Performer Notes

Personnel: Tracy Bonham (vocals, guitar, violin); Ed Ackerson (guitar); Sean Slade (organ); Drew Parsons (bass); Eric Paull, Josh Freese, Fred Eltringham (drums).
THE BURDENS OF BEING UPRIGHT was nominated for a 1997 Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Performance. "Mother Mother" was nominated for a 1997 Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.
Perhaps "Jaded Little Pill" might have been a more appropriate title for this classically-trained Bostonian, who seems set to step from indie-celebrity status to mega-stardom. Bonham possesses the same angry energy that helped propel Alanis Morissette, in more concentrated form. Her acidic lyrical stylings, combined with raw, bubble-fuzz melodies, are liable to scorch you if not handled with care. Song craftsmanship is particularly evident in the angry, anthemic rock chorus of "Mother Mother" and the grinding Pixies-ish tones of "Sharks Can't Sleep" (complete with Kim Deal-esque wailing). Acrid as this major-label debut is (observe Bonham's diatribe against the music industry in "One Hit Wonder"), one can only imagine how much more toxic this pop-punkstress is capable of becoming.
Personnel: Tracy Bonham (vocals, guitar, violin); Ed Ackerson (guitar); Sean Slade (organ); Drew Parsons (bass guitar); Eric Paul , Josh Freese, Fred Eltringham (drums).
Recording information: Fort Apache.
Classically trained violinist Tracy Bonham emerged from Boston with her first major-label release, The Burdens of Being Upright. The album yielded a significant radio hit with the seething message "Mother Mother," which leads off the album. It raises the bar for the rest of the record and, although she doesn't quite match it, The Burdens of Being Upright is a riveting introduction. Bonham and bandmates tear through tracks like "Navy Bean" and "Bulldog" with energetic punk abandon. Bonham's lyrics are intelligent and her voice is powerful, sounding eerily like Liz Phair on songs like "Kisses," "Sharks Can't Sleep," and "Every Breath." ~ Tom Demalon

Professional Reviews

Entertainment Weekly (12/27/96-1/3/97, p.148) - Ranked #8 on Entertainment Weekly's list of the `Top 10 Albums And Singles Of 1996.'

Entertainment Weekly (3/15/96, p.64) - "...Comparisons to recent been-around-the-block chick forebears...are sure to abound, but the edgy incisiveness here is eclipsed by Bonham's pop sparkle..." - Rating: A

Q (7/96, p.129) - 3 Stars - Good - "...kooky rockin' dame theatrics of the Alanis Morissette variety smeared with liberal helpings of Nirvana's sense of vaguely defined loathing..."

Musician (5/96, p.100) - "...she's...a whiz at making the music's sound match its lyric intent....An album as smart as it is tuneful..."

NME (Magazine) (7/6/96, p.36) - 7 (out of 10) - "...a fine concoction of addictive...melodies, intriguing basslines....it's a relief to note that `women in rock' have finally realised that the rock in question has nothing to do with hippy skirts and acoustic strumming..."

Album: The Burdens Of Being Upright
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Mother Mother	More Info...	3:01
2)	Navy Bean	More Info...	2:48
3)	Tell It To The Sky	More Info...	4:06
4)	Kisses	More Info...	2:21
5)	Brain Crack	More Info...	1:05
6)	The One	More Info...	3:26
7)	One Hit Wonder	More Info...	3:01
8)	Sharks Can't Sleep	More Info...	4:33
9)	Bulldog	More Info...	2:06
10)	Every Breath	More Info...	2:34
11)	30 Seconds	More Info...	3:15
12)	The Real	More Info...	3:17

Album: The Burdens Of Being Upright
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Mother Mother	More Info...	3:01
2)	Navy Bean	More Info...	2:48
3)	Tell It To The Sky	More Info...	4:06
4)	Kisses	More Info...	2:21
5)	Brain Crack	More Info...	1:05
6)	The One	More Info...	3:26
7)	One Hit Wonder	More Info...	3:01
8)	Sharks Can't Sleep	More Info...	4:33
9)	Bulldog	More Info...	2:06
10)	Every Breath	More Info...	2:34
11)	30 Seconds	More Info...	3:15
12)	The Real	More Info...	3:17