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06.15.05
At first listen, it's clear that Luce will take each listener
on a positive journey through a maze of acoustic rock
and jam band-esque tunes. They have the unique stylings
of Barenaked Ladies or Weezer, yet maintain their own
musical design throughout the collection of electronic
music. This is ideal road trip music, just a happy collection.
"Sweetest Smile" has an upbeat melody and such
a comfortable feel to it, like dusting off your Birkenstocks
for the summer. The title track has a Brit rock tone to
it, as the band rocks out European style. There aren't
any wallowing songs on this album, though there are a
few more serious in nature; just a great collection of
catchy tunes that stay positive.
Favorite Tracks: Outside of it All, Sweetest Smile
Rating: 4.5 stars
06.15.05
Similar to Ben Lee or Fountains of Wayne, these guys teamed
up to create an abstract album with echoes of Ben Folds.
Their music isn't anything ground-shaking in the sense
that it'll help you touch base with your emotions, but
it is great storytelling and also plays on simplicity
to make it enticing. "Marylou" is a song that
is starting to turn heads, and sounds sort of Beatlesque.
With some spoken word and some "I Am the Walrus"-sounding
background, this song tells a tale of young love and confusion.
It seems these guys use their childhoods as the basis
for their songwriting, which is sort of refreshing. Their
sound was great, but I personally wish the tunes had more
relatable meaning.
Favorite Tracks: Marylou, But Do You Trust Me?
Rating: 3.5 stars
06.01.05
With sultry vocals that convey extreme emotion, Cameron
Dezen emerges with her latest album. There are 10 tracks
that show her softer side, each adorned with honest lyrics
in a poetic menagerie of beauty. "Just Like Me"
takes the listener into a semi-trip-hop world, while "Miami"
shows the wide range of Dezen's vocals to move the soul.
In "Enough" she sings, "I guess you want
to see me/I guess you want to see me cry." From the
first song ("Waiting") the listener can gauge
the intense beauty of this album, as simple piano chords
and notes combine with a soaring voice that inspires.
The piano rhythms are compelling and chilling at the same
time, as Dezen haunts us with her feminine honesty. Words
can't adequately describe how beautiful this album is,
hanging in a resonance between Anna Nalick, Sarah McLachlan
and Katie Trotta. In this album is immense beauty that
is unveiled by pressing "play."
Favorite Tracks: Miami, Waiting (The Promise)
Rating: 5 stars
06.01.05
In the vein of Jen Foster and other girl rockers like
Alice Peacock who keep it real with edgy-yet-feminine
acoustic rock, Tara Leigh Cobble has advanced to the top
of the list. Her vocals are pristine and have a soaring
quality to them. In the title track, she gets a little
bluesy and deep in this sort of autobiographical song.
"Hard to Get" has a compelling entry as Cobble
sings spiritually about her faith, while she gets bluesy
again in the vein of Ani DiFranco in "Back When (You
Used to Adore Me)." She surpasses many genre lines
throughout this collection, but her vocals stay tried
and true.
Favorite Tracks: Hard to Get, I Wonder
Rating: 4 stars
06.01.05
Skip to Track 2 and you'll get the true essence of this
band. With lead vocals similar to Alex Woodard, this band
returns with another album that is more refined. They
maintain their British pop edge with "Long Way Down"
as they sing, "When everyone falls/When everyone
feels like the things they thought/Were pictures and images
from long ago." This song has good "road trip"
rhythm. Closing with "I Will Surround You",
the band poetically tones it down for a dreamy end tune,
singing "Over and over I catch myself/I could never,
will never let you down." Overall, it was good to
hear from these guys again, with a more refined sound
that lends a hand to classical electronic guitar interludes.
Favorite Tracks: I Will Surround You, Long Way
Down
Rating: 3.5 stars
05.24.05
Honest songwriting is such a rarity these days, but Amy
Lennard nails it on this album. From the first song, "I
Wish It Were Mine," she opens up about being happy
for a friend, yet jealous. She weaves a delicate balance
of acoustic rock and semi-folk into this album, and all
you can feel is her voice, her words, resonate. She takes
a hip, classic rock style to boot in "Please Don't",
and exudes an edge that brings her full circle, touching
upon nearly every musical genre, by the fifth and final
track on the album. "I'm Free" ends the album
with another honest track ala Lucinda Williams, and you
can hear Lennard sing from her soul.
Favorite Tracks: I Wish It Were Mine, I'm Free
Rating: 4 stars
05.24.05
He's got dark yet dreamy vocals as this album ala Pete
Yorn, Alex Woodard or Wilco emerges with "Great Admirer."
