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| It is kinda strange why I write about this album here at the melodic net, and perhaps even stranger that I like it. Or perhaps not. I have a wide taste of music and Ace (who have the leading roll in the Grease-musical in NY) is not the typical Melodic Net artist if we should put it like that. What we have here is a modern produced pop-artist with on one hand a sort of sound that Michael Jackson had back in the “Bad”-era (just listen to second out “The Letter” and you’ll understand) but there are also another side of the cake and that is the more straighter melodic poprock-side “Hard Hand To Hold” which is bloody marvelous huge-sounding bombastic poprock. Fourth out “You Redeem Me” starts out with a lonely piano and his solid voice and develops into a fantastic modern rock goes AOR-sort of refrain, and then I haven’t mentioned eight out “How You Gonna Spend Your Life” which also is a bombastic modernrock poptune with lovely harmonies. Huge. The album has so many sides… And the thing is… I like all of them cuz it is so well done. The production is so professional, the programming and arrangements on the “Michael Jackson-esque” tracks are so well done. It’s sort of schizophrenic and yes – you have to be a very open minded man like myself to enjoy the whole album. If you only like bombastic aor/modernrock smelling rock you will probably more or less think that the man is insane on the groovier tunes and if you are a dancing-man with the groove in your pants – you will not understand a single second of the standard rockers. Weird I know – but that’s the fact. This is the perfect iTunes-album where you can decide what tunes you should buy. For me – the whole album is a cool journey. And yes – I’m weird. |
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Houston based Indie pop artist Arthur Yoria released his debut EP in 2001 followed by another EP "Can you still look adorable" in 2002.
His first full length album "I´ll be here awake" was released in 2004 and received nomination after nomination in the Houston Press Music Awards, Arthur has since released an EP in Spanish and the 3 song EP "Something must be wrong".
Now in 2007, he brings us the new full length album "Handshake smiles" which finds Arthur venturing into new stylistic territory by infusing his now trademark hookladen indie-pop gems with everything from 70´s style singer/songwriter rock a la Paul McCartney to 60´s British influenced pop.
This is a fine piece of work that will find a way to the hearts that has an open door to artists like Michael Penn, Julian Lennon and Tal Bachman.
The opening track "Should be" really breathes Paul McCartney while the following "Clean for free" has traces of Oasis, the title track can be described as Tom Petty meeting Michael Penn while you can hear similarities with Tal Bachman on tracks like "I told you not to write again" and "Trash bag".
The lovely "Sandy" could be something written by Julian Lennon, but most important - Arthur Yoria only sounds like himself when you hear the entire album in one take.
Lots of cool harmonies to soak in. |
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Independent artist Cori Yarckin has a huge fan base and her debut album "Ringin in my head" comes from the same neighborhood as Rachel Farris and Fefe Dobson musicwise.
You can describe it as a modern rock version of 80?s rock,lots of great hooks in the choruses,fluffy keyboards and edgy guitars with Cori?s sweet voice on top makes this album a real enjoyable affair.
She is often compared to a modern day Pat Benatar and at moments her voice reminds a bit of Benatar?s,there?s enough stuff on this album to fill the music for a whole season of Dawson Creek where many great new bands have been exposed and gotten hits on.
The guitar melody on 4th track "Better" echoes out Avril Lavigne but that?s the only moment on the album I also think of Avril,the rest is too 80?s based to even put Cori into the Avril clone files......listen to the 2nd track "Everything you said" and you just found your new fave on your next mixtape.
Go Cori go! |
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| When you see the name Pete Droge you can assure yourself that you´ll have some qualitystuff ahead of you. Gary Yerkins sent me this CD a few weeks back and wrote that Pete produced it and he wrote that I might gonna like it. And do I like it!?!? Well... do the greeks smoke? Of course I I like it... We´re talking about really nice well crafted midwestern singersongwriter rock, quite close to Petes stuff when he put his most commercial hat on. Add names like Tom Petty (a lot), Elvis Costello (on songs like "You Got The Drop") and Robbie Fulks and you´re quite near the carpark of Garys music. So yepp - the former Insiders-frontman have done a mighty fine album that all you Petty-freaks should check out at once. |
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The cheap artwork and dull album title is enough to jump over this album in the record store or on the online stores, but if you against all odds should listen to a song or two from Jeff Young´s album you´re gonna notice that it´s a real nice R&B influenced westcoast rock record with jazz vibes.
Think Ray Charles, Phil Collins and Randy Goodrum in a big soup and you´ll get "Songs from a red Wurlitzer".
Jeff has written the songs on the electric piano and organ, his soulful voice is perfect for these kinda songs which sometimes bring thoughts to Bruce Hornsby´s jazz albums like for example the standout track "Somewhere under the radar".
The bluesy "Drive" could´ve been featured on an album by Eric Clapton while the R&B of "Hiding inside the shadows" lies closer to Steve Perry´s "Street talk".
