Frances Ancheta – Saving Graces (Album Review)

Today’s review features Frances Ancheta’s new album “Saving Graces”.

Frances Ancheta is a Filipina American singer/songwriter and acoustic musician from San Francisco, California, USA. Her musical style has been described by many as “thoughtful, eclectic acoustic folk and indie pop/rock” and “tropical new wave folk”. As a cancer survivor, creative arts therapist, and advocate for mental health and inclusivity, there’s an intrinsic grace and empathy behind her sonic expressions. She is also a mental health advocate and special needs mom, bringing these important perspectives to her artistic work. Frances believes in the arts in promoting healing and inclusion for all.

Frances has released three previous albums of original music to date, including her well-received most recent album, “Hidden Gems”. Her music has been featured on independent radio stations in the United States, as well as online radio stations/podcasts in the US, UK, Canada, and Spain.

Saving Graces is her fourth studio album. It was completed over the course of 3 years and features songs that were completed and/or composed during the Covid quarantine. Frances performs lead and background vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards, and percussion. Her latest work features a full backing band including Mr. Sushi (Toku Woo) on lead electric guitar, Mjoy (Maia Wiitala) on bass guitar and backing vocals, Peter DeHaas on drum kit and percussion, and Bozho Lasich on additional bass guitar.

Her work demonstrates how personal struggles can be transformed into artistic expression that not only heals the artist but also provides comfort, inspiration, and hope to listeners facing their own challenges. Through her thoughtful songwriting and eclectic approach to music, she continues to build bridges between cultures, communities, and individual experiences of resilience and recovery.

So let’s have a listen …

The album kicks off with the song In My Time of Need. It starts with a trippy lead electric guitar riff, psychedelic in nature. Then Frances comes in on vocals. Singing about “how life goes”, I like how she uses “oohs” and “aahs” to develop the melody. The structure of the song is simple, but I’m really enjoying the lead guitar work. I guess that’s “how life goes”.

The Place Where I Need to Be is the second song on the album. Starts with a fast country-type lead guitar riff. The acoustic guitar strums out a simple and straightforward 4/4 rhythm. The vocals are very pleasant. Very atmospheric, this track. I wish the lead guitar was a bit louder in this mix. I really like the “aahs” at the end of the track and how it strips down to just the acoustic guitar and voice, then the full band comes back in to finish.

This Haze, the third song on the album, starts off with a heavy acoustic guitar strum against a simple, but solid, drum beat. I like the vocals on this one, sailing above the mix. It’s a nice melody. The lead guitar should be more present in the mix. The chord changes keep the song interesting. I love when the backing vocals kick in and play with the lead guitar later in the song. “One tiny step at a time.” The lead guitar is has a jazz approach.

The fourth song on the album is Self Love. The song starts with a “doo – doo – ooh” vocal riff, very enchanting. The lyrics are like a self-therapy session. I find the pre-chorus to be a little clunky, compositionally. I like when the backing vocals come in later in the song and the lead guitar solo among the “doos”. The lead guitar player is very talented and tasteful.

The One Left Standing, the fifth song on the album, starts with a quirky lead guitar intro. The arrangement sounds like a classic ’50s song. This whole album is exceedingly eclectic. Full of ambiance. “I’m the one left standing”. I think the lyrics are pretty direct on this album, not a lot of guessing about what she’s talking about; the melodies are simple. I’m digging the lead electric guitar on this album. Ending with “this is real”.

No More Judgments starts with a lead electric guitar soloing over a very nice acoustic strum. I like the rhythmic feel of this song. The lyrics are very straightforward. “I don’t have time for this” with a chorus of “Let’s like ourselves right now”. A song about being judged harshly by the one you love. I find the lyrics and vocal melodies to be a little too straightforward. Loving the electric lead guitar work on the album.

Living With, the seventh song on the album, starts with an interesting lead electric guitar run, then the vocals kick in “it’s been a long day, it’s been a hard day.” A song about inner-strength. A nice composition. I like the tasteful drums and percussion on this song; the beat makes the song. “Tired of always falling down”. Another tasty lead guitar solo in this song.

The next song is Doing the Best I Can. It also starts with an interesting lead guitar riff. Frances comes in with her simple, straightforward vocals. I like the arrangement of this song and the tasty lead guitar work. Very minor-sounding tune. I like the incorporation of “oohs” and “aahs” in the mix. And when it drops down to just vocals and the acoustic guitar strums.

The final song on the album is When That Day Comes, which starts off with a very country-sounding lead guitar riff. The vocals come in, very bouncy, against the acoustic guitar playing a very syncopated rhythm. Simple, but effective. A song about hoping and finding your true love.

My only real issues with this album are the simplicity of the lyrics/vocals and the straightforward nature of the song arrangements. Too straightforward, but that is the nature of folk music. I guess I was just hoping for a bit more mystery since the album is already leaning in that direction. I find the lyrics are a little too simplistic for my ears/tastes.

SCORE/Good: Frances Ancheta delivers a strong performance on her new album “Saving Graces”. Solid songwriting, simple, but effective. She has a very pleasant voice and I love her tasteful use of “oohs” and “aahs”. I love the overall ambiance in the mix and the excellent lead guitar work on this album. Much love, Beth

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