MICHELLE BRANCH
Branch felt compelled to explore her acoustic beginnings with Grammy Award winner John Leventhal (Shawn Colvin, Roseanne Cash) to create the title track "Hotel Paper," and risked the safe road by working with massive rock producer Josh Abraham (Staind, Korn) on a ballad no less-- that tested both of them. "We didn't set out to create a ballad but part of being creative includes being open to running with new ideas when they hit. This was one of those moments."
The record is full of those moments; timeless and bold music which makes the listener appreciate a body of work in lieu of labeling Branch's accomplishments and talent by pages of a calendar. And her persona has lent itself to that: Her history and success is celebrated for achieving popularity without succumbing to prefabricated pop. But the challenge continues.
"Comparisons are always going to be made, and no one can change that. But just because other young females release records after mine does not create a movement. I'm happy to be included in a movement. Just start with Stevie Nicks, throw in Sheryl Crow, and put me somewhere at the bottom of that."
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