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09.01.05
She's got a voice like Kristin Cifelli with the edge of
Cindy Alexander. She's feisty yet soft, and that combination
immediately lures you in. It search song soars, especially,
"To Return to You," in which she sings the simple
mantra, "I am leaving/To return to you." The
appeal with Kat Parsons is not only her voice, but these
meaningful lyrics that expose feelings of vulnerability
and emotion. And the album's origins are interesting,
too. When her fans dogged her for an album to fill the
void between her high-voltage performances, Kat asked
them to put their money where their mouths were. Fans
stepped up and stacked the chips to the tune of more than
$18,000 before Parsons ever recorded a note.
Favorite Tracks: No Will Power, Remains
Rating: 5 stars
09.01.05
Last time we heard from these guys I was feeling that
their sound was a little to hard for me. But with one
listen, it's clear their Staind-ish style has changed.
"Laundromat" is a prime example, a fun-styled
reggae type song that veers off their usual path. Tracks
like "Maybe Now" and "Come What May"
really state this band's genre best resting in the Graham
Colton Band/Matchbox 20 arena, if it's possible to define
one. Yet in "Shine," you can feel the Three
Doors Down effect with an upbeat message as they sing,
"Despite your best laid plans/Sometimes you just
can't run away/Cause it's a cold hard world out there/The
fact that you can't smile/Isn't lost on me." So,
it's hard to see where these guys are going, but it's
a great collection.
Favorite Tracks: Shine, Maybe Now
Rating: 4 stars
09.01.05
This gal's sound is so unique that I just had to review
the CD. It's one part Sarah McLachlan in voice, with some
Imogen Heap and perhaps some Garbage tossed in. It's a
bit industrious (is that a banjo or accordion I hear?,
and though I must admit, there's not much happening thought-based
here (except in "Dear Captain" as she sings
about wanting to escape.) But the sound deserved a little
free press.
Favorite Tracks: Dear America, Dear Captain
Rating: 3.5 stars
08.26.05
Kai Brown likes to keep things lively, and he has blended
catchy pop rock throughout this collection of upbeat tracks
sure to stay in the stereo. It's a blend of Green Day,
Vertical Horizon and Graham Colton Band. Brown came to
Dallas from Australia, where he worked on his debut solo
album with Cary Pierce, whom he found after hearing Colton's
group over the Internet. Yet his sound is unique, in it's
positive, motivational flow. His sound is sort of earthy,
though, void of the electronically produced sound. In
"Better Now," he sings, "Things happen
through the night/With morning they fade." His message
is upbeat, not only singing about love, but admitting
life's trials and working past them.
Favorite Tracks: Better Now, Up All Night
Rating: 5 stars
08.26.05
There was something about this CD that struck me, and
lured me right in. When I heard that Gregg Wattenberg
(Five for Fighting, Eve 6, Chantal Kreviazuk) had worked
on it, I knew that was part of it. (Big Chantal fan, here.)
Brown's vocals resonate a little Pete Schmidt, but his
tempo is mostly upbeat throughout this rock collection
that takes a detour down a bit of an abstract road ala
Marc Broussard. The songs are all crisp, and well thought
out, radiating meaning and emotion. All of them are good,
I just wish there were more.
Favorite Tracks: I'm Not Leaving, The Distance
Rating: 5 stars
08.26.05
Jen Chapin has this feminine voice that hits perfect high
notes throughout this bluesy album. In "Good at Love,"
she sings, "My feet get dirty inside my own shoes/My
head gets clouded by my own stormy blues/And it seems
my little victories might arrive too late/But you say:
"you're doing great baby, you're doing just great."
But it's the acoustic-driven track "Gold" that
really captured me, with its vintage vibe. You're not
sure if this sensual songstress is folk or just a case
of the jazz-based blues, but it's still a good listen
for anyone who enjoys a Suzanne Vega sort of collection.
Favorite Tracks: Gold, I Could Fall (In Love with
You)
Rating: 4 stars
08.16.05
This guy has the piano talents of Ben Folds melded with
the sentimental lyrics of Ryan Adams' older stuff —
bravo! In "Real," he sings, "Chunks of
time/Just a footnote or a caption/People come and people
go/The leave us with an ending." "The rest of
the songs offer a twinge of rock-n-roll, but more importantly
deep lyrics with a raspy voice that can reach high notes
ala Jason Mraz. But you won't get anything remotely sounding
like "Remedy" here. A refreshing sound is evident
throughout the entire album, and we can only expect more
to come. Brantley is working with Gold album veteran producer
Russ-T Cobb (Avril Lavigne, Bowling for Soup) on some
new tracks. These ones are great enough to last us till
new material comes out. Still, I can't wait.
