Not very widely known, The Veronicas – Jess and Lisa Origliasso – are 20-year-old identical twins from Australia. Their music is reminiscent of Michelle Branch, Kelly Clarkson, and Flyleaf, and provides an interesting mix between pop and rock. Their Sire Records debut CD “The Secret Life of The Veronicas” demonstrates their immense talent and characteristic edgy style and sound. They provide a variety of great songs.
“4ever” is definitely one of their best songs. It is the first song on the CD, and it jumps right into the swing of things with an assertiveness and a fun beat and lyrics. It makes you want to turn up the volume and sing along at the top of your lungs (much to the horror of my neighbors). “4ever” also displays their smooth harmonies and strong voices.
“Nobody Wins” is a fantastic song that speaks to my heart personally, as well as to many others out there who had been through a difficult goodbye. The wisdom of the lyrics as well as the mellow yet edgy manner in which The Veronicas present them work together to create one song that no one should pass up on hearing. It points out that sometimes “maybe there’s beauty in goodbye,” and that in the end, although “nobody wins,” nobody loses either if you say goodbye in time.
Though each song by The Veronicas is different and unique, there is a strong prevalent theme which Lisa and Jess seem to be pushing forward with their music. One song summarizes this message simply with its title: “Revolution.” This is another one of their best songs not only because of its lively beat but because of its powerful lyrics as well: “Hold on tight, I am, I’m a revolution.” These words are a message to everyone out there that these girls are something different. They also remind us all that everyone is a revolution of their own. It describes the music of The Veronicas perfectly, since they create a mix of genres and throw in their own special style to create a music that is revolutionary itself.
Amidst these rough and tough songs with fast beats and rocking music, the song “Speechless” provides a glimpse of the softer side of The Veronicas. Speechless” is another top song by these talented young singers because it demonstrates their ability to reach the sentimental side in all of us. The song is smooth and soothing and its words are sweet and lyrical, a strong contrast to other songs by the twins such as “Leave Me Alone” and “When it All Falls Apart.” Romantic words such as “I’ve spent forever searching, now I know that it was worth it, with you it feels like I am finally home” remind us that love truly is the universal language.
The last song on the CD is another top song, and a very fitting one, because it ends the array of different songs with a bang. “Mother Mother” is such a different style and sound that it’s hard to believe it’s the same two girls singing. It resembles the typical conversation of a grown daughter calling her mother to tell her that “everything’s fine” while screaming inside about how hard it is to be out there on her own. Lisa and Jess really get to let off some steam and let out energy in this song. The last two lines end the song seemingly in the middle, leaving it hanging: “I miss you. I love you.”
The Veronicas have created some incredible music and all of their songs are winners. However, their five best songs have to be “4ever,” “Nobody Wins,” “Revolution,” “Speechless,” and “Mother Mother.” Five other incredible songs by The Veronicas are “I Could Get Used to This,” “Leave Me Alone,” “Everything I’m Not,” “When it All Falls Apart,” and “Did Ya Think.”
In “I Could Get Used to This,” Jess and Lisa sing about the unconditional love of the one person you want to be with and how it has to be “too good to be true.” They seem to be saying, ‘don’t question it – accept it.” This song makes you feel good listening to it. It’s fast but mellow and very touching.
“Leave Me Alone” provides a very different side of The Veronicas. They sing with the voice of someone who has been controlled and pushed around by another, and now they’re ready to put an end to it. Before they go, though, they want to “[put] you through a lesson or two.” This song is great for those who have always wanted to tell the oppressive people in their life “Leave me alone, get out of my face… ’cause I know I’m better off on my own.”
The Veronicas add yet another view of relationships with their song “Everything I’m Not.” With this one, they sing about the kind of person who wants to change who they are and wants them to be perfect. Finally, they just have to say: “I was losing myself to somebody else but now I see, I don’t wanna pretend so this is the end of you and me.” Wanting to change someone else pushes you apart as in this song. The message is loud and important and their voices do a great job of displaying it.
“When it All Falls Apart” and “Did Ya Think” are two more great songs that portray the girls’ strong vocals and harmonies. Did Ya Think” is on their “4ever” single,” and is a fun, upbeat song about breaking up, while “When it All Falls Apart” is a chaotic day and trying to find a way to deal when everything goes wrong.
These top ten songs demonstrate the different and many abilities of Jess and Lisa Origliasso. I wait impatiently to hear what they come up with next. Hopefully they will soon become a well-known name among a larger audience – they certainly deserve it.
