Signature Ratings
0- What the hell
1- Borrow don't buy
2- Well...a couple of joints
3- Worth a listen
4- Off the hook
5- Buy it or die
Our Held Hope in Cadence - Chris Prouty
By: T. Mathenia
Stop the press and whatever else you have going on. This album must find it’s way into a CD player near you. Canadian artist Chris Prouty has given the world something new and fantastic with “Our Held Hope in Cadence”. His light, airy voice is tucked neatly into folds of strong beats and imaginative lyrics. The vocal arrangements are simple being that Prouty’s voice probably can’t take too much strain but the arrangements are inspiring, catchy and really pretty fresh. I didn’t have to fast forward once through the entire album and that says alot. ‘Perfect’ is perfect.
{Editor's Note - All of us here agree.}
5 Signatures
TOP
Learn to Crawl - Jen Lewin
By: T. Mathenia
Okay let’s begin with ‘Me Post-You’ from Jen Lewin’s phenomenal jazz vocal album. Not your boring, run of the mill coffee house gentle jazzy notes kind of strung together into a totally forgettable experience, this song is down right mesmerizing. “Lean to Crawl” has the most funky beated feel to it that I have heard from a jazz artist in a long while.
Jen’s voice is amazing. Her turn of phrases are intuitive and well done. She places her voice in the right place at the right time at the right pitch each and every time on this EP. Her music is downright sexy and belies a grown confident tigress ready to pounce on the ears of any un-expectant musical traveler. The piano dips and soars. But I just gotta give her drummer some on this and say thanks for providing the drive in such an eloquent fashion. I’m not saying this album will change your life but damn if it doesn’t make it more inviting and stylish.
4 Signatures
TOP
They Go In - Jeremy Megert
By: Carolina Jones
A little bit of rock and blues is the best way to describe Jeremy Megert’s “They Go In” EP. Nice introspective lyrics spiced up with even spicier guitar riffs. This is an album for an intimate bar setting. There’s something innocent about his rough vocals. I can’t say that I would sit and listen to this EP all the way through, but I can say that ‘Time’ is one beautiful break-up-with-em-lord-help-me-get-over-them tune that’s perfectly executed. ‘They Go In’ and ‘My Father’s Son’ are also keepers as I can see them nestled neatly in some indie movie soundtrack somewhere.
3 Signatures
TOP
Fugitives from the Laughing House - The Reds
By: Corbyn Bricie
mmmMMMmmm...deepness in a band is magically delicious. The CD title is a mouthful but very telling in the nature of The Reds approach to music. They are serious in their effort to break away from crap. “Fugitives from the Laughing House” is powerfully nerve sizzling. Totally aggressive and entrancing. Rick Shaffer’s vocals defy the borders of time. What grabs me about this CD is how they cut with laser like precision to the heart of the matter which is good music executed with know-how and why-for.
4 Signatures
TOP
Uncharted Territory - Matt Shwachman
By: Carolina Jones
Wow there is just too much good indie music out there. Add Matt Shwachman’s ‘Uncharted Territory’ to the list and I do hope I spelled his name correctly.
This is where having an actual hard-copy CD in front of you pays off because yes, I spelled it right.
Matt’s voice is pure and his lyrics even more so. Uncharted Territory covers just that...the inner landscape and the journey through is done in a feel good popish manner that doesn’t bore. As a matter of fact it soars and swells with words and chords that should be bottled up and sold to the disenchanted as a effective pick-me-up.
'Rise Above' is a tad predictable musically but the guitar in this one makes it all worth it. Matt's voice on track 'Destiny' is it's saving grace as it sounds a bit dated for some odd reason, but all that aside every track feels like taking a journey on a pristine, strong and fluffy cloud.
3½ Signatures
TOP
From East to West - Julia Marty
By: T. Mathenia
From East to West by is a collection of nice soothing tunes sung in the ephemeral voice of Julia Marty. Kind of new age in feel, this is adult contemporary in the Enya strain but not as whispery because Marty’s voice is stronger and more determined, especially on tracks sung in her native Russian tongue. Adept at painting lovely landscapes with her vocal twists and turns, Marty provides the perfect escape into a world of love and magic when she sings in Russian.
The power is lost when she sings in English however. The emotion that was apparent in her native tongue just doesn’t translate well when English is thrown into the mix.
2 Signatures
TOP
Desde Barranquilla -Corazon Latino
By: Mut Asheru
Whew, I feel brand new after listening to this. So much good music out there and this group is surely doing it’s part to make sure we’re not left wanting in the good music department. All the guest vocalists on this album are perfectly placed. With traditional instruments and vocal arrangements, this album sports an Afro Cuban feel that is light but packs serious talent. All parts fit together nicely with nothing outshining the other. Chants are nestled nicely into rhythmic grooves and then BAM outta nowhere comes a gripping horn on track ‘Oba’. Another suprising twist on this album is ‘Mentiras’. Is it soul? Is it Jazz? Is it world? Yes, it’s all of these things. Corazon Latino are all of these things. Their music is a party and we’re all invited!
