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01.17.05
Do you remember Sublime circa 1996? This band is very
similar to them, with a rhytmic sound that propels you
to groove yet rock out ala Simple Plan alternative rock.
In "Sight of the Blind", Mike and Steu sing,
"You always say to never leave/But you walked away/You
stepped away from my solid ending." The album takes
on a harder alternative edge as it goes, but it's great
in sound for those who like a metallic distinction with
thoughtful, honest vocals.
Favorite Tracks: Sight of the Blind (SOB), Dreams
Rating: 3 stars
01.17.05
I wouldn't listen to this CD in my car on a regular basis,
but it was an interesting listen — professionally
done with good vocals and an intrinsic tribal sort of
vibe. Phyllis Addison brings fun to a chic blend of rock,
raggae, Indian, African and world music. Think Enya meets
Erykah Badu...sort of like doing fast-paced yoga on a
mountaintop. There wasn't much introspection in the lyrics,
but their phrases were repetitively calming.
Favorite Tracks: Baptism, Real Love
Rating: 3 stars
01.17.05
She's got a bit of jazzy, R&B to her style, and though
this is a little too girly in sound for me, it bears resemblance
to Alex Bach or Cindy Alexander. Her lyrics are sassy
and smart, exuding strength and wisdom — though
there's nothing truly thoughtful, heart wrenching in here.
It's not my normal listen, but it was a notable CD to
mention.
Favorite Tracks: Bring It On, Live and Die
Rating: 2.5 stars
01.01.05
This album features the intoxicating lead gritty vocals
that only Garen can introduce, with an electrically and
emotionally charged lead song, "On My Own."
Similar in sound to Live, this NJ-based band is gaining
popularity with this album. They still blend the acoustic
rock of their past albums into this one; as is evident
with a listen to "Uncovered", a melodic-folk
track with some studio adornments. In it, Garen sings,
"Everything would be just fine/If maybe we could
pass time well/We're leaving this all uncovered."
Professional in sound, this album is full of thoughtful
lyrics that brew a raw blend of emotions.
Favorite Tracks: On My Own, Vigil
Rating: 4.5 stars
12.31.04
I've been waiting to hear this album for some time now
– and it's arrived in style! From first listen
to "Firefly", the energizing track re-mastered
with spectacular vocals and super up-tempo backup arrangements
and the signature keys that make this band so exotic,
I was lured. Keys are the word, and "Backslide"
features an enticing entry with some raw alternative rock
background electric guitar ranges. "She's With Me"
takes on a little Maroon 5 ala "Sunday Morning",
as Brian Kenneth sings adoringly, "She's with me/And
the whole world can know now/Finally we're making it known/'Cross
the room, one look can show me/All I need is in her."
And thank goodness the band managed to get in "E-Dumped",
a hysterical Ben Folds-like track about the wonders of
online relationships in an age of IM-based romances.
Favorite Tracks: Firefly, E-Dumped
Rating: 4 stars
12.31.04
When I first heard "A Million Miles" about a
million years ago, I couldn't wait to get the full album.
And though it wasn't as good as that one song, it was
still a great album. Clean sound, girl rock that wasn't
too edgy; yet possessed strength and thoughtfulness. Bedricky
has a voice that is true, and raw -- yet it flows and
she can take it from emotional to angelic. "Beautiful"
is a typical love song, and Bedricky does it in true pop
style with a twinge of Sheryl Crow. Overall, this album
is a nice listen if you're into Crow, The Bangles or Maren
Ord.
Favorite Tracks: A Million Miles, Beautiful
Rating: 4 stars
12.31.04
Jennifer Getz tells stories during this album; stories
that strike a remembrance of our own tales as she sings
about past relationships. "Me in Your Bag" is
electrically charged, yet Getz keeps her vocals clean
and pure-sounding. "You" had this really moving
acoustic and electric guitar arrangement, and in it she
sings, "You were the news they said to watch/You
were the picture on my clock while waving me above your
hands." If nothing else, this song is sure to please,
a slow pop-acoustic gem. I could tell by the title of
"Beautiful Without Me" that it would be the
somber song on the album, and it is -- a shining spotlight
of her voice that reflects like Saba does with her slow,
thoughtful tracks. This isn't an album that will stay
in my stereo long, but it's perfect for a quiet, reflective
evening.
