Laura Bryna
Trying To Be Me (Equity Music Group)
Equity Records has found great success with Little Big Town and marginal success with Carolina Rain and label co-owner Clint Black. But they’ve failed to find much of any success with any of their other artists. They’ve released multiple singles on former ‘big’ acts like Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Mark Wills, yet when it came time to release a new album from their stable of artists, the label chose to release Laura Bryna‘s “Trying To Be Me.”
What were they thinking?
“Life Is Good” starts off the record and despite being produced by a well-known producer, the song just sounds like it’s a demo that was shipped to get a label deal. Bryna’s vocals get processed up the wazoo while the whole affair just sounds tinny, particularly the fiddles and mandolins. Talk about bad first impressions. “Maybe She Fell” cribs the melody of Sons of the Desert‘s “Whatever Comes First” to back a lyric that deals with domestic abuse. The song is just a Martina B-side. “Make A Wish” not only has the same name as a previously released single by Cancer survivor Kevin Sharp but it also cribs the same theme. Where Sharp came off as sincere, Bryna’s song comes off as overwrought and unnecessary. I have no doubt that Laura’s inspiration was in the right place, but the song could’ve been much better. “Room 228” is a 3 minute bag of story-song cliche’s while a winning melody cannot save “According To The Radio” due to Bryna’s husky, Heidi Neufield-lite vocals (there’s no rasp to this Maryland native’s vocals). The lyrics once again rival ‘grrl-pwr’ of Martina McBride. Ugh.
And therein lies the problem with “Trying To Be Me.” Laura really isn’t trying to be herself. Aside from looking pretty on the album cover (and I’d argue that one too), Laura really doesn’t do anything remotely noteworthy. She’s an average singer with average to below average songs. I don’t see where this album has any true market or future. It is a candidate for the worst release of 2008.
The Lost Highway 
I appreciate your taking the time to review Laura Bryna’s project. Sorry you didn’t think much of our song “Make a Wish.”
Jeff,
Honestly, If the song was sung by someone else, I think it might ‘hit’ me better.
The word on the street is that Laura is a poor little rich girl with high financial investments in Equity Records. That is why they released her album. Money talks, not talent.
Andrea seems to have a personal vendetta against Laura. An almost identical post cropped on The 9513 a while back.
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I think MattoB has it all right.She is just not there.I have seen her in concert in Vegas.
Qualifications: I have been a producer for over 33 years. Much Gold and Platinum. Her 1 st song ” life is good has a shot”. Great Job. She needs better production, in song selection and a more modern approach to todays modern pop country. Roger has done a great job of producing an album in the old Nashville style, the mix is excellent. The only problem is that it doesn’t sell well in todays market. Keith Urbans reject songs do not make it either. Make a wish is a full sided labotomy of old style Disney tunes. Laura has obviously worked very hard on her voice. She has it going on. If I were here producer or manager I would have her playing small clubs 3 times a week to season that wonderful trained voice. You guys can do much better. I am rootin” for ya’ ll. I have met Laura at a rehearsal and she is really nice. I wish her the best of luck. Please just take this a sconstructive, it is not meant to put down anyone. If she taked some of this advice, she might just be on top. But then this only my opinion. We all have em”
Take care,
David Morse, Nashville, TN
http://www.mastergroovestudios.com
myspace.com/platinumwestrecords
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