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Don’t Look Away from Kate Voegele
By: Ccep J. Dew
westcoasteditor@eXcapethematriX.com
On the popular CW series “One Tree Hill”, Kate Voegele’s character Mia leaves the comfort of hiding in the background and makes her mark as an amazing newcomer to the music scene. In real life, Kate Voegele makes the same impression with her debut album Don’t Look Away.
“No Good” is the song that initially made me run out to purchase this album. When Kate performed it on “One Tree Hill”, I just fell in love with her mature, yet innocent sound. On the track, she admits to a love obsession while trying desperately to run from it. With guitar in hand, she belted out, “I’m moving in reverse. Undo your mighty curse. I hate myself for loving you! I turn my head away, but my heart will remain ‘til the day I learn you’re no good for me.”
“I wanna hate you ‘cause you don’t give me no conviction. You’re determined to make this breakdown no trouble at all. So, let the rubble fall…”
-“Chicago”
Kate introduced herself to the world with a livened melody that hopes to rekindle a love that will never reignite. It’s no wonder why her debut single is titled “Only Fooling Myself” with lyrics such as, “Now it’s etched in stone that I can’t survive alone. You have the missing piece that I need so desperately as I slip away to day that’ll never come. It’s like a splash of water to my face. But, I suddenly realize that you will never find a place for me in your eyes…”
Opening the album is “Chicago”, a guitar-based track that proclaims closure from a love that wasn’t returned. Kate sings, “Well, didn’t I think you would always love me and I didn’t I want you to take care of me, baby? Well, that ain’t happening! Wouldn’t I love just to rise above this? You’ve gotta believe I’ve suffered enough to be free. So, I’m officially leaving—just a kiss on the cheek—and I’m gone. I’ll be on the seven o’clock…The seven o’clock to Chicago.”
“I Get It” is carried by the piano, drums, and guitar, as Kate exclaims, “Well, well, baby…We’re through, you know? You turned the tables on me didn’t you? My, my, my… It only serves me right. Now, I get it… This is how hurt feels…and it’s everything you say it is.”
My favorite track—and my new theme song—is “Top Of The World”, a sarcastic anthem for those who have ever felt crushed by someone else’s ego and pride. In the car, I can’t help but turn the music up and sing at the top of my lungs, “You’re on top of the world and I’m just waiting, making up your excuses. You say that love’s tough. Are you sure? Ain’t it just a piece of cake to make me look like a fool? You’re on top of the world if you’re thinking I’ve been blinking while you’re breaking the rules. Don’t that make you the fool? You’re on top of the world.”
“I hope I’ve lost enough to win you back your prize...To get you up sky-high and get your pride back to it’s familiar place…”
-“On Top Of The World”
With a softer, piano-laden tempo, “It’s Only Life” offers encouragement during our weakest moments. There have been a few stressful days that I driven from work, tears streaming down my face, singing, “Don’t look away. Don’t run away, baby. It’s only life… Don’t lose your faith. Don’t run away, baby. It’s only life…” I can’t explain the difference it has made.
Other tracks on the album include “One Way Or Another”, “Might Have Been”, “Devil In Me”, “Facing Up”, “Wish You Were”, and “Kindly Unspoken” as well as acoustic versions of “I Get It”, “Only Fooling Myself”, and “Wish You Were Here”.
Kate Voegele proclaims Don’t Look Away, and once this album is in your CD player, you won’t want to.