Favorite Tracks: You, Bonus Track #11
Rating: 3.5 stars
12.31.04
With a reggae feel, Todd Carey has blended sweet acoustic
rock into a fun, thoughtful album -- there's a little
Michael Tolcher in here, but not as much funk. "Honest"
has a bit of a "Red Red Wine" (UB40) feel to
it, while "Everytime" takes on a little finger
picking guitar jams ala Dave Matthews Band. "Photograph"
is a slow song, in which Carey remembers an old love when
looking at a photograph. His lyrics didn't grip me; they
only grabbed me. But the sound was authentic, and worth
mention.
Favorite Tracks: Photograph, Daydream
Rating: 3.5 stars
12.14.04
With one listen to her new CD, I was hooked on what is
a slight change in style for this Southern belle gone
New York City gal. She sticks true to her roots but enhances
them with a rumbling merge of acoustics, overlaying them
with vocals that can only be described as angelic. Her
strums are little softer, with just the right chick rock
aspect that gives Ani DiFranco her edge. But Diable's
vocals sounds more like Jessica Simpson, who does have
a nice set of pipes despite all of the pop-remixed crap
on the radio. Songwriting: True, deep, honest; exploring
the emotions and questions we all have inside. "The
Carpenter" has this allure to it, a slow tune with
simple acoustics that let Diable's voice resonate in the
sweetly magnificent ways that it can as she sings, "And
I lay down in his bed, thinkin' I am broken/And he puts
me back together again, together again/You got a lot of
heartbreak in you, for somebody who always knew/But refused
to recognize, well you know how hard I tried." This
will be the song that gets her noticed, an enchanting,
absolutely lush mix of sweet vocals and moving instrumental
backing. "Badly" was remixed with a little SoCal
flavor to it (aka bongos ala Jason Mraz) . All in all,
this is a wonderful acoustic medley of tracks; showing
Diable's evolution as an up-and-comer.
Favorite Tracks: Badly, The Carpenter
Rating: 5 stars
12.14.04
Lush guitar arrangements in the most well-recorded menagerie
I've encountered from an alternative/grunge band thus
far make this album stand out well. "Been Alone"
is the gem of this album; a track that belongs on the
radio rather than stuck inside a CD on the indie store
shelves. Professional in sound, I would compare this band
to Live; they have those sometimes stinging lyrics that
stick with you and the powerful bass and electric in the
background give the tunes just as much power as the lead
singer, John Cusimano, who sings them. If you like the
harder stuff, this CD has earned a proper place for being
anti-garage recorded – but still retained a little
Jovi-esque love to get a review here. It's not my ideal
genre, but was worth passing on.
Favorite Tracks: Been Alone, Far Away
Rating: 3.5 stars
12.14.04
This is sort of like The Pretenders or The Corrs go singer-songwriter
acoustic style, and Wilson's vocals shine admist a backdrop
of what sometimes sounds a little like the 80s. Her lyrics
are chock full of stinging meanings, especially in "Suffer"
when she sings, "It boggles my mind/Suffer my love/Simple
trips that span/the visions of the borders of your time."
She has this very mysterious sultry matter about her music,
which makes for an intriguing listen. We've got a dash
of soul here as well.
Favorite Tracks: Suffer, Anonymous
Rating: 3 stars
12.14.04
I think if you dig The Cure or OAR you may enjoy this band. "Breathe" is a nice single with a great sound, but I wanted a little more clarity out of the vocals. Better recording would have enhanced the listen for me. The 5-track album has this semi Brit rock capability to it, sort of Beatlesque. But the deep vocals need work. This is a band that has potential, because the composure of these rock-n-roll tracks has potential.
Favorite Tracks: Breathe, Beautiful Girl
Rating: 3 stars
12.09.04
I couldn't exactly place this guy when I started listening. His genre is semi-indefinable. But after a full listen, I'd define him as a hybrid of Savage Garden, Enrique Iglesias and Blu Sanders. I know, a popish blend, but definitely a neat listen. His songwriting style is simple and rhymy, but the professional sounds in this album give each word highlighted meaning. I'm not sure that the guys will dig this CD, but girls will certainly swoon over the heartbreak-themed tracks.
Favorite Tracks: It's You, To the Sea
Rating: 4 stars
12.09.04
A little blues is nice every once in a while, and Queen
Esther brings a little Aretha into the mix. She's got
a voice crossing Lauryn Hill and Joss Stone, and this
mellow CD highlights her vocals nicely. It seems that
the industry is starting to stray from pop a little, bringing
in jazz and soul. If so, she has a place for industry
potential. She has a cover of "Stand by Your Man"
and it's to die for. If you're looking for a different
sound and you like some soul, give this a listen.
