Tracy Chapman is not so fast

It is easy to associate Tracy Chapman with nothing more then the song “Fast Car.” Released 20 years ago on her self-titled album, the standout single by the soulful singer/songwriter propelled her to popularity.

Now, after going multi-platinum, winning four Grammys and a taking a three-year hiatus, she returns with her eighth full-length album Our Bright Future.

This album capitalizes on Chapman’s strong points in her long career but unfortunately does not bring anything new from the artist to her audience.

Sadly, there is nothing on this album that comes close to the appeal of “Fast Car.” In fact, Chapman passes over her rock roots for songs that sound specifically more folk and country. It does, however, make sense for a woman who has such a strong background in gospel.

The title-track “Our Bright Future” is an accumulation of the banjo, organ and Chapman’s signature soulful voice. The song is sad, mournful and leads perfectly into “For a Dream,” a track about losing somebody you love.

Everything on the album seems to have the same sense of grief and foreboding, almost as though Chapman has realized that her career is not going to go any further then this.

“I Did It All” is a deep exploration of Chapman’s life. With lyrics like “Slept in late stayed up for days / Partied hard, lived my 20s in haze / Smoked second-hand in crowded bars / With the A-list of B-list movie stars” listeners cannot help but be captivated by Chapman’s engaging autobiography of herself.

Out Bright Future is the kind of album that will be heard in coffee shops across the country. Yet Chapman will probably always be a sad, familiar voice that is enjoyed over a cup of coffee but will not be specifically recognized. It is a pity that Chapman could not return the greatness of “Fast Car,” but fans of her work will still enjoy this addition to their collection.