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| This great album is finally released on a bigger label. If you havent got the old version of this album you have to buy yourself a copy at once. Its such a great singer songwriter album with such a cool vibe that you very seldom hear these days. Aimee got a lot of help from the producer Jon Brion (ex The Grays) and Michael Penn. Well I think oull get the grip. Shes as good as the two guys. Give the album a few listenings and youll have a new favorite for sure. Great stuff. |
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| Aimee Mann who used to sing in Til Tuesday gained some well earned success with the music from the Magnolia soundtrack a few years back. And on his new album she continues to deliver beautiful thoughtful singer songwriter pop with a folk edge. All in a modern sounding production with a popedge. Its a nice album and if you have her other albums in the collection this is sure a must. If you havent got stuff by her I could say that you have missed something. Imagine a mix between Chrissie Hynde and Shawn Colvin and were quite ahead of the girl and her music. Solid release without getting exceptional. |
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| On her new album Aimee Mann continues to deliver solid and mature singer songwriter rock. Nothing new under the sun, but Aimee is a good storyteller and songwriter and that combined with her characteristic voice makes the result more or less always good. This album isn?t her best to date though, but still worth investigating in if you´re a fan of her previous work. Joe Henry´s production is quite safe and straight forward for being him, and I would have loved to hear him take the side road and add these weird sounds and arrangements he uses on his own production from time to time. Now it´s a safe journey that is quite boring actually. |
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| Here is the second out from this unknown girl...Well is it as good as the first one? To tell you the truth - both yes and no. Its not as hitorientated as the first album was. Its more mature and flowerpower. i like the album. The first single "Thank U" was brilliant. The Beck/Bjork-kinda "Cant Not" is a cool tune and "Heart Of The House" is brilliant. If you bought the first Alanis, buy this too. If you didnt like her back then, dont bother now either. |
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I used to like Alanis Morissette, I really did. Her first album is a milestone within female rock and it included hits like Ironic, Hand In My Pocket and You Learn. Then something happened during later albums, she drifter more into mainstream and I almost lost interest in her. On her latest album I was hoping to get some of that rock back, the rock that made her famous and had tons of attitude and edge. Maybe there has been too many knock-offs and that has forced her to go different ways.
So what can you expect from the latest album? Well, if you are a fan of her first albums and not so much the later ones you will not like this. Alanis has incorporated a lot of keyboards and sometimes I get the feeling that Timbaland has something to do with the production. Luckily he does not but the sound is similar to his style, if that gives you a hint of what it sounds like. Alanis has been quoted saying that she wanted to make an album that makes you “dance your face off”. That is not the style I come to think of when I think of Alanis Morrisette. It almost got an industrial vibe of most of the songs. Very weird indeed!
Some songs are just aweful, like the horrific Straightjacket, not good at all! I cannot say I am a big fan of Versions of Violence or Citizen of the World either, what is she doing? When you put on an album with Alanis you expect something that catches you attention and grips you, not something that makes you want to skip a track. Songs like Underneath and Tapes are the closest that we come to a “normal” Alanis-song and those songs are the least bad ones on this album.
This is not an album for fans of her early work; this is an album for fans of Portishead and similar band. I really cannot recommend this album as a good rock album. If you want to keep your illusion of Alanis as a cool rock chick, stay clear of this album! I am very disappointed. |
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Alanis Morisette is squinting against the sun on the cover of her eighth album, "Havoc and Bright Lights." You can catch a glimpse of a mountain and in the foreground you can see even a few faded flowers. It's a little sweet, but the content feels tired and totally inspired unfortunately. However, it represents pretty good what Canadian singer stands for today as she’s trying to hard try to keep up with today's music climate. A little sad when she once stood for soul, attitude and cool songs as on "Jagged Little Pill" and "Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie" that both are really good album.
After it has gone downhill and this new album is no exception. There are good tracks as first single "Guardian" which is really good and is a classic Alanis hit. "Lens" and "Receive" are also tracks of high class, but unfortunately the record is totally over-produced and completely lacks of any kind of soul. Really hates the digital sound she has put on, which doesn’t suit her at all. No, she really needs to get back to what she once was and deliver organic and "real" music that people can relate to.
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| A brand new collection with Alannah and you can wonder why the hell theyre releasing a best of with her after just one hit-single. Well here it is with two new tracks for us. The two new tracks are really nice melodic rocktunes in the Heart school but I wouldnt pay full price for this compilation if you have her older stuff allready. If you havent got her stuff and enjoy melodic girlfronted rock this is a sure check up. |
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The third and final instalment of Alex?s series of classical inspired releases music that started off with the very successful "In the Name of Bach" and followed last year by "In the Name of Mozart".
Alex Masi performs some of Beethoven?s most classic work on classical guitar and electric guitar,it?s all very well performed and I doubt that Yngwie Malmsteen could?ve played these pieces without messing them up with lightspeed scales on his guitarneck and as enjoyable as Masi does.
However I feel the 9 minute versions of "Sonata no.01" and "Romance for violin no.5" are just a bit too long and the whole idea of making these classical tributes maybe only is for his own sake.....coz how many out there can say with the hand on their heart that they have Masi?s salute to Beethoven streaming in their homes all day long?! |
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Those that are into instrumental guitar rock knows who Alex Masi is and he?s now back with brand new soloalbum.
This is a very varied instrumental album where Alex mixes hardrock riffs with fusion and jazzrock, the whole album is very well played and produced and there?s no doubt about that.
