Category: CD Reviews (Page 229 of 399)

Janelia: I’m an African

August 8, 2008 /

Janelia is a likable African-American artist who explores her pride in her family’s roots on I’m an African, an 11-song semi-concept lbum about her life as a “second generation” African, born in America. The title track is instantly enjoyable, featuring a bouncing, almost tribal rhythm and excellent melody. It’s borderline reggae, but not completely. “Baba Wa” explores the exploitation of such natural African resources as gold and diamonds an d the violent bloodshed the demand for both can bring. “Ashabi” is a chant sung in African, and “Get on Down” is a celebration of life, friends, and love. The songs on this album are quite good. The production of it is another thing, however. Most of the tunes sound a little thin, and the repeated instrumentation and style sounds a little too familiar after awhile. yet the messages and melodies here are strong, and Janelia is to be commended for bringing her spiritual messages to the groove so succinctly. Definitely worth a listen. (self-released)

Janelia’s MySpace page.

Artists, CD QuickTakes, Pop

Broken Poets: Everything in Nature

August 8, 2008 /

The Broken Poets have created an excellent little album here that features a brand of dramatic pop that fans of bands like The Church and artists like Bob Dylan should really enjoy. Such majestic tunes as “To Dream of Another Life” go a long way to cementing the Poets’ sound in the minds of their listeners. This is serious, sweeing stuff. “Last Resurrection of the First Bob Dylan” is thankfully not hokey the way its title might lead one to believe. In fact, these guys successfully hit upon the same sorts of grooves that Dylan did on Highway 61 Revisted in their tone and cynicism. Then there are tunes like the richly textured “Meaningless Heart” that brings a strong rock sense to the table that is at once immediate and exciting. There’s something spiritually righteous about it, too. Sometimes the album can get a little precious for its own good, but mostly this is just great listening through and through making The Broken Poets a band certainly worth keeping both eyes and ears upon. (Wordvendor Records)

Broken Poets’ MySpace page.

Artists, CD Reviews, Pop, Rock

Douye: Journey

August 8, 2008 /

R&B artist Douye hs an impeccable sense of style here on Journey. Her singing is tasteful, and not over the top, unlike a lot of “divas” in the genre who are only out to show off their range with all the subtlety of a jackhammer. At times, on songs like “On for You,” she brings to mind vintage Anita Baker. The opening cut “Fly Away” is also pretty tasty, presenting Souye as an artist with true talent and serious crossover potential. Sometimes, though, things get a little repetitive and Douye will often stretch out a song a bit too long by repeating a certain phrase or chorus over and over. Still, there’s no denying the scintillating power of a track like “Wicked World” with its jazz leanings or “Waiting for My Man” that has slow jam hit written all over it. Douye definitely has the skills to have a successful music career. hopefully the right people are listening out there. (self-released)

Douye’s MySpace page.

Artists, CD QuickTakes, Pop

ism: Urgency

August 1, 2008 /

The band’s name is a reference to the many ‘isms’ that they feel are tearing at the fabric of society (racism, terrorism, etc.), but we see the band’s name as an acronym: It’s Sub-par Muse. Lead singer and songwriter Andre Mistier is clearly a big fan of Matthew Bellamy & co – a quick glance at the band’s top friends on their MySpace page confirms this – and the band’s sophomore effort, Urgency, feels like one long mash note to the UK power trio. There is no questioning the band’s talents as musicians, and lead single “Sacred Cows,” with its Morello-esque octave-jumping guitar riff, could pass for a leftover track from the Black Holes and Revelations sessions. The problem is the band’s slavish devotion to replicating Muse’s style. The title track alone is three Muse songs rolled into one, combining the music from “Time Is Running Out” with the lyrics from “Apocalypse Please” and “Butterflies and Hurricanes” (“If you’re wondering what you’re made of, now’s the time to see / Bring on Apocalypse”). Oh, and their bass player uses a lot of effects pedals, just like a certain Muse bassist. These guys could be dangerous once they find their identity, but for now, they’re just a group of highly skilled copycats. (STM Records)

ism MySpace page

Alternative, CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Electronica, Rock

Shannon McArdle: Summer of the Whore

August 1, 2008 /

The divorce album is a long, proud rock & roll tradition, and with the provocatively titled Summer of the Whore, former Mendoza Line singer Shannon McArdle adds her own dirty emotional laundry to the pile. If you’re a Mendoza fan, you’ll know the record was inspired by her split from former husband and bandmate Timothy Bracy – but even if you’ve never heard a lick of the band’s music, a cursory glance at the album’s lyric sheet will be enough to show you all the blood on these songs’ tracks. And the lyrics, by the way, are bracingly raw – McArdle pulls no punches here, either on her ex or herself, and lines like ”You’d like to wash my fresh mouth out / Shove in a big bar of soap / But you know that I always swallow / I let it slide down my throat” suggest an unforgettable album. Pity, then, that the music doesn’t reflect the emotion that went into it; musically, the album is one long snooze, stacking one meandering ballad after another and wasting loads of promise along the way. A song like “He Was Gone” – which laments a miscarriage with lines like ”He would have had blue eyes, I’m sure / He would have made you love me more” — should pack an unforgettable wallop, but here, it just fades into the cold gray haze. McArdle obviously needed to get this one off her chest, but she could at least have made the ride enjoyable for the rest of us. (Bar/None 2008)

Shannon McArdle MySpace page

CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Rock

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