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
The StayFree Movement - Fudakochi
By: Melody Charles
It may not seem like it after you read this, but I'm not a reviewer who enjoys bashing folks---like Dallasite Erykah Badu so famously said about artists, "I'm sensitive about my s***," so I do my best to give musicians the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately, not even my most generous largesse helped me while listening to The Stayfree Movement. Fudakochi (pronounced Fu-da- CO-chi) appears to be a pensive brother with grandiose ideals about love, self and society, so I was encouraged to see self-composed
titled and interludes titles that spoke to more than his bedroom skills.
Alas, that anticipation evaporated when I sat through one muddled and misdirected track after another. First off, many of the songs are poorly mixed; next to no treble, very little bottom, so both the messages and the music sound stifled. The rhythm appears to be off, for example, in "Stayfree," as if they recorded the vocals first and then tried to combine them with a track playing at a slower tempo. "God Did You Forget About Us?" features pertinent (if a little dated) civil rights sound bites, but the power of the message is diluted by the tepid delivery. (Read More)
1 Signature
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Drowning - Before Dawn
By: T. Mathenia
Before Dawn an Austin, TX based duo has delivered an complexingly simple New Wave album called Drowning. Rob Houle and Kate Arpke have created an album is full of rich layers. There’s the New Wave feel which rests firmly in electro beats that are driving and hypnotic. Rob Houle’s voice is a murky blend of emotional tremble and fierce seriousness that is reminiscent Adam Ant. The keyword here is reminiscent as Houle’s voice has more soaring range to it. Like another male/female duo Mr. Gnome, it’s hard to believe that its just two people creating such a thick and robust yet perky sound.
Where ‘Lover’ has a definite electro feel to it, ‘Score’ is more rock influenced. The guitar riffs on ‘Drowning’ are strong and catchy while Kate and Rob’s vocals combine to lend an urgent feel to the tune that boils the blood and escalates the senses.
4 Signatures
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Daffodil - Brian Copeland Band
By: Carolina Jones
Singer/Songwriter Brian Copeland has a pop conscious writing style that is heartful and earnest. The musicality on ‘Velvet Crush’ is bluesy and sensual while ‘Perfect Explanation’ is kinda country sounding. So already we have a eclectic mixture of music that makes this band difficult to define and pinpoint. But try to define and pinpoint we must. Oh darn, just when I think I have it he hits me with the rock flavored ‘Bound’. I give up. Let’s call it pop with great lyrics embodied by the versatile and talented Brian Copeland Band.
3½ Signatures
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Live at the French Quarter Cafe - Roxie Randle
By: Corbyn Bricie
Perfectly paced and executed Country music. Roxie Randle’s chops are mature and sultry in a totally beautiful way. Country music is renowned for its creative story lines and Roxie’s songwriting abilities upholds that tradition. ‘You Were Wrong’ is beautiful in every way. Her vocals are clear, clean and sincere from start to finish. Roxie and her guitar are the perfect duo on ‘If I Was Really Over You’.
3 Signatures
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Inside My Head - Clare Reynolds
By: Corbyn Bricie
Does the world have any more room for angel voiced songstresses? I certainly hope so because debut album “Inside My Head” by Clare Reynolds is a testament to what a sweet voice can do for your mood and heart. Think Sarah Maclaughlin but a tad bit more upbeat. The album has been five years in the making as Clare took time to live life and share her very real experiences with us. Her songwriting is clear and simple. Her voice is steady and beautiful. This is not an album for bitter hearts and minds. It’s for those that have learned from and are made happier by life’s lessons. The tracks that stood out to me were ‘Inside My Head’, ‘Time to Love’ and ‘Garden of Hope’. “Inside My Head” is a wonderfully strong first effort.
3½ Signatures
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The Future Doesn't Need Us - I Am The Heat
By: T. Mathenia
I Am The Heat’s EP “The Future Doesn’t Need Us” seems to be un-mixed and accidental. The album sounds like a bunch of high-school kids playing at being a band after school but good enough to pull off winning talent shows and being excepted by their peers as the “gonna make it” band.
But after a couple listens, I’m convinced the innocent lo-fi production and barely there vocals are on purpose! Hey guys…is this on purpose?!? I have to know because I like it. The one dimensional sound provides just the right amount of flatness to convince you of I Am The Heat’s sincerity and a promise of great things to come. By the time the second track ‘Your Monsters’ queues up and finishes you may as well forget it. You’re hooked. You’re dancing. You’re adding their songs to your iPod. And if you’re the editor of Unsigned The Magazine, you’re thinking of featuring them.
{Editor’s Note – Yup, I wanna feature them}
3½ Signatures
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Everything Coincidental - John Tinger
By: Mut Asheru
John Tinger has gone from a rock musician to an acoustic ambient mood enhancer. His album "Everything Coincidental" is soothing and quietly stimulating. The tendency with most ambient acoustical efforts is to become dull thorough fare that doesn't audibly enhance and is easily forgettable. Here Tinger sets himself apart from the pack. Only 5 tracks in and I feel ready to conquer the world (or at least myself).
I found myself picking up the CD and looking at the tracklisting so that I could make sure I knew which track I was listening to. I also actually took the time to add those illustrious stars to his track rating in iTunes. It also become one of those discs that friends and family bet not touch or ask to borrow. Hell naw…this sweet, soul edifying album is mine. The only thing I don't like about the album is the pre-historic looking fish on the album artwork. It scares me. But seriously, if you want to connect with your center "Everything Conicidental" is an excellent place to start."
4 Signatures
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