Favorite Tracks: Real, San Fran
Rating: 5 stars
08.16.05
Do you ever keep meaning to check out a band, but never
do? Well, that's what I did with Pat McGee Band, for about
a year. Friends recommended it, I heard tracks here and
there. But when I got the album, I wondered why I didn't
check them out sooner. The CD is amazing, full of meaningful
alternative rock and lead vocals that have varied tones
and a crisp sound overall. From "Must Have Been Love"
to the poppy-yet-awesome "Beautiful Ways," it's
clear these guys are rising, and can easily be compared
to the likes of Graham Colton Band, Toad the Wet Sprocket
or RedLetterPrint. Bravo—gotta love alternative
rock that's easy on the ears.
Favorite Tracks: Beautiful Ways, Annabel
Rating: 5 stars
08.16.05
Although her music is getting lots of airplay on Nickelodeon,
it's not really for kids. The topics are mature, the songwriting
thoughtful and the sound is refined. Her voice sounds
a little like Natalie Merchant, and the tone is alternative
rock with a feminine flair. "Little Bit Lonely"
is a good opener because of its strong electric guitar
presence and melodies. By "So Typical" she gets
a little bluesy with edge, and "Hard to Say"
comes back with a flowing, uplifting sound. Think Amy
Fairchild with a higher-pitched voice.
Favorite Tracks: Hard to Say, Anything Real
Rating: 4 stars
08.16.05
This band combines raggae with violin-led rock that sounds
a little British. Truth be told, this gang is from Providence,
Rhode Island, but you'd never know. They've got a mix
of The Cure and Dashboard Confessional, though the lyrics
didn't do much for me. Songs like "Fallen" were
chock full of meaning, while others didn't do enough to
lure me in. Still a good sound, but such a specific one
that it will only attract that target of an audience.
And I'm afraid similar act Franz Ferdinand and Hot Hot
Heat have already claimed that crowd.
Favorite Tracks: Fallen, Thirsty
Rating: 3.5 stars
07.25.05
With a girlish charm that reveals core emotions —
all with a surfer sound - Tristan Prettyman glows in her
first label release on Virgin Records. This album brings
you straight to the beaches of San Diego, with songs like
"Breathe" to lure you in. Soft acoustic rumbles
and percussion ala the tropics make this entire album
breezy, even when she is discussing a bad breakup in "The
Story." In it, she sings, "I'm the chance you
chose not to take/And I'm the one you wish you were kissing."
The chorus is most brilliant, as she sings, "You'll
write the title/I'll write the chapters/We could read
a story of love gone disaster." "Song for the
Rich," off her first demo, made the track listing,
too, as did her duet with Jason Mraz, "Shy that Way."
Actually, it's as if Prettyman is the female clone of
Mraz with respect to sound, though the two have different
musical styles. Her single, "Love Love Love"
has enough of her originality blended with the pop sound
needed to get her name out there. Best of all, this album
brings the raw coffeehouse feel that Prettyman is known
for, and blended it sharply with a professional touch.
There wasn't a single track I didn't like, and I'm glad
my TP fix came — I was starting to get the shakes
without it.
Favorite Tracks: The Story, Love Love Love
Rating: 5 stars
07.25.05
It's officially the sophomore release for Mr. Mraz, and
tough at first listen the album sounds completely different,
there is enough resemblance to his debut to say that he's
pretty much continuing his style. I'd say he's adding
in more tidbits about himself, and going more extreme
(from love song to tripped-out word wrangling) doing so.
Okay by me. "Life is Beautiful" is a magical song that
let's Mraz's vocals and softer emotions shine through.
He sings boldly about love, noting how it can take years
to know what love truly is, but one can still fall in
love quickly. The song has a harmony that sort of goes
in circles, beautifully entangling the listener with repeats
of the title mostly. But is voice is so good, the simple
lyrics don't bother. "Geek in the Pink" took me by surprise
the most, and I am hoping this song isn't the second single
on the album. I tried, I just couldn't get into the sound
though the lyrics were clever. Bringing back the SoCal
sound he's known for, Mraz tied in the dreamy track, "Bela
Luna," which has this tango-sound to it, as he sings of
the stars and the moon. It's safe to say the autobiographical
track "Wordplay" is the new "Remedy," not only because
he songs were respectively the first singles released
on both albums, but because they're similar in gleaming,
rising pop-friendly sounds. Overall, another luring album
by the San Diego native who's staying true to his roots.
