“I never knew real people could be those people you hear on the radio, or see singing on TV,” writes Tristan Prettyman on her MySpace.com page.
Californian surfer and former Roxy model, Tristan Prettyman started playing music on and off from age 15. On her MySpace page she states that she knew she liked to play music, but because of her ADD she knew that she couldn’t take lessons. She used her music as an outlet to vent when her Barbies were no longer listening and would hole up in her room for hours producing work. When she finally found the stage, her parents found themselves suggesting she give up community college for her music.
When you first hear “Hello,” many tracks off the album seem reminiscent of fellow Californian Colbie Caillat. This is partially due to Prettyman’s throaty voice, along with the “Bubbly” nature of the tone and melody of the songs.
The first single from the album is “Madly.” She opens the song with, “I’m not surprised that you still call / I’m not surprised / I’m more surprised that I don’t answer.” It’s a bit of a surprise (no pun intended) to the listener, but is clarified by the chorus which will get stuck in your head.
“Madly, madly, madly / tell me that you need me / show me I’m the only / and that’s all I need to know /madly, madly, madly / well if you really love me / when you see me leaving baby / just let me go.” You then realize where she comes from, and its something that every listener wants to identify with.
The instrumental starts out with a slight beat, and crescendos into full-on uplifting melody. “Madly,” defines the new era of pop in that it does not have a beat that intimidates you or makes you want to hit the clubs. Rather, it comforts. If this song were in a soundtrack, you’d picture the female lead in her favorite place, relaxing.
When I saw the track, “War Out of Peace,” I expected a song with a darker element.
Rather, the song is one of the sweetest tracks of the album. The track has a faster beat to it, with a swing that suggests empowerment. Prettyman sings, “Is it what you want / is it what you need / we go back and forth / making war out of peace / and you won’t let go / and I won’t give up,” as her chorus.
The song could reflect lovers making the best of their differences or the constant give and take between close friends, or whatever you make it out to be. Prettyman still does not intimidate; here, she lends a helping hand. She sings passionately and pledges her loyalty.
On the contrary, I expected “California Girl” to be a favorite track of mine. Nay nay. From the first audible twang, I realized this song had a vibe other than what I was craving. The melody does not reflect a California girl in the slightest, but rather a southern girl. Prettyman only utters the words “California girl” once and it’s barely noticeable to the listener. All you get out of the song is, “Never gonna fall, I’m never gonna fall / for that old trick again.” By the end of the song, you’re thinking, “OK, we get it, you’re not gonna fall for that trick again, just stop it and hurry to a good song!” This track is not the greatest representation of Prettyman’s talents or her home state.
Prettyman’s sophomore album, “Hello,” overall, is a great find. Prettyman is someone I hope will break it onto the big scene to take over the new era of pop.
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