Favorite Tracks: Stand by Your Man, Promise Me
Rating: 3.5 stars
12.07.04
With spectacular alternative pop sensibilities, this band
has created a strong CD rich of electric guitar ranges
and powerful vocals in the vein of Alex Woodard. Aaron
Vaughn, the lead vocalist, has a rich yet gritty set of
pipes, and the his sound adds the touch of Red Letter
Print, Counting Crows or Graham Colton Band to the album
– but you can hear a little Staind in it, too. His
emotions come across clearly in "Something More"
as he sings, "I'm just needing something more from
you/Can't put my finger on it/But I can prove/It's not
right, it's not right/These things we do/I choose to lose/This
fight." A stellar semi-dark album with complete meaning
and great rock-and-roll substance.
Favorite Tracks: Nowhere Land, Let Me Be
Rating: 4.5 stars
12.07.04
With an angelic voice and peaceful acoustic folk stylings,
Beth Stalker makes her mark as a gem in the folk industry.
With spiritual undertones that provide a peaceful listen,
this CD shines. "Hold Me" features great acoustic
plucks as she sings, "Reach your hand to me/To pull
me from that place/Now I'm floating in your base/So won't
you hold me?" Similar in sound to Cara Aley, Dave
Barnes or Rachel Sage, I enjoyed this album.
Favorite Tracks: Hold Me, How Small I Am
Rating: 4 stars
11.29.04
I never watched American Idol, so I was shocked after
I put in this CD, went to look up information, and found
out this LeeAnn Rimes-like voice was from a runner up
on the show. Her music is certainly worth noting, because
it features soaring ballads that feature pure vocals and
moving piano interludes. She keeps away from country and
sticks to the sweet tunes that adorn our radio stations
and soap operas. Yet she maintains some rock-n-roll edge
in "Cardboard Castles", a tune that lets DeGarmo
show off her voice in true Kelly Clarkson/Maren Ord mode.
Still, this CD was worth a mention, because it sounded
so untainted and engaging. It's the kind of pop that you
hate admitting that you enjoy.
Favorite Tracks: Cardboard Castles, Blue Skies
Rating: 4 stars
11.18.04
Rich in melody, overflowing with delicate yet dark meanings
and resonance, Charlotte Martin has a dazzling future
– and you can tell the second you pop in this CD
and listen to "On Your Shore". With an orchestral
background in many of her songs, a salty yet soprano voice
and piano-playing that moves you, Martin proves she's
a staple in the female vocalist movement. Call her the
new Tori Amos; I call her brilliant no matter who she
sounds like. "Your Armor" is a sweet song about
getting close to someone, while "Up All Night"
takes a whimsical Ben Folds-ish tone to it in the keys.
"Beautiful Life" is a sentimental endearing
song, as she sings, "The sun may come up and go down
again/I'll still swear it's a beautiful life." Her
dark gothic side shines through, however, in "Madman",
a song that sounds like it belongs on Amos' To Venus
and Back. If nothing else, the bonus track cover song
of "Wild Horses" is a reason to purchase this
album. Seductive and sweet, Martin mixes her raw emotions
into engaging music that explores life's core emotions.
Favorite Tracks: Beautiful Life, Every Time it
Rains
Rating: 5 stars
11.18.04
I was taken. Allured. Absolutely floored with this CD.
Ari is so honest, and her piano melodies flow so well.
Similar to Shawn Colvin but crossing into Charlotte Martin
territory, this singer-songwriter has a bright future
if she sticks to this professional female vocalist sound.
In "Fill of Love" she sings, "I need someone
who can offer these things to me/And like me for who I
am and not walk away when things get nasty filthy and
dark." She sings of family angst and love, but does
so with such intensity, you'll be gripped, too. I think
I have a new favorite!
Favorite Tracks: And a Day, Fill of Love
Rating: 5 stars
11.18.04
Ahh, a brilliant Brit-esque sort of Rhett Miller sound
– somewhat bluesy, and a little rock-n-roll. Benfield
exudes a mature sound, with a voice that borders on soft
and dark. Amped up with some great bass lines, Benfield
crosses genres with the edgy "Don't Panic" and
tones it down with the finger-picked gem, "Be Love."
