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11.06.03
His voice is similar to Savage Garden, and so is his sound to some degree. His style is hard to define because I feel a bit of alternative rock in a few of the songs, and the rest are just really comfy rock-pop tunes. His lyrics are honest and relatable. Don't ask me why, but I felt a Jovi vibe while I was listening to this; maybe because of the romantic songs set to that signature Jovi electric guitar rock. "Ready to Fall" is a sweet song with a smooth acoustic sound backed up by O'Brien's heartfelt vocals and a powerful rock chorus. In it, he sings, "She's ready to fall/And she doesn't know/Just how to stop/When the moving is slow/She can't get enough/She's losing control/Of all that she knows." This song has the potential to launch his career, and this album follows in its shadow.
Favorite Tracks: Ready to Fall, Where Are You Now
Rating: 4 stars
10.31.03
Often compared to Bob Dylan, Nick Drake, Pete Yorn and Leonard Cohen, Josh Ritter has a style all his own. This album is sure to one day be a classic because it features Ritter's simple yet mysteriously poetic lyrics and his rich, signature vocals. In "Kathleen", what I deem his signature track, Ritter sings, "All the other girls here are stars/You are the Northern Lights/They try to shine in through your curtains/You're too close and too bright." The songwriting here is practical yet poetic, and it's hard to imagine that there would be room for improvement. In a time when classic folk rock artists seem to be making a comeback, it's refreshing to see how Ritter fits into the mix. He proves that eloquent, mature music is still in the souls of Generation X, lurking until the next anti-pop wonder comes along.
Favorite Tracks: Snow is Gone, Kathleen
Rating: 5 stars
10.30.03
If you're looking for a songwriter who can pen tunes about more than a romance gone wrong, check out Nathan Payant. In "Ready to Fall", Payant confronts putting the past behind him and taking a new chance at life. Most of the songs are introspective and a few of the greats focus on the whimsical reminiscings of childhood. Still, there is a sweet, somber tune about a dwindling relationship. In "3:20", an apologetic love ballad, he sings, "How did we go from a perfect conversation/ To being totally misinterpreted/ What I wouldn't give to go back in time/ I'd take back every single word that I said." The tone here is simple acoustic, and it works for his debut release. He's currently working with a band, and the next album promises to have a refined, rockin' sound, while this one respectably borders on a 4-star rating. Until then, this intimate collection of songs will keep you inspired and eager to hear more.
Favorite Tracks: Like a Child, 3:20
Rating: 3.5 stars
10.29.03
If I never knew the lyrics to this CD, it would still be a favorite. Not just because it's by the Lilith Goddess herself, but because her voice is so soothing and so beautiful, she doesn't needs words to convey emotion. The tunes just carry me away, by sound alone. Her lyricss are a bonus, richly blended, decisive and imaginative...they are poetry set to music. "Answer" is a solemn song of love and adoration, and in it, McLachlan sings, "In the burning of uncertainty/I will be your solid ground/I will hold the balance/If you can't look down/If takes my whole life/I won't break, I wont bend/It will all be worth it/Worth it in the end." "Fallen" is similar in sound to "Building a Mystery" and "Path of Thorns", and features her multi-toned voice hitting a wide range of pitches...all angelically, all perfectly. She's still singing poignant harmonies about the intensities of love, and does so with a literary undertone. McLachlan doesn't really have a new sound with the emergence of this album, but she doesn't need it. These songs are a continuation of the familiar masterful songwriting and spiritual sounds the legend has exhibited since the debut of "Touch". I have too many good things to say about this CD, so my best compliment to give this artist is to bestow on you my full endorsement to purchase it.
Favorite Tracks: Push, Stupid
Rating: 5 stars
10.29.03
This is a powerful collection for Will Bowen, and it shows he's more than just a high school student. He's making mad strides as a successful artist. His sound is alternative, comparable to the likes of Brendan Breen or Fuel. The songwriting is fairly straightforward, mostly about love – but that doesn't make things dull. Bowen sings softly and sweetly in "Lullaby", and amps up his sound in "Gone By Tomorrow." His gritty vocals are his trademark, and he has a quintessential alt rock tone. He's refined his sounds since his first album, "Between the Lines" and grown into a sturdy alternative rock artist with the charm of sentimental lyrics. I wouldn't be surprised if this guy hit the bigtime, and surely, this album could be responsible for launching his career.