In it, he sings, "Consider me the great admirer/Laying
low until she tires/Of his heavy hands/His promises, his
plans/But don't believe him/He's just fooling again."
And don't forget to check out "Maybe You're a Heart,"
a heartfelt, acoustic masterpiece with great bass lines
and swift vocals. His sound is mature, but definitely
worth checking out, due its professional sound, amazing
acoustics (his guitarist played with Alice Peacock) and
Prall's deep, well-toned vocals.
Favorite Tracks: Saturday's Changed, Maybe You're
a Heart
Rating: 4 stars
05.24.05
I love that Bryan Adams is back! These tunes reflect a
modern sound yet still contain his gritty vocals that
can only belong to him. "This Side of Paradise"
tells a story of Adams recollecting his earlier days,
even making note of the year 1969 (remember "Summer
of '69"? Yeah, this IS the guy!) He talks about life
being lonely, but the sound of the song is upbeat, not
reflecting that at all. The last album I heard from him
(there were others since), definitely wasn't as good as
this one. It's complete with love ballads, and "Flying"
is the best one, in my opinion. In it, he sings, "Feels
just like flying /We're such a long way up from the ground
/Just you and me flying - so high 'n I'm never gonna come
down /Every time you turn around and wanna run - oh come
to me." It's nice to hear from Adams, and this album
is probably going to garner some much-deserved resurrection
attention.
Favorite Tracks: Flying, Nowhere Fast
Rating: 4 stars
05.24.05
While the meaning of this group's album means to release
energy, it's clear that they do so in a beautiful way
— in a relaxing, thought-provoked trip-hop way.
That's right, you can hear moving trip hop, electronica
sounds via Zero 7 and Mono throughout this album. You
won't hear the usual DiscoveringArtists.com meld of "great
lyrics" that "evoke emotion" here, but
we think you'll dig this collection. The ambiance here
is chill, as the Austrian duo of Peter Koellerer &
Thomas Viehboeck create a relaxing album. The song "Inner
Journey" on the album was named runner up winners
in the VH1 Save the Music contest. It's clear to see that
good things come imported.
Favorite Tracks: Forty-two, Circuit
Rating: 3.5 stars
05.11.05
Smooth acoustic rock sounds make this album a good listen
— powerful, thought and faith-based lyrics make
it shine. He doesn't defer to religion, only to aspects
of love. Formerly of the band StephenSpeaks, TJ McCloud's
vocals are pure and smooth, similar to Bebo Norman or
Dave Barnes. Every song on this album had beautiful meaning
as McCloud explores relationships and his beliefs. "Falling
Faster" is a prime example as he sings, "How
do I know this is love?/How do I know when my heart beats
fast enough?/How can I ever be sure/When my heart's been
heart before?" He's got a couple songs on there that
are about romantic relationships, and expose the emotions
entailed. Everyone can relate to these lyrics, and it
will be fun watching this rising star go further.
Favorite Tracks: I Am, At Last My Past
Rating: 5 stars
05.11.05
Josh Rouse has a charming sound similar to Josh Kelley,
but with a little more intrinsic, vintage value, or so
it seems. His music is like sitting in Starbucks listening
to moving sounds that you can simply relax to. These sounds
aren't so much Nashville, because there is no country
here, only some Southern roots. "It's the Nighttime"
is an easy-sounding song with catchy hooks, while "Sad
Eyes" throws some piano in while Rouse sings, "You're
so young/And so bored/You were staying out 'till late/Cause
it was what your husband hated But oh, it's too bad/Cause
he's stolen all your happiness and good times." His
music is compelling and has an AM radio effect and some
Beatlesque hooks, similar to that of Josh Ritter. Folk
rock it is, with acoustic charms and a dreamy voice to
match. There's nothing direct in the lyrics, you won't
always find feelings you relate to, but it was a great
listen and I'm a sucker for abstract stuff.
Favorite Tracks: It's the Nighttime, Life
Rating: 4.5 stars
05.11.05
The first track tossed this album off track, but do keep
listening, it gets much, much better. Jesse Free has a
deep voice and the piano playing borders on elegant throughout
this fun piano rock album. "Troubles Ahead"
has a catchy beat as he sings, "Someone brought me
in this life, How I wish they could take me out."
He has a song "Complicated Relationships" that
talks openly about needing to exit a partnership. His
vocals need more refining, but the album was a decent
listen.