Jeff shows his love for Ray Charles with the tribute "Brother Ray" that can be described as late night music, another cool thing about this album is that Steve Ferrone (Tom Petty, Eric Clapton) has co-produced 2 songs on which he´s also playing the drums. |
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It has taken 5 years for guitarist Jill Yan to come up with a new album but in some cases,it?s only good to be prepared and wait til you have plenty of good material to choose from and not only put out albums every year like so many professional musicians do in the jazzrock/progrock genre with different projects here and there and everywhere.
Jill has studied at the G.I.T in L.A like so many other guitarists has around the world but he focuses on more melodic instrumental fusionrock instead of showing off with his technical skills that can bore me to death.
I guess he has listened a lot to Satriani and Vai but on a song like "Ab & Go",Jill sounds more like Allan Holdsworth and the bass solo from Pascal Alba is a joy for the ears.
Jill shows the best side of himself with the nice song structure of the opening track "Deep down",it feels like he?s making music because he wants to and then on the more complex "Where?s the paper" he gets to show what a great shredder he is.
The album is varied from heavy rock tracks like "New world" and "Infinity" to funky stuff such as "Balcoon" and more fusion like on "Six months later" and my personal fave "Ab & Go".
It?s a shame that the album is 1 hour long coz it tends to feel a little long in the end,the "normal and more old time" length of 45 minutes would?ve been perfect. |
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Imagine a mix between Bruce Hornsby, Marillion, Roger Waters and Peter Cetera
and were quite near this guys garden of music. Its sure a nice piece piece
of plastic that I got from John last week. Sure - its demos - we must all be
aware of this. The sound isnt 100% and the drum-machine sound are really
boring on some of the songs, but apart of that Im really impressed. Its a
very unique cup of tea he delivers. As I said - its impossible to categorize
this cd. On some songs - all Marillion freaks (the Hogarth era) will scream
yippie, on some songs the Bruce Hornsby fans will be more than happy and then
there are well I shouldnt say westcoast pop - but in a little more modern costume.
If this album had a real productionbudget and if the album was by Pat Leonard
it would have ended up at a very high level. The alck of productions pull down the grading a bit - but all in all a highly interesting newcomer that Im sure we will hear a lot more from. |
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| Heres one of the best singer/songwriter albums last year. If wasnt the best? Excellent melancholic pop/rock with a super duper production ala himself, Brad Wood and R.Walt Vincent. For those who loved Jeff Buckleys sad rock, this can be very, very interesting. Pete Yorn is a little bit more easy listened than Jeff, but you can here influences here and there. Just listen to "On your side", "Just another" and "EZ" and you have three very beautiful tracks. I could recommend you a handful of more monster tracks but its just a waste of time. Buy as soon as possible! |
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Here is a top 3 voice for me. I LOVE the voice of 26 years old Pete Yorn. A superb singer somewhere between a young and horny Marc Jordan mixed with Jakob Dylan from Wallflowers and Rob Thomas from Matchbook 20. Musically were somewhere quite near Wallflowers but with a little more attitude and also a bit more
singer songwriter orientated.
I think you already have figured out that were talking about a major killer CD here. And yes we are. The new Yorn album is awesome all through, even if I think his last album "Musicforthemorningafter" have a few better songs.
But its not simple to follow up a CD like that, but he almost has and it is also an album that is growing on you and I can just imagine what I will think about this album when we sum this year up in December. A contender for the best 5 CDs of 2003? Yeah, probably. Or at least top 10 without a doubt.
This is what music we like here at MELODIC.NET is all about. Music that kicks ass with your mind and that just put you in a great mode. Listen to the
starter "Come Back Home", listen to the acoustic edged "Pass Me By" and listen to "Long Way Down"... I mean - does it get much better than that? Nope
it doesnt. Buy at once folks. |
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Fans pre-ordering Pete Yorn?s upcoming album, Nightcrawler, at Pete?s in-stores and concerts will receive a special limited edition six-song EP, "Westerns." Pete calls Nightcrawler the final installment in a musical trilogy that began in 2001 with his debut album, musicforthemorningafter, and continued through 2003?s Day I Forgot. And this EP is sure a good appetizer for the new album that will be released the 15th of August.
?Westerns? contains six Yorn tracks in a cool combo of styles between Americana, singer songwriter, powerpop and midwestrock. The opening ?The Man? is a lovely dusty opener and could have been on an early Wilco album, ?Don?t Mean Nothing? smells classic Tom Petty rock and fifth out ?Lions? is a beautiful melancholic tune? This is a cool E.P and a good appetizer for the new album. There are two boring tracks out of the six, like the last one out - the hillbillytune "The Golden Road" and that?s why I ?only? give the E.P 3,5, cause on an E.P that two to many. Still some damn good music on here. |
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Pete Yorn has with his third album ?Nightcrawler? closed the circle, the day-for-life metaphor (morning-day-night) which began with his gold-certified debut album, ?Musicforthemorningafter? (500.000 sold records), in 2001 and continued through 2003?s ?Day I Forgot? (300.000 sold records).