Favorite Tracks: It's About Time, Lullaby
Rating: 4 stars
10.29.03
This CD has that soaring acoustic and electric sound with a feel of jazz and folk to it. McCarthy's voice is similar to Tom Petty or Eric Clapton's, and the sound is decently refined. "Anchors Away" is a rhythmic work of genius with the silky riffs and his varied-in-tone voice. If you're looking for something semi-obscure and blatantly different from what you'll hear on the radio, McCarthy's album is undeniably worth checking out. Repetition is ongoing, lyrically, throughout the album, but it's the simple songs that make this collection so pure. His voice is smooth and the tunes are dreamy and undefinable as far as genres go, which adds to the album's appeal.
Favorite Tracks: Anxious, Fate
Rating: 4 stars
10.28.03
I knew I would love this album when Ben Fold's played "You've Got to Live With What You Are" for the first time ever at his Holmdel, NJ show. It was just a preview of this album, which represents the best of who Folds is as an artist - it's comical, moving and straightforward. "All You Can Eat" is my favorite song on the album because of the outspoken lyrics, which are bluntly divine – Ben expresses his perceptions on Americans and how consumer-driven, materialistic our society can be. The majority of the songs are far from the ballad-types presented on his first EP, Speed Graphic, which is good because I was afraid our funky friend had lost his edge – yeah, I was wrong! "There's Always Someone Cooler Than You," for example, is reminiscent of his older song "Your Redneck Past", but still stands out and proves all his music does not sound the same. It's refreshing to hear Folds create more music in his own genre, a continuation of the masterpieces he's been creating since he first sat down at the piano many years ago.
Favorite Tracks: All You Can Eat, There's Always Someone Cooler Than You
Rating: 5 stars
10.28.03
If you like raw acoustic female vocalists, chances are this album will lure you in. Rosanna Lee has the sound stylings of Kasey Chambers or Adrianne, and bellows out upfront words throughout this album with her delicate vocals and strums. Her semi-salty voice progresses nicely as she hits high notes and harmonizes. In "King", she sings, "He'll find the weakest part of you/Knock it down and roll on through/Say his piece and never look back/Game over fade to black." The disc is a Big Girl Records release, and in keeping with the label's original mission of creating a bridge of support from songwriters to literacy, 10 percent of the profits from it will be contributed to Reach Out And Read®, a national organization whose mission is to make literacy promotion a standard part of pediatric primary care. For more information, visit www.reachoutandread.org. A girl with a guitar and a cause can never be bad – pick it up, if for nothing else, to lend a hand.
Favorite Tracks: 180 Degrees, King
Rating: 3.5 stars
10.27.03
Dave Barnes is a master wordsmith with a refined acoustic sound that is sure to please. For me, it was refreshing to hear themes of peace, grace and love blended throughout this album. It's amazing when an artist can bring his religious beliefs into his music without forcing it upon others, and that's what Barnes does with ease. As a fan of his buddy, Bebo Norman, I can tell you that the sounds are similar. He is also comparable largely to Marc Broussard and Jeffrey Gaines. In "Sticks and Stones", Barnes soulfully sings, "I'd rather have sticks and stones/Than the words you say to me/Cause bruises heal and cuts will seal/But your words beat the life from me." Simply stated, his music is eloquent and beautiful. His voice is subtle yet gruffly touching, and his acoustic strums are just as gleaming. Barnes brings to life the essence of goodness in the world, and it seems that he can change hearts with this collection.
Favorite Tracks: Sticks and Stones, Love in the Remains
Rating: 5 stars
10.27.03
It was kind of difficult for me to classify this CD, but that's a good sign for Saba – it means her sound is unique. She's got the simple, lowly sounds of Jewel with a voice that soars like Kristin Cifelli, Cara Aley or Sarah McLachlan. Still, there's that undescribable element to her tunes...that worldly sound with somber tapping percussion that tugs at you and demands your attention. Her simple acoustics shine throughout "Even Less" as much as her voice as she sings, "I fought so damn hard without anything offered/But the circumstanced called for only the best we could do...So take back those words that you never really meant/And leave me with nothing." I have a feeling that we can expect great things from her, and I can't wait to hear what they are.
