Category: Pop (Page 75 of 216)

Heather Kropf: Hestia

July 17, 2009 /

The opening track of Heather Kropf’s Hestia, titled “Joy Comes Like the Morning,” sneaks up on you slowly, with Kropf’s quiet, understated vocals buffeted gently by a lovely piano melody and some minimal steel guitar fills. There isn’t an ounce of flash in the track; it rises and falls purely on the strength of Kropf’s gifts as a songwriter and performer, much like Hestia itself – which is both a blessing and a curse. When it comes to the album’s stronger cuts, like “Morning” and the Laurel Canyon-tinged “Downtown” and “Kite,” Kropf presents herself as a bewitching blend of Shawn Colvin and Suzanne Vega, contrasting innocent-sounding vocals with pensive melodies and occasionally world-weary lyrics – but her inordinate fondness for sleepy melodies and plodding tempos leaves much of Hestia teetering between tasteful and dull. Kropf says her songs function as sanctuaries – for herself and, hopefully, for others – and there’s no denying the warm, cozy feel of this album, or Kropf’s gift for spinning deceptively simple webs of delicate sound. The end result is a record that feels as light as a feather, and may leave your attention wandering for songs at a time, but one that nonetheless leaves an unmistakable imprint. (Heather Kropf 2009)

Heather Kropf MySpace page

CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Folk, Pop

George Harrison: Let it Roll: Songs By George Harrison

July 10, 2009 /

When talking about the Beatles, most people think about the two main singer/songwriters in Paul McCartney and John Lennon. But guitarist/songwriter George Harrison was no slouch, and he certainly went on to have many years of success after the big breakup. In fact, Harrison had four Number One singles on the Billboard pop charts, and any fan of his music with or without the Beatles is going to have to own this encompassing collection of the man’s big hits, Let it Roll: Songs by George Harrison. There are tracks like “My Sweet Lord,” “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth) and “Got My Mind Set On You,” as well as live versions of Beatles classics that he wrote such as “Something,” “Here Comes the Sun” and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” There are also some of the more obscure beauties, like “All Things Must Pass” and the pure ear candy of “This is Love.” There is also “Marwa Blues,” a stunning instrumental that showcases Harrison’s unique guitar tone and the way that he could, well, make that thing just weep. If you’ve been a fan from the beginning, you probably already own this album, but if you’re less in tune with the man’s work and you love timeless pop, it’s a classic that you just need to have. (LABEL: Capitol)

Amazon link

Adult Contemporary, CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Pop, Rock

Shirock: Everything Burns

July 10, 2009 /

Nashville rock band Shirock (the last name of front man Chuck Shirock) is a bit different than most of the bands coming from anywhere in the country, let alone Nashville. Their unique brand of anthem-driven rock is way too cool for the Warped Tour crowd, though that’s where they may find most of their fans. In fact, Shirock is more like U2 than any other band – both melodically, musically, and lyrically – as they try to convey positive messages of hope and the desire to make a difference with their music. On the band’s sophomore effort, Everything Burns, each song soars with giant hooks and the vocals of Chuck Shirock as well as female singer Pap, and the instrumentation and arrangements accent each track instead of getting in the way. Really, the best part about Shirock is that they don’t seem like they’re trying too hard to get in everyone’s collective face, and they don’t have to. Standout tracks are the anthemic “Time Goes By” and the Pap-driven “I’ll Take Rain,” as well as the powerful title track, which is about the fact that we should all put time and effort into the things that matter, like relationships and making a difference, and that everything else just burns. Well said, Shirock. (LABEL: self-release)

Shirock MySpace Page

Alternative, CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Pop, Power Pop, Rock

The Moody Blues: Threshold of a Dream: Live at the Isle of Wight Festival

July 6, 2009 /

Ah, now that’s more like it. The CD that Eagle issued last year of the Moody Blues’ performance at the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival was nice, but seeing the band in action makes a world of difference. Even better, they have rounded up four-fifths of the band for present-day interviews (flautist Ray Thomas retired in 2002) to discuss the show, and keyboardist Mike Pinder dusts off the Mellotron he played at the Isle of Wight show and gives a demonstration. (To give you kids some perspective on the unpredictability of the Mellotron, it’s a keyboard that literally plays loops of tape. Using one in a live show was gutsy, to say the least.) The DVD does not contain the full set that appears on the CD, but the big hits (“Tuesday Afternoon,” “Question,” “Nights in White Satin”) are all here, along with a montage of dozens of performances of “Ride My See Saw,” both in concert and for various television specials. The most amusing aspect of watching the band play live is how restricted singer/guitarist Justin Hayward and bassist John Lodge’s movements were by their gear; the cords that went from their guitars to the speakers were about five feet long. (Eagle Vision)

Click to buy The Moody Blues: Threshold of a Dream: Live at the Isle of Wight Festival

Artists, Concert DVDs, DVD Quicktakes, Pop

Holly Williams: Here with Me

July 4, 2009 /

Holly Williams is the epitome of country royalty. Her grandfather Hank established the family name with classic songs like “Hey Good Lookin,’” and her father Hank Jr. left his mark on country music forever with the help of a devilish, bad boy image, and undeniable outlaw spirit. With the recent release of her sophomore album, Here with Me, singer/songwriter Holly Williams proves she’s worthy of her family’s notoriety. Not only is Here with Me packed full of potential singles, but it’s authentic, believable, and flawless. The music on Here showcases the full scope of Holly’s talent—both as a singer and a songwriter—as she belts out songs about “Mama” to honky tonkin’ boot stompers like the infectious, “A Love I Think Will Last.” Most impressively, there’s a commanding authority in her storytelling, and life in her lyrics that stretches far beyond her 28 years.

There isn’t a song on Here with Me that doesn’t deserve a moment in the spotlight, but the record shines brightest when Williams sings of heartbreak and hardships. Bittersweet undertones come through on tracks like, “He’s Makin’ a Fool Out of You,” “Three Days in Bed,” and “Alone.” The rawness that resonates in her vocals conveys an honesty that’s been sadly absent from the sugary country-pop of late, and the appropriate simplicity in her lyrics make the whole thing seem effortless. Other standouts on Here include, “Keep the Change,” and “Without Jesus (Here With Me),” from which the record’s title was spawned.

Here is the perfect combination of raw emotion, illustrative lyrics, and beautifully composed melodies, creating one of the best female vocal performances country music has heard in years. Where other artists prove to be predictable, Williams keeps listeners entertained, cranking out song after song of quality country with a contemporary edge and loads of credibility.

Here with Me would be best served on a warm summer night, under the light of a full moon, with a side of red wine. It’s a record you can laugh with, cry to, and even learn a few life lessons from along the way. Here with Me should fit nicely into a library filled with soulful singer/songwriters or country sweethearts like Jennifer Nettles, Emily West, or Katie Armiger. Whether or not you’re a country fan, however, Holly Williams and her latest release are definitely worth investigating. You may just fall in love.

Artists, CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Country, Get to Know, Pop, Rock

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