Favorite Tracks: Mashed Potatoes, Troubles Ahead
Rating: 3.5 stars
0501.05
Think Ben Folds meets jazz, somewhere in the world of
Harry Connick, Jr. We've got a little Keane in the sense
that this is piano rock, but otherwise, this guy is really
in a league of his own, combining piano rock with jazz
and some serious sappy singer-songwriter qualities. In
"Some Tight Fix," McLaughlin sings, "I’ll
be alright and you’ll be okay/You won’t have
to see my face and something will take my place."
Though some songs venture up-tempo, McLaughlin can still
craft a compelling love song as he's done in "Already
In," a heartfelt track sure to make the ladies swoon
and guys wish they could write like him. In it, he sings,
"Everyone back my hearts at war/With all the plans
I had before/I’m losing my grip but I’d lose
it all for you." If you dig modern jazz and still
like to rock out, I highly recommend this CD.
Favorite Tracks: Already In, Some Tight Fix
Rating: 5 stars
05.01.05
With a great alternative vibe, a professional sound, well-toned
vocals and meaningful lyrics, this is the kind of CD that
says DiscoveringArtists.com. These guys have been featured
on MTV, NBC and the WB, so it's no wonder I'm digging
this sound. In "Sugarcane," John Lardieri sings,
"I will not count on anyone/That way disappointment
never comes/But I count the days since you went away."
This band deserves to be in the national spotlight and
I hope that's where they're headed. Get the CD —
that is all I have to say.
Favorite Tracks: Between the Eyes, Sugarcane
Rating: 5 stars
05.01.05
Take some Coldplay and Dave Matthews Band and fuse it
with a jam-band sort of jazz. That's what Blue Merle is
all about. Rumors are true: lead singer Luke Reynold's
voice is a spot-on for Coldplay's Chris Martin, but that
doesn't discount his chords from rising to meet amazing
music. There's no bluegrass here; only a pop-friendly
meld of mandolin-fronted tunes. This band has enough originality
to remain unmanufactured in sound, and enough pop sense
to make it big.
Favorite Tracks: Burning in the Sun, Seeing Through
You
Rating: 4.5 stars
05.01.05
He's got a mature sound with some nice rhythms, which
is why it was nice to hear this Chris Isaak vibe coming
back on this 7-track CD. In "The Undoing (Everyday)"
he sings, "Can these hands of mine/Unslap this child/Can
you teach his tears to turn around." The songs are
kind of haunting with their folk yet gothic sounds, and
have this indefinable nature about them. They all are
professional in sound and recommended for our mature listeners
due to the sophisticated, un-radio like sound.
Favorite Tracks: The Undoing (Everyday), Disgrace
Rating: 3.5 stars
05.01.05
The songwriting is heartfelt and emotional, but my first
vibe from James Marshall's latest album is that he needs
more work vocally. I felt like he was trying too hard
to make his lyrics raspy. Otherwise, this musician has
promise with great melodies and writing. The harmonies
are well varied and he mixes up the sweet songs with the
ability to rock out in a few of them. In "Forever
and a Day" he sings, "I'll leave day."
Comparisons? A smidgen of Fooling April with some typical
indie singer-songwriter taste.
Favorite Tracks: Forever and a Day, Moving Away
Rating: 3 stars
04.12.05
Her sound is like listening to old time radio —
but it's modernized with plush rhythms and a spooky voice
that sails from highs to lows and back again. Lyrically,
I feel as if I've just opened up a beautiful, old leather
book with grand gestures spilled into her words. "Conversation
Piece" had a mystical undertone to it, and I felt
as if I was walking the streets of Paris on a cold, rainy
night. Most of her songs are like that. I thought Nancy
Sinatra and Norah Jones were the only new old-style singers
— but Lewis is in a realm of her own. In "Valentine's
Day," she sings, "Henry and I will never be
friends/He has these wandering hands you see/Snuff out
the candle so we can't see/Anything, anymore/Only feel."
Brilliant, this CD is, bringing a sound that was otherwise
lost in the 40s into the 21st century.
Favorite Tracks: Old Friends, Conversation Piece
Rating: 5 stars
04.12.05
When their national hit "December" graced the
radio, I'll admit, I got tired of hearing it. But Collective
Soul is back, and their new album not only features a
dynamite acoustic version of the track, but seven others
that are amazing as well. In "Youth", the band
takes a soft, acoustic rock sound and highlights compelling
lyrics about growing up. "You said/We would be golden/When
we grow old." Their track "She Said" features
more grainy lyrics and some semi-intricate acoustics,
yet their alternative rock roots shine through. I feel
a well-refined mature vibe from the band, and although
the tunes tend to stay on the semi-bland side, I am pleased
to endorse their work.
