''If Songs Could Be Held'' is the third

album An album is a collection of audio recordings (e.g., music) issued on a medium such as compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl (record), audio tape (like 8-track cartridge, 8-track or Cassette tape, cassette), or digital distribution, dig ...

by American singer/songwriter Rosie Thomas, released in 2005. Produced by

Busbee Michael James Ryan Busbee (June 18, 1976 – September 29, 2019), known professionally as Busbee, was an American songwriter, record producer, publisher, record executive, and multi-instrumentalist. He was known for his work in both pop mus ...

, the album features a duet with

Ed Harcourt Edward Henry Richard Harcourt-Smith (born 14 August 1977) is an English singer-songwriter. To date, he has released ten studio albums, two EPs, and thirteen singles. His debut album, '' Here Be Monsters'', was nominated for the 2001 Mercury Pr ...

on "Let It Be Me".Bernard, David (2005)
Rosie Thomas: If Songs Could Be Held
,

PopMatters ''PopMatters'' is an international online magazine of cultural criticism that covers aspects of popular culture. ''PopMatters'' publishes reviews, interviews, and essays on cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, ...

, December 14, 2005. Retrieved January 23, 2014 The album also features

Liz Phair Elizabeth Clark Phair (born April 17, 1967) is an American rock singer-songwriter and musician. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Phair was raised primarily in the Chicago area. After graduating from Oberlin College in 1990, she attempted to sta ...

, Dino Meneghin, and Josh Myers.ROSIE THOMAS; If Songs Could Be Held
, '' The Stranger'', October 13, 2005.

Reception

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...

gave the album three and a half stars out of five, with James Christopher Monger calling it "a lovely collection of Sunday morning melancholy that's as gentle as it is weary" and "the most accessible record ever to bear the SubPop insignia". ''

Paste Paste is a term for any very thick viscous fluid. It may refer to: Science and technology * Adhesive or paste ** Wallpaper paste ** Wheatpaste, a liquid adhesive made from vegetable starch and water * Paste (rheology), a substance that behaves as ...

'', tinymixtapes, and Punknews.org gave it similar ratings.

Pitchfork Media ''Pitchfork'' (formerly ''Pitchfork Media'') is an American online music magazine founded in 1996 by Ryan Schreiber in Minneapolis. It originally covered Alternative rock, alternative and independent music, and expanded to cover genres includin ...

gave it a 5.9 out of 10 rating.

gave it 6/10, with David Bernard saying it "sounds amazing". Prefix writer John Zeiss was less complementary, giving the album 3/10 and calling "a letdown".

Track listing

All songs written by Rosie Thomas unless otherwise stated. All songs arranged by Rosie Thomas and

busbee Michael James Ryan Busbee (June 18, 1976 – September 29, 2019), known professionally as Busbee, was an American songwriter, record producer, publisher, record executive, and multi-instrumentalist. He was known for his work in both pop mus ...

. # "Since You've Been Around" – 3:18 # "Pretty Dress" (Thomas/busbee) – 3:56 # "Loose Ends" – 3:41 # "It Don't Matter to the Sun" ( Gordon Kennedy,

Wayne Kirkpatrick Wayne Kirkpatrick (born c. 1961) is an American songwriter and musician born in Greenville, MS, who now lives in Nashville, Tennessee. He graduated from Baton Rouge Magnet High School in 1979. His younger brother is American screenwriter and d ...

Tommy Sims Tommy Sims is an American bassist, songwriter, record producer and bandleader. Music career From 1987 to 1989 Sims was the bassist for the Christian rock band White Heart, which he left to become a Session musician, studio musician and pro ...

) – 3:40 # "Guess It May" (Thomas/busbee) – 4:11 # " Let It Be Me" (

Gilbert Bécaud François Gilbert Léopold Silly (24 October 1927 – 18 December 2001), known professionally as Gilbert Bécaud (), was a French singer, composer, pianist and actor, known as "Monsieur 100,000 Volts" for his energetic performances. His best-know ...

, Pierre Leroyer) – 3:40 # "Clear as a Bell" – 3:27 # "Say What You Want" (Thomas/busbee) – 3:44 # "Time Goes Away" (Thomas/busbee) – 3:44 # "Death Came and Got Me" – 2:50 # "Tomorrow" (Thomas/busbee) – 3:19

References

{{Authority control Rosie Thomas (singer-songwriter) albums 2005 albums Sub Pop albums