Favorite Tracks: Even Less, Someone Like You
Rating: 4 stars
10.24.03
It will only be a matter of time until you hear this band on your local alt-rock radio station. I never say that lightly, but Fifth Year Crush has the ability to make it big – national airwaves big - and they're already headed there with their hit song, "Devastated". Call them The All-American Rejects meets the Goo Goo Dolls and Brendan Breen – their similarities are still unclassifiable because they have a sound all their own. Vocally, the lead singer, Jason Walls, has Graham Colton's irresistible whiney wail, but the electrically-driven sound is solely a product of this energizing four-man modern rock/pop quartet. In "Burn", Walls sings, "You say the world is turning colder/But the visions in your mind are with you all the time/And you're so worried you're only getting older/And the peace you're dreaming of well it might not ever come." The songwriting is honest, and feels like putting on a comfortable pair of jeans – the really broken in kind. Each time I listen to this album, it gets better and better. Although I don't consider myself an alternative/pop fan, if I was, this album would be my new favorite thing. Certainly, they're a brilliant addition to the modern rock industry and it's only a matter of time before the rest of the world catches on.
Favorite Tracks: Waiting Room, Devastated
Rating: 4 stars
10.24.03
Where the coffeehouse meets the roadhouse, there Mike Farley will be. Blending realistic songwriting with a professional rock and roll sound, Farley's music is reminiscent of bands such as the Gin Blossoms, the Wallflowers, and Toad the Wet Sprocket. Whoever you compare him to, he still stands apart because of his gritty vocals. Songwriting is at an all-time reality high, and it's his lyrics that hold wisdom and insight. In "Blue", Farley sings, "It's raining harder all around us/But neither one is soaking wet." "Fall" is a slower acoustic song that features gentle strums and poignant lyrics – it's kind of the slow love song on every great rock album. With a wide range of electric guitar riffs, this album is sure to capture the hearts of those who like their rock a little more alternative, yet their lyrics raw and stinging.
Favorite Tracks: Blue, When Lights Go Down
Rating: 3.5 stars
10.21.03
Throughout this six-song collection, Tristan Prettyman proves that you don't need complex studio sounds to produce extraordinary, thought-based music. That's why I like this album – it's simplicity is poignant. Using mostly just her acoustic guitar, Prettyman enticed me with her slow, casual strums. I guess you could say that she's sort of like Jewel in her pure state (the old one, before her "reinvention"); but I would also compare her to Ani DiFranco, Tracy Chapman and Catie Curtis. Whoever you try to match her up to, she still stands out because of her delicate, raspy voice and the crisp sound of the acoustic strings she strums. In "Anything At All," Prettyman softly sings, "But If I learned anything at all/It was to always be true to yourself and/I know that this isn't the end of it all/And I will fall." Her music is undressed, somewhat somber, but never dull at the same time. The songwriting here is raw and compelling, putting Prettyman on the map as a female acoustic vocalist with soaring potential.
Favorite Tracks: Anything At All, Evaporated
Rating: 4 stars
10.21.03
This is a fun jam band with a crisp sound. Even though I think their next release will be better if they refine their sound, musically, this album has a well-blended vibe. Lyrically, I wasn't gripped, but tunes such as "Northern Direction" and "On My Way Home" left me groovin' - which was fine by me because these guys know how to groove. The drummer, Rob Dawson, definitely is the hidden gem of this band – his drum rolls were spot-on and the perfect back up to the bass riffs. The songs left me feelin like this is a band with a really good dynamic on stage and off, and interested me in seeing them live. I'm not a jam band person, but if I was, Changes would be atop my stack of CDs.
Favorite Tracks: Northern Direction, On My Way Home
Rating: 3 stars
10.17.03
Adrianne is the kind of female rocker with a sound that is truly all her own. Though similar vocally to Emm Gryner and Amy Fairchild, this raspy-voiced gal has a diverse collection of tunes about the various facets of life. "When She Takes" is a rather harmonious song about strength. "Dream of Rome" is a worldly song, which actually made me want to travel there because of her entrancing descriptions and the somber sound of the tune. In it, she sings of wanting to escape as she says, "Here, no one seems to think at all/They just go, and always need to take their car/And most of the time, I'm not sure if I'm even here." I've got a thing for female folkish rockers; and Adrianne certainly goes above and beyond this genre, adding her harder edge while maintaining a mature sound. This is music that challenges you, makes you think intelligently, and most of all – feel. I will definitely be picking up her next album, and am fervent for its release.