Favorite Tracks: Perfect to Stay, Youth
Rating: 4 stars
04.12.05
Now I know why people keep raving about Liz Stahler --
her CD is brilliant. Wisdom and thoughtfulness are exuded
throughout this collection of professionally sounding
tunes that each have a distinct sound. Her vocals are
delicate yet rusty, while remaining simple in sound, and
they sing of holding in feelings and missing loved ones.
She sounds a little like Anna Nalick, but retains a closer
comparison to Catie Curtis or Jonatha Brooke. In "3,000
Miles" she sings, "I almost started to cry/Cuz
I could still feel you breathe/But I'm still 3,000 miles
away/3 hours ahead in the day." Country-haters beware:
"Bible Belt" and "Angelina" have a
little Southern sound to them, but nothing that any Stephen
Kellogg or Josh Kelley admirer can't look past. Songwriting
shines throughout this album, and it's clear that Stahler
will resonate in the music industry throughout the future.
Favorite Tracks: 3,000 Miles, Didn't You Know
Rating: 4 stars
04.12.05
With a voice similar to Kim Carnes in "Bette Davis
Eyes", Katie Terrio steps out with a great girl rock
album. In "Letters" she sings, "We all
have feelings we can't see/We all have lovers we can't
keep." She doesn't go too delicately, as exhibited
in "Everything You Are" and "Memory"
where she takes an edgy tone. I liked her sound and her
lyrics, but her vocals sounded like she was trying a little
too hard, and something tells me she didn't need to.
Favorite Tracks:
My Turn, Letters
Rating: 3.5 stars
04.12.05
What a strong start to a CD -- "Saturday Night Thunderbolt"
didn't mean too much lyrically upon first listen, but
the sound was great. Fun and intoxicating, sort of like
being at a college frat party. Sure, they sound a lot
like Blink 182 or Good Charlotte, but what's the harm
in a band that moves along with the musical trend? Ludo
shows promise due to witty lyrics and a whimsical sound
that jams out. The gem of the album is a little track
about nostalgia called, "Ode to Kevin Arnold,"
in which they sing, "When the world was all just
me and Paul playing football in the street/And Winnie
Cooper was my love." Great album, with a track called,
"Girls on Trampolines." Now what does that make
you think of?
Favorite Tracks: Ode to Kevin Arnold, Sara's Song
Rating: 4 stars
03.28.05
With vocals that twinge on the Bon Jovi side, this band
brings a modern alternative rock edge to the table with
spectacular sound variations and lyrics that breed honesty.
In, "When You're Gone," lead singer Todd Wright's
voice soars as he sings, "But I can see you don't
care/Through your pretty little painful stare." This
amazing track "Long Night" sounded a little
Graham Colton Band-like to me, with simple lyrics that
are killer, conveying deeper-rooted emotions. I usually
don't dig songs with other names of girls ("Madeline")
because, well, that excludes "Kristen." But
this track was rich and deep, an emotional outcry for
love. I love when a band can put something so touching
out there — even if it's about a gal with a strange
name that reminds me of English girls in rainslickers.
Definitely a CD to pick up from a band that, in my opinion,
has a bright future.
Favorite Tracks: All Time
Low, Madeline
Rating: 5 stars
03.28.05
Self-produced by Sage and mixed by Kevin Killen (Kate
Bush, Elvis Costello, Marc Cohn), this album has a sound
that feels like vintage lace. Her lyrics are cleverly
written, and tell stories of life in a way that is poetic
and dripping with beauty. This is an album of burlesque
ballads, indeed. Her vocals are the epitome of feminine
as she sings in "Bravest Fear" about freedom
in death. Yes, the album can be a little dark, but it's
real — and it's just a really "pretty"
listen.
Favorite Tracks: Bravest Fear, It's So Hard
Rating: 4.5 stars
03.28.05
I'm confident that the water in Texas has something magical
about it, because from it, great singer-songwriters grow.
Matt White encompasses all the artists I adore: John Mayer,
Josh Kelley, Gavin DeGraw and David Jackson Project...the
list goes on. Point is, this dude can take a catchy guitar
riff and built a song around it that examines life and
love with perfection. Vocally, I hear a lot of Broussard,
but style wise, he's everywhere in this album, going from
slow thoughtful tracks to the good rustic jams. In the
complexly stringed, "Love Dies," he sings, "I
never cry/I never do what people do when love dies/But
I can try/I never tried/I never do what you do when love
dies." Thoughtful, rhythmic, and a good jam out,
this CD is spectacular and I envision this band going
far. After all, they are from Texas!
Favorite Tracks: Too Many Lovers, Take a Chance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Kristen
Fischer
DiscoveringArtists.com
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