Corazon Latino is a partnership of musicians from Colombia and Switzerland. DESDE BARRANQUILLA is their second album and it brings listeners the sound of the Colombian coast using a rich mix of traditional instruments, infectious rhythms and original songs composed by the group.
5 Signatures
TOP
Caveat Emptor -The Whirling Dervish
By: Corbyn Bricie
Can’t describe this one. And that’s a sure sign of dopeness. I don’t know what it is or how they do it but The Whirling Dervish have converted me to their brand of rock, er emo, er um punk....geeze I don’t know. Definitely socially driven in their song making the drums and guitars fuse together in a wall of song that comes at you in a hectic, aggressive and harmonious barrage of sounds that ebbs and swells in all the unexpected places that make that make their music hard to define but for sure easy to fall for. All of this is punctuated by earnest vocals that exude an intangible energy.
3 ½ Signatures
TOP
Love Convictions -Wayne Stoddart
By: Carolina Jones
This aint your regular gospel music. Wayne Stoddart’s reggae flavored songs of testament reach into your soul and not only pulls out the groove it soaks it in love, enhances it and stuffs it right back into you’re truth starved heart. This thing truly grooves as well as inspires. His vocals are on point. He knows where he fits and keeps it right there with assault after assault of eye opening lyrics. This artist’s spirit sounds oh so good.
JAMI (Jamaica Music Awards) nominee for Best Inspirational Reggae Band of 1996, Best New Reggae Gospel album Nominee for the New York Caribbean Gospel Awards (NYCGA) 2002, Awarded 2003 most Distinguished Male Vocal (NYCGA) and Nominated best New Reggae Gospel Album by the Merlin Gospel Awards 2004 Wayne Stoddart has positioned himself as a trailblazer in the Root Reggae fraternity.
4 Signatures
TOP
Don't Set Yourself on Fire – Blackheart and Strangelove
By: T. Mathenia
As if involved in some type of mystified dream, Blackheart and Strangelove’s EP “Don’t Set Yourself on Fire” transported me to a trippy past filled with sounds that could have fit into a hippie rockers best daydream. According to their bio, Originally from Sydney, Tessa Black came to Fremantle in September 2004 to cut some demos with local musician and producer Mark Dixon. After working together for a while they realized they shared some common musical influences, and a similar artistic direction. Thank goodness for the union cause they’ve come up with a sound that is unique and exciting. Tessa’s voice is strong and haunting while the string arrangements are eerily exceptional. The storytelling musical tales that this duo offer are gripping and fantastic. Track ‘Kill Your Love’ speaks of love goddess Aphrodite’s magical and sometimes cruel powers with lyrics like, ” Kill Your Love, Sweet Aphrodite she's sneaking around behind everyone's backs she's plotting their downfall doing herself proud she's keeping the score.” I full-heartedly recommend this band as one to watch and embrace.
3 Signatures
TOP
Samantha Miller - Samantha Miller
By: Corbyn Bricie
Samantha Miller truly does have a nice and soothing voice. Her strong point is her ability to write songs that are simple to understand and relate to. Accompanied by an accoustic guitar Miller shows great promise. While her voice is nice and strong, I would like to see and hear it do more. Be more. Her guitar shines brighter than her voice, which in and of itself is not such a bad thing. One of her standout tracks is ‘1 Thessalonians 5:21’ where she pens such lyrics that will have you believing in miracles.
2 Signatures
TOP
Shadowdancing - Fear Train Caravan
By: Skeeta Diggs
‘Shadowdancing’ an EP by Washington based Fear Train Caravan is ripe with driving social commentary that doesn’t overbear but rather seeps into you gently like a Mellencamp ditty. Ben Fuller’s unassuming vocals possess an honesty that is believable. It’s like being sung to by a trusted neighbor that you know has your best interests at heart.
When you add the band what you get is a rock-americanish blend of open-your-eyes music. The EP has a nice flow from one track to the next not a dull moment in the mix. You have to be ready to think when you put this one on though. Not for the mindless.
3 Signatures
TOP
Lois Akin - Lois Akin
By: Skeeta Diggs
Okay, this is one of those EPs that points to a diamond in the rough. Lois’s voice is sweet and clear while her lyrics are warm, funny and clever. This is country that brings you in and holds you close like a dear friend as Lois sings accompanied by nothing but her acoustic guitar. My only wish is that this was better mixed. It’s not commercial quality, but Lois’s personality is so darn cute and addictive it really doesn’t matter. (this time).
2 Signatures
TOP
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