The drums are played by his MCM band mate and former Yngwie Malmsteen, Ark drummer John Macaluso.
Those that waits for a Alex Masi album with a neo-classic sound should think again before buying his new album.
This new album is like I said more varied and leans more into fusion and jazz sounding rock than neo-classic rock. This is for instrumental guitarplayers that are into a more experimental music journey. Alex takes you on a ride in his very own musical universe. |
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| Singer songwriters can be the most boring and pretentious music you can listen to if it?s done the wrong way. Or it can be a beautiful and thoughtful island in the ocean of music that pass by my ears every day. Alexi sure has a place on that island, cause this is a VERY beautiful four song EP somewhere between Wilco, David Gray, Coldplay and Lloyd Cole but also with a retro-vibe from the early 70?s Nick Drake albums. And he sure plays in the same division. First out ?It?s Only Fear? is very nice, but it?s in the second song it?s happening. The awesome ?Orange Sky? with a soft drumbeat, an acoustic guitar and Alexi?s cool slideguitar painting a song, so beautiful. So naked. So soft. It?s just a four piece EP and my desire is a full-length album from this guy soon. It will be a killer. And if a guy like Daniel Lanois would produce it, I could just imagine the result. That without saying that this EP is bad produced. Not at all. It?s very well produced. But Lanois together with this beautiful voice. Phew. Probably the best CD I would hear that year. I must mention last one out also ? ?Song For You? cause it is so beautiful. Do yourself a favour a buy yourself a copy of this EP now. One of the best voices I have heard in a long time. |
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| Allison Moorer is back with a new album and all musicjournalists around the world shouts out that she´s the hope for the singer songwriter scene. Sure, I like Allison sweet and soft acoustic country-esque singer songwriter pop as well. But THAT good?? Well, both yes and no. Sure, great penned tunes such as the soft "No Place For The Heart" and the groovy "Ruby Jewel Was Here" are two really good tunes. And the rest is good. No doubt about that. But as I said earlier is it THAT good as all reviewers think Well no I would say. No without saying for a minute that she´s bad. Just cool and an album that´s good to play while taking care about the dish or in the back during your teaparty with the neighbours. |
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| Oscar and Grammy nominated songwriter Allison Moorer returns with a refined collection of songs that mark a stylistic departure from her previous work. On Crows, Moorer combines an astonishing vocal performance with new material primarily written on piano, rather than guitar. Produced by celebrated Nashville producer R.S. Field (Buddy Guy, John Mayall), this is a way that I´m really happy that Allison took. It´s a damn fresh album and Allisons lovely pure and fresh voice combined with the fragile production from R.S Field is a perfect combination. The first track out "Abalone Sky" set the tone and after that you find great tracks like "Just Another Foot", the Bonnie Raitt-smelling "When You Wake Up Feeling Bad" and the wonderful soft "Easy In The Summertime". Just great. Allison is the best there is to get in this genre of music right now. And then we´re talking a genre with girls and ladies like Shawn Colvin and Bonnie Raitt. Then you understand how good she is... |
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Location:Toronto,Canada
Discography:Alive (2006)
Bandmembers:Annie Marleau - Vocals,Jeff Veltri - Guitar,Andrew Veltri - Bass,Jeff Eden - Drums
Influences:The Doors,Alanis Morrisette,Blondie,Cyndi Lauper
Will appeal to fans of:Fleetwood Mac,Sheryl Crow,Liz Phair,Texas
Album tracks Total length:36,13
1.Addicted (3,30)
2.Spreading lies (3,53)
3.Alive (3,32)
4.Sensitive (4,07)
5.Hypnotized (3,52)
6.Alone (3,57)
7.Run (3,13)
8.Move on (3,12)
9.Look to the sun (3,52)
10.Vanity (3,01)
Kaj?s final words:There?s a 70?s feel going through the debut album from Annie Marleau,this Canadian chick takes you both to the prairies of Texas as well as the small rock clubs in San Fransisco.
Her rootsy rock has traces of many different genres such as country,folkrock,indie and singer/songwriter rock - her single "Addicted" has been in the number one spot on the IAC (Independent Artists Company) Alternative Pop Rock charts for the past 4 weeks.
She has a very emotional voice that makes me believe in every word she sings,the beautiful "Hypnotized" and "Run" are living proof of that independent artists like Marleau don?t need the tv show Idol to fulfill their dreams. |
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What truly makes Ariel´s music so enticing is her voice. The vocals are reminiscent of a softer yet more candid Alanis Morissette (at times). Other times you may ask yourself just who this girl is and she is 100 per cent ready to tell you through her songs.
Where this girl shines though is in her live performances, which can sound nothing like the entire CD (this is a good thing). Her band provides more power and invites the crowd to listen to every thought provoking lyric while on stage.
Tracks to check out are "Age", "Loud and Clear", You´re Better Than Me and of course the pop melody "A Sweet Goodbye".
The one downside to the CD may be the lack of variety when it comes to the songs. Some songs may seem a lot like the last one, but then again, if it ain´t broke don´t fix it. |
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A perfect album for the coming spring is Ben Montague's major label debut Tales Of Flying And Falling. Filled with pop / rock like The Script and Scouting For Girls he offers warm and well-made pop that is made for radio. However, Ben has a more singer / songwriter emphasized sound like David Gray and Gavin Degraw, which makes it slightly softer than the bands I compared him with.
So if you like well-made pop / rock with a great production that is Tales Of Flying And Falling a given album to check out. Ben sings really well and the album offers a perfect balance of up-tempo and more mellow tracks!
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