Favorite Tracks: Please Don't Tell Her, Life
is Beautiful
Rating: 5 stars
07.20.05
With a smooth, refined sound that still exudes the feel
of an acoustic coffeehouse show, Annie Bethancourt has
made giant strides with this release. "Where Darkness
Meets Fire" is such a brilliant opening song, with
rhythms on the acoustic that are both semi-bluesy and
raw. Her voice is angelic, and resonates the deep emotions
in her songs. In it, she sings, "I'll try to keep
my mouth from kissing your lips/I'll try to keep my hands
from reaching for your clenched fist/I'll try to keep
my self-control, but I make no promises my dear."
Every track here is warm, harmonic and laden with delicate
emotions. It's everything that a record should be, and
all I wanted was more from this SoCal acoustic goddess.
Favorite Tracks: Where Darkness Meets Fire, Let
It Go
Rating: 5 stars
07.20.05
Okay, I must admit that the name of this album lured me
to listen. And after discovering it is an instrumental-only
blend, I still have to say that I enjoyed it. Again, mood
music that has professional quality is always good. All
of the songs are named after various coffee drinks; which
piqued my interest to head to Starbucks (it doesn't take
much.) The gentle rhythms and electric guitar in "Cup
of Joe" were my favorite, a dreamy, lush mix of acoustic-based
goodness. Much like a cup of joe. It's almost as if Stephanie
Sante can create a drink that is music to my ears.
Favorite Tracks: Cup of Joe, Caramel Latte
Rating: 3.5 stars
07.20.05
This album had a foreign sort of sound, and the feminine
vocals of Lynn Michalopoulos that enhanced its sound.
When I heard her last name, I realized that the "foreign"
must be Greek-influenced. Still, her sultry vocals and
sturdy drumming rhythms are rather relaxing. I wouldn't
play this album regularly, but it would be some neat music
to fall asleep to, especially the songs, "Grace 65"
and the electronica-opening deep-bass track "She
knows."
Favorite Tracks: Today, Grace 65
Rating: 3 stars
07.20.05
Sumitra Nanjundan's album displays her cultural mix of
places she's lived and the person she is in this jazzy
collection which is ideal for mature listeners. "I
Know It's Late" reminded me so much of a Kate Bush
song, while her vocals had a Norah Jones edge. The rest
of the tracks are an interesting mix of acoustic strings
that had a spiritual feel. You can even sense her own
culture in "One Life." I don't think this is
the typical DiscoveringArtists.com album, but it's worth
a mention if you're in the mood for something eclectic.
Favorite Tracks: I Know It's Late, Empty Fields
Rating: 2.5 stars
07.01.05
I never judge a CD by it's cover or disc design, but I
was initially impressed with this one, and rightfully
so. Tasha Golden has a voice so pure, while the Ben Folds-esque
rhythms bring in a triphop element to acoustic and piano-based
rock in "Anna". In "Be Like This"
she sings, "Your voice was soft/It always is/That's
why I thought/I'd get through this." I love the songwriting
on this album; it honestly shows the confusion that surrounds
emotion. What a bright future this duo has (Justin Golden
is the other musician, also her husband, who lends some
vocals.) We've got great elements of Adrianne happening
here with some Rachel Yamagata. Then there's a feeling
of Mary Beth Mariarz, creating an album with hope, and
beauty. Bravo to an indie duo that has professional capabilities
and pop sensibilities. "Know Better Know" began
with a compelling piano introduction that left me wanting
to hear more from this group. I can't wait to!
Favorite Tracks: Be Like This, Know Better Now
Rating: 5 stars
07.01.05
This band has the pop sensibility of Coldplay with an
intrinsic indeed quality. The electric guitar solos float
and so do the vocals of Joe and Isaac (which are also
similar to that of Blue Merle's lead man.) Intricate acoustic
guitar playing lends a hand in "Unsaid," while
there's more of a rock and roll sound in "Oceans
Away." The band is touring with Weezer soon, which
could mean the rest of the world may open up to this band's
knack for simple lyrics, with a sturdy background of melding
acoustic and alternative sounds.
Favorite Tracks: Vienna, Unsaid
Rating: 4.5 stars
07.01.05
I wasn't all too impressed with the lyrics throughout
this album, but I have to say that Shane Hines has a vocal
capability that surpasses all ranges and allures a listener
immediately. The problem was, I think that's all this
guy has. The rhythmic guitar and drums here give the album
sort of an Edwin McCain edge. There were some harder sounding
rock-n-roll sounds, though in some tunes such as "I'm
Sorry Ann" Hines sort of tugs at the heartstrings.
Overall, I like the sound of Hines vocals but the album
didn't do anything grand for me.
