WHOLE ALBUM DELIVERS!JOIN THE REBELLION...

I just saw her live in Austin, and her show is absolutely amazing. I plan on seeing her as many times as possible. It is a great album, I love every song (Which is quite rare for my picky tastes). But it immediately, and if you live in Texas look out for her, she is sooooooo amazing.

I love this cd. I hadn't bought any new music for about 2 years, but when I heard this cd, I had to go out and buy it for myself immediately. It is the best new music I've heard in a long time.

Excellent songwriting, superb musicianship - definitely worth buying and listening to over and over!