In "Ugly" he sings, "Now dear let's not
lose the thing we got/We talked, sometimes listened/But
we don't give up like we used to." Such a professional
sound and craftsmanship so pristine will give this guy
the leg up to kick off his national tour with success.
Recommended listening: great writing music.
Favorite Tracks: Be Love, Where Joy Kills Sorrow
Rating: 4 stars
11.18.04
It's like listening to the female version of Louden Wainwright...oh
wait, it is. Martha is the sister of the wonderful Rufus
and she breaks out with her own folk sound throughout
this invigorating album, which isn't her first. "I
Will Internalize" really hits home for those of us
who are on the analytical side. It's an honest song about
feeling the depth of life. Her music is mature, not to
bluegrassy to be considered solely folk. She yells out
a lot, in an abstract sort of way, so don't think you're
getting a smooth, happy album – she sings of pain
and love, beauty and darkness – and does so in an
obscure way. "How Soon" is a brilliant jazzy
song with stretching piano notes that bring an enticing
melody ala Rufus into the mix.
Favorite Tracks: I Will Internalize, How Soon
Rating: 3.5 stars
11.04.04
Catchy, intriguing and rhythmic enough to keep things
fun, this CD is brilliant. "Something's Changed"
opens up the album with the right tone -- upbeat, flowing
with dreamy, rasped vocals that adorn each track to perfection.
"Come With Me" is a soothing track ala Howie
Day and it's got those moving bass undertones as the backdrop
for heartfelt vocals by Michael Andrew. In "Can't
Catch Me (Dream)", he sings, "Flying as fast
as I can doesn't get me very far/My arms are wrapped around
you but you can be like the air/I'll get you." This
is one of the best albums I've gotten from an indie band
with an extremely bright future. They sound similar to
Cary Pierce, Evan and Jaron or Graham Colton prior to
his label release. Pick it up for an intoxicating mix
of dreamy tunes with an acoustic rock twist.
Favorite Tracks: Something's Changed, Window
Rating: 5 stars
11.01.04
Dreamy vocals and swoony acoustic rock jams make this
album a good listen. "Whole Lot of Love" was
recently featured on MTV's Real World San Diego, and contains
catchy pop hooks. Marc's sound cross between Dashboard
Confessional and Graham Colton Band, his rhythms sturdy
and vocals distinct, able to hit high notes with ease.
He's got an edge of that almost foreign-sounding accent
similar to Blink 182 or Simple Plan, but the New Yorker
is definitely all-American. In "Who the Hell are
You" he sings, "All I wanna be is who I know
I should be/Who I think I am has got to be better than
me." Marc was just submitted for Grammy consideration,
so things are looking bright for the California rocker,
who is also a member of the band Modern Day Hero.
Favorite Tracks: Whole Lot of Love, Won't Think
Twice
Rating: 4 stars
10.27.04
With a rhythmic female vocalist sound, Maggie Kim has
a very bright future. "Perfect" has a Toby Lightman/Bonnie
McKee edge to it, and Kim's got the sultry vocals to allure
listeners. "Coo" is a fun industrial sort of
track. In the slower R&B acousticish track "Just
Stay" she sings, "You said it's not the same
since you went away/I'm not the same since you went away/Tried
to believe as the wind blew through the leaves/Tried to
believe you would never leave/Just stay." Did I mention
she's got a rock version of Prince's "Raspberry Beret"?
It's a great pop version with rock undertones, all professionally
mixed. The great thing about Kim's music is that it's
hard to define. Is she power girl rock? Female indie?
Pop? Have fun figuring it out while listening to this
album.
Favorite Tracks: Just Stay
Rating: 4 stars
10.27.04
They sound a lot like Graham Colton Band mixed with a
little Creed, so it's no wonder I was grasped by their
sound. "The Shape I'm In" was my favorite track,
and in it lead singer, Kyle Campbell sings, "Nobody
here knows the shape that I'm in/Been broken and battered
before we began." I can't wait to hear him refine
his vocals a bit, but overall — he's got a great
lead tone. Some wonderful raging guitars and throaty drums
give this album its professional edge. They get a good
star rating for a well-thought album with a great sound
and luring pop hooks sure to give them even more potential.
Favorite Tracks: The Shape I'm In
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Kristen
Fischer
DiscoveringArtists.com
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