Favorite Tracks: Dream of Rome, Bring Me You
Rating: 4.5 stars
10.17.03
The Dave Pittenger Band has a funky jam band sound that begs to be heard live. They're similar to Fooling April, and this four-piece group features some snazzy keyboard interludes backed up by a swift range of electric and bass guitars. Vocally, Pittenger has that gruff, wailing kind of voice perfect for a jam band. He can also rock out when the music is stepped up, as he demonstrates in "Broken". "Honey" took me into a bit of a Ben Folds universe, with jammin' keyboard action backed up by a vibrant rhythm. Oh, and stay tuned for a secret song at the end of the CD! Lyrically, this is simple writing and although I didn't find any phrases that really moved me, there is still meaning in the words. I was very wrapped up in the sound, which definitely gives the band its edge. Vocally, I would love to hear more refinement, but that doesn't stop this album from making a decent debut, putting the band on the map.
Favorite Tracks: Funny, Honey
Rating: 3.5 stars
10.17.03
With a well-refined hard rock and roll sound, Jake Stigers has a lot to offer. "Do You Feel High" has mass-appeal potential, with smooth riffs and Stigers' voice – a well-oiled piece of rock-n-roll machinery. His lyrics are filled with wit and edge, and his sound is certainly eclectic. The title track, "Comin' Back Again", is backed up by a swirling mass of electrical guitars, toned down from the rest of the songs on the album. In it, Stigers sings about the familiarity of coming back to familiar things in life. Don't expect bellowing tunes about romance in this album, because although the theme of love is mentioned, Stigers is more interested in exploring his life and his observations – definitely revitalizing. There's a whole lot of electric guitar happening throughout the songs, although the album's genre is difficult to classify. Is it classic rock and roll? Are those bluegrass undertones? Is he singing the blues? Ah, it adds to the assorted charm, however you categorize it.
Favorite Tracks: Do You Feel High, Don't Know Where I Belong
Rating: 4 stars
10.16.03
Similar to the likes of Adam Stewart and Nathan Payant, Matt Benoist is an acoustic singer and songwriter who makes a respectable debut with this album. His voice is deep and soft, with varying tones that keep the melancholy songs interesting. "I Wrote This Letter" is perhaps his most heartfelt tune, laced with the tender, bittersweet words, "Sweetheart I know we're night right/This time is the last time I'll say goodbye/We both you deserve a better guy/To give you things I just can't provide." This enchanting, sweet collection of love songs is the quintessential acoustic singer/songwriter album, but despite so many of them emerging, it still stands out above many others in its genre. Benoist has a tender voice that conveys his emotion, and his sound is well thought-out and professional.
Favorite Tracks: I Wrote This Letter, The Bridges You Burn
Rating: 3.5 stars
10.16.03
This alternative rock collection boasts a powerful, electrically-charged sound with a lead vocalist (Jeff Holmes) who deserves to be at the mic. Holmes' voice is strong and intense, and the songs he belts out are chock full of inspiration and expression. Imagine the same strength that Bon Jovi has to rock out hard core yet sing about love without whining...and here you have this four-piece wonder band. "Dawn" is a powerful tune, and in it Holmes wails, "I still breathe/My heart is nailed to your sleeve/Hurt but living/I'll go on and every day has its dawn." The band as a whole has a knack for using their guitars for rhythm, in addition to the magnificent drumming that backs up the songs. This album made me wonder why I'm not a fan of harder, alternative rock; they give this genre of music a fantastic reputation and exuberate all it should be.
Favorite Tracks: Dawn, Not Tonight
Rating: 4.5 stars
10.16.03
This is an acoustic blend of absolute soul. Philpot has that sleek, salty voice we all adore in Josh Kelley, and the grooves that make Jeffrey Gaines so unique. The lyrics are simple, yet heavy at times. In "Changing the World," Philpot sings, "And I've learned/You can't look ahead/And you can't live behind." This guy has a great radio-friendly sound, and the 5-song EP is certainly worth picking up if you enjoy acoustic rockers who take their music a notch up with fun background sounds.