Favorite Tracks: I'm Sorry Ann, So Strong
Rating: 3.5 stars
06.22.05
As if his last full-length album wasn't great enough,
Christopher Jak returns with an album that contains the
bluesy tones we love in Stephen Kellogg, but adds the
sensitive singer-songwriter lyrics ala Matt Nathanson.
Meika Pauley backs up his vocals in "Me and Myself,"
and Jak brings some trudging rhythms and mystery in "Goodnight
(I'm So Sorry)" as he sings, "Don't believe
a word I say/I've been lying to your face all day."
He's so brutally honest in this song that reflects not
wanting to be with someone and trying to be strong enough
to tell them that. Jak's vocals have a distinctive sound
that makes the addition of these 13 tracks ideal; yet
his sound hasn't changed much. He's that continuous type
when it comes to style, but that didn't bother me one
bit. This CD will stay in the stereo for quite some time.
If you enjoyed "Applause of the Rain", you will
definitely love this.
Favorite Tracks: Goodnight (I'm So Sorry), Begin
to Cry
Rating: 5 stars
06.22.05
Another EP from Ohio's hit sensation Kate Voegele boasts
more tracks with rhythms and soft-spoken yet edgy soaring
vocals similar to Michelle Branch. "Only Fooling
Myself" does have a girly edge to it, simple lyrics
and all. "Top of the World" was redone, and
offers some layered background vocals while Voegele takes
the lead. Her vocals just rise up, and switch notes with
ease. "Kindly Unspoken" features some piano
playing, as Voegele proves she can do more than make edgy
chick rock. But we still like what this girl puts out,
we just hope to soon hear more than 4 songs.
Favorite Tracks: Top of the World, Kindly Unspoken
Rating: 4.5 stars
06.22.05
Whitney Cline brings a mature sensibility to the folk/acoustic
rock scene. Her voice is sort of masculine, and her music
has an edge to it. "Closer to You" was my favorite,
with a dependable rhythm ala the acoustic guitar as she
sings, "Sometimes I can't find the angry hurtful
words inside me/I can only ask myself why/I keep pulling
myself up back to my feet/So you can just walk by and
push me down." This song exudes a lot of meaning
as Cline sings about feeling broken. "Not too Long
Ago" has a mysterious aura to it, as Cline's piano
keys led the way and her voice narrated a tale of being
lost. "Perfect Love", on the other hand, explored
finding true love as "a little death before dying."
Semi-morbid and usually abstract, this was an album that
was really "real."
Favorite Tracks: Closer to You, In the Darkness
Rating: 3.5 stars
06.22.05
Starting off on a positive melodious vibe, Warrick Hayes
brings a very abstract sort of sense to this album. His
track "Wish You Well" was selected as a VH1
Song of the Year finalist. It's easy to see why -- the
dark tone explored saying goodbye to someone. In it he
sings, "Goodbye is never as easy as blame/I wish
you well/I won't kiss and tell." With some enchanting
electric guitar chords ala Duncan Sheik's Gerry Leonard,
it adds a different tone to the music. The rest of the
songs are great acoustic rock/folk tunes with rumbling
chords. His voice, however, puts him in the mature folk
category, I'd say. Though by the end of the album, it's
hard to see the similarities to the first track, which
originally said to me this would be more of an upbeat
collection.
Favorite Tracks: Saving for a Rainy Day, Wish You
Well
Rating: 3 stars
06.15.05
These guys weave some hard alternative rock into meaningful
lyrics with pop sensibilities. With a soaring sound overall,
it was easy to see that from the first track ("Home"),
I would be intrigued by this band. In the track, they
sing, "Where do I go when I no longer/Have my setting
sun/Where do I go when I go wrong/I'm going home."
The tone here is energized rock in the vein of Switchfoot.
Us Jersey folks like the beach, too, so I was sure to
pay attention to "The Shore," a tune in which
the guys take a down-turn to a soft acoustic rock instrumental
complete with violin hints. The entire album was a powerful
meld of emotion placed into well-thought-out harmonies
and melodies that tapped my heartstrings.
Favorite Tracks: Home, The Shore
Rating: 5 stars
06.15.05
With a new CD out that is better than ever, this funky
folk acoustic album brings elements of the Beatles into
modern-day guitar rock. Similar to Walty, these acoustic
pop fanatics have kept their latest album simple, while
creating a sound not commonly heard nowadays. "Asleep
With the Fireflies" was my favorite track; starting
out with an easy breezy melody that morphed into a disco-enchanted
chorus. Vocals are unique, semi-high pitched ala Jason
Mraz. But it's the group's unique sound that earns them
a high star-rating.
Favorite Tracks: Asleep With the Fireflies, Above
the Clouds
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Kristen
Fischer
DiscoveringArtists.com
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