And what hits me when listening to this new album is that it seems impossible for this 32 year old guy to make an uninteresting album. The two previous efforts were nothing but pure rock heaven with a unique and very cool way of performing pretty ordinary music.
And this new one is no exception, that?s for sure! ?Nightcrawler? is a monster album that contains some of the best songs that he?s ever written. Just start with the dark and very moody opener ?Vampyre? and you will have a great aperitif for what is to come later. Fantastic tune!
One thing that separates this one from the previous efforts is that he has a more ?spacy ?production on some of the songs. It could have felt like a desperate way to try something new, but it doesn?t.
It feels natural and they?re all very thoughtful produced by Michael Beinhorn and Tony Berg that has created a very rich soundscape full of nuances.
So if you liked his first two records, which you should if you?re reading this site, this new album is a safe buy.
Pete Yorn is a unique artist and has once again delivered a full package of quality rock, like a millennium version of Springsteen. |
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Peter Yttergren is a real talented musician that lives and breathe Genesis for breakfast,lunch and dinner - his debut solo album "Another world" takes the listener on a journey through the 80?s albums with Genesis with a touch of westcoast tendencies a la Don Henley,Steely Dan and Michael McDonald.
Especially the keyboardharmonies reminds a lot of Tony Banks as well as David Foster while Peter?s voice gives the music that special westcoast vibe.
This album contains songs written and recorded during the last 3 years with musicians from seven different countries,making this a global project.
Peter has hooked up with guitarist and friend Ove Lundqvist (Crystal Blue) to form a band and record material for a follow up to "Another world".
The progressive "This land" opens the album in the finest Genesis tradition and the upbeat pop pearl "Without your heart" is flirting with Mike and The Mechanix.
Peter shows what a great melody maker he is in the ToTo sounding ballad "Emilie",in the title track "In another world" my thoughts go to the Swedish progpop band Dive feat. phantom singer Krister Linder aka Chris Lancelot.
The instrumental "If only" sounds like a collaboration with David Foster for a soundtrack theme,just adorable!
One of my favorites is "Lorraine" that could?ve been an unreleased track with Don Henley,absolutely amazing.
The groovy and rhythmic "Make a change" is the result of how a westcoast song should sound like if Tony Banks recorded it,nice.
I suggest you pay a visit to his website and learn more about Peter Yttergren,let?s just hope he will focus on more upbeat songs on the next record. |
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Ohio native Steve Yanek is a country influenced singer/songwriter that leans towards Bob Dylan?s way of writing songs and he does it quite ok,he?s surrounded by an elite of musicians on the east coast of the states where Steve had most of the help from veteran guitarist Jeff Pevar (a member of Crosby,Stills & Nash touring band).
Another thing rather surprising is to see the Dixie Dregs members Rod Morgenstein on Drums and T Lavitz on keyboards on some of the tracks,not really the type of music we?re used to see them play.
Steve Yanek is a great lyricist but he doesn?t have the soul and right feeling in his voice to reach in to my heart.
You can also expect some blues and jazz popping up on this record,he?s a talented songwriter but not a great singer. |
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In late 2005, Steven Ybarra became very ill with Meningitis. As a result, his life completely changed. Although he could no longer perform with the band, his profound faith increased, causing a domino effect leading to an invigorating profound sense of Christian faith and spirituality, a thriving solo career where he could make his own songwriting decisions, and to marrying his long-time girlfriend Kellee who now manages his career.
I started this review by copying text from his biography so you might understand why his debut solo album "Love love love" is so different from the band´s he´s been in.
Steven used to be the frontman of the modern rock band 34 Below of which I did a review of their 2005 album "Masses collide" here at melodic.net!
This album sounds nothing like that rock oriented album, Steven shows his love for folk rock music and artists like Gin Blossoms, Reuben Morgan and Hootie and the Blowfish on "Love Love Love".
You can clearly hear that he´s got plenty of love to give through his songs and I really like this album, I think it gets better halfway through and I do love the Corrs sounding songs.
Let´s get one thing straight, I´m not the greatest fan of acoustic music but when an artist has something tell like in this case with Steven Ybarra - I do listen and enjoy the songs.
Neil Young is the master when it comes to this genre of poetic folk rock but Steven Ybarra is off for a good start. |
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| The Yeah You´s are an English pop rock band comprising of Nick Ingram and Mike Kintish. In 2009 they released their debut Looking Through You "on Island Records and this an album that you must have if you like catchy pop in the same style as Jack McManus, Doug Walker, Melee and why not say Big City Rock. This is so good that it should be played daily on radio, but think it has been a bit disturbing quiet about them. Hopefully have I missed something because this is modern pop at its best. First single "15 Minutes" really shows this, and this entire debut is as great box of first class candy. A must have! |
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Did you know that?
"green day" is a slang term for spending a day smoking marajuana. Billie Joe Armstrong wrote a song called "Green Day" about his first experience with the drug, and it soon replaced "Sweet Children" as the band´s name.
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