Missy Higgins’ Triumphant Return. By Chris Azzopardi
Missy Higgins, ‘The Ol’ Razzle Dazzle’
She almost walked away from music altogether, but good thing Missy Higgins changed her mind: “The Ol’ Razzle Dazzle” takes the Aussie out of her sad-girl-with-piano comfort zone and into newfound greatness. Releasing five years after her second album, “On a Clear Night,” spawned the heartbreaking hit “Where I Stood,” this one has Higgins stepping up her game, going jazzy on the whistle-worthy ear-magnet “Hello Hello,” her confrontation with a fair-weather friend, and taking the blues route for the sultry soul song “Watering Hole.” Country also runs through “If I’m Honest,” a cute little ditty about an inimitable lover; an instrumental smorgasbord is the foundation of “Set Me on Fire,” a piano-riffing pseudo-pop jingle that has her harmonizing with herself - proof that two Missy Higgins are better than one. “Everyone’s Waiting” is so good - an etherealized stunner about following your heart that reaches a lovely climax - it’s already being used in a “Revenge” promo. And the built-like-Coldplay “Hidden Ones” is an underdog anthem that sticks with you. Higgins’ power on the soul is also in full effect: “Cooling of the Embers” is a profound look at death in its final moments, while “Sweet Arms of a Tune” cuts away from “razzle-dazzle” for a simple lovelorn downer. Higgins is back, and where she stood doesn’t matter. That she’s still standing does.
(This review was spot on in my opinion.)