Favorite Tracks: Changing the World, Therein Lies
Rating: 4 stars
10.14.03
This album resonates what Blu Sanders' music is all about – intense lyrics, a whole lotta soul, and a powerful sound. With his deep, somewhat scratchy but always sexy voice, Sanders sings of escaping life, becoming a better person, and relishing love. "Come for Me" is a sugary song filled with yearning, and in it, Sanders sings, "I'm giving it up/Crying off key/I'm falling apart/Are you still listening?" "Shining Through" is another musical gem on the album, with a tone of insecurity that is delightfully honest. I felt like I was getting a truthful glimpse into this acoustic rocker throughout that song, and much of the album. Sanders has a bit of a hard rock sound while keeping his songs slow and intense...a grand merge of musical style if you ask me. Heartfelt and passionate, these songs tug at the soul and provide listeners with a chance to look within and get in touch with their emotions. This will be the album that either sends Sanders career shooting off into stardom or maintains his dominance in the emerging acoustic rock world...either way, it's worth picking up.
Favorite Tracks: Hold On, Come for Me
Rating: 4 stars
10.14.03
Put the top down and fill up the tank – this is a great road trip CD. There's something about the whimsical light rhythms and easy guitar jams that make this sound fresh. "That for You" is a song about the reality of great expectations, and in it Wertz belts out, "I'll never make your broken heart begin to beat/I cant be your everything/I can not make things right/I'll tell you one more time/Maybe you'll hear me if you try." "Wesley Why" is a refreshing blend of acoustic rock and mild bluegrass with intense lyrics about loss. Most of the songs ooze with intense emotion and do so with gentle choruses that allow the listener to really feel the wailing passion contained in Wertz's lyrics. This guy has a lot of Josh Kelley to him throughout this continuous meld of honest songwriting, which is mostly saturated on the topic of romance. But it's not so sappy that you can't rock out to his rootsy beats and that rusty-toned voice of his.
Favorite Tracks: Falling Off the Face of the Earth, That for You
Rating: 4 stars
10.14.03
His songwriting is beautiful and enchanting throughout this collection of acoustic jams. McMillin explores reality in "Lifetimes and Yesterdays" when he sings, "Lifetimes, yesterdays/Dreams all dreampt before/Now those dreams have to live in evermore." Ranging from topics of love to spirituality, McMillin's verses are heartfelt and complex, always honest. Vocally, he's got somewhat of a bluesy, gruff voice. If you like Edwin McCain, you will probably enjoy this vibrant assortment of intertwining acoustics.
Favorite Tracks: Lifetimes and Yesterdays, May Your Sun Always Rise
Rating: 3.5 stars
10.14.03
You just don't hear music like this on the radio. It's hard rock with a classical rock sound, and it's anything but normal. "Out of Bounds" is a slower song in which the vocals are throaty yet wistful. This band is a bit like Breaking Laces, with that jittery yet smooth sound. Honestly, some of it is a little rough for me, but I can see why fans of harder rock dig this band – they're edgy and they're fun. If you like energizing music that's not laced with sentimental romance, check out this album. I'm keen on hearing more from this band.
Favorite Tracks: Out of Bounds, Life in the Three
Rating: 3 stars
10.10.03
This album took me through a rather mystical, introspective journey...and I loved every minute of the trip. Hopkins has a voice reminiscent of Nick Drake or Tom Petty, but a style all his own. Transversing from folk to acoustic rock, the sound of the album is overall pretty chill, with the occasional belt-out rock tune, as in "Twirl for Me". Hopkins has an adult rock sound that incorporates a diverse range of instruments, but his melancholy voice is what really stands out on this album. "Somebody's Gonna Lose Somebody" has a unique organ sound and acoustic rhythm to it with layered back-up vocals almost chanting throughout the song. The lyrics are simple, but deep, and leave interpretation up to the listener. His music is the kind that is simple, filled with emotion, and somewhat dark – yet it shines. Hopkins exudes unwavering potential as an artist throughout the entire album, proving he has the ability to succeed.
Favorite Tracks: Then There's None, Somebody's Gonna Lose Somebody
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Kristen Fischer
DiscoveringArtists.com
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