Corinne Cook’s Dressed Up For Goodbye
URL: https://www.corinnecook.com/
Corinne Cook’s Dressed Up For Goodbye was released in December 2015 and reflects on different experiences from the singer’s life.
The first track on the album is titled “Little Miss Understanding” and begins with the singer discovering about the betrayal of a lover, although there’s nothing to be heartbroken over. The music is upbeat and the mood of the song is fun. However, the lyrics and music don’t really tie together making you not quite sure what to feel. It is followed by the traditional country song “Who”, which is a far cry from the chipper “Little Miss Understanding”. The singer croons here in the memory of an ex-lover and his drinking habit, hinting at leftover feelings. Unfortunately, the overall song doesn’t feel quite complete, making it hard for anyone to sympathize with the former lover’s drinking preferences.
The title track “Dressed Up For Goodbye” is mellow from the very beginning and describes actions that are without any feelings. The song has a certain edge to it but is predictable in itself. Corinne, however, begins to show some potential. “He Loves Her Like Crazy” is a rendition of domestic abuse but is misleading in its mood. The powerful strums of guitar fool you into believing that an abuser’s love is earnest, despite the universal proof of the exact opposite. It’s a hard-hitting song that may confuse some people in its meaning. Next in line is “Dirty Little Secret” that might as well be a sister-track to “Little Miss Understanding”. Other than having the same undercurrent and mood to it, the lyrics are about cutting ties with someone who doesn’t treat you well. It is your classic run-of-the-mill song about being independent that doesn’t quite make you feel anything.
“I Don’t” features guest vocals by Paul Scott and has a soothing vibe to it. Minimal in use of instruments, it’s about two people being in love with one another but making no confessions of it for the fear of their love being unrequited. It’s a song that unleashes Corinne’s true potential with powerhouse vocals and might resonate with a lot of people. Succeeded by another great song, “Fall Apart” reminds you that it is OK to not be OK sometimes. It is a powerful song with heartfelt lyrics that might even move you to tears.
“Turning Off The World”, which is an upbeat pop song that would fine a definite place in every mother’s playlist. It talks about the stressful life lead by many, if not most, mothers. If there isn’t already an anthem good enough for mothers out there, this might be it. Followed by a polar opposite, “Lord Have Mercy” begins and continues with the sound of a church organ that sets a defined mood. This powerful ballad is full with a story in strong vocals that would make you get up and applaud Cook. The mood, though, quickly dissipates as the first notes of “Long Before Goodbye” start playing. The song is generic with its yearning and longing. The vocals have feelings in them but the music and lyrics fall flat. “Cowboy” is what you’d expect from the title: a traditional country ballad that reflects upon the life of a cowboy. It’s a genuine song that speaks words of encouragement and is positive in its outlook. The final track on the album is“I Don’t (band)”, a more dressed-up version of the previously minimalist I Don’t. The song is what you’d expect and is almost as good as the original.
The album is a rollercoaster ride with its highs and lows. Dressed Up For Goodbye is incohesive and inconsistent as a whole but has a few songs on it that standout. It reiterates the idiom “don’t judge a book by its cover”, or even the first few pages.
https://www.instagram.com/corinne.cook/
Rickard Carter