Collected Sounds

Album Name: To Be Human
Artist: Kathleen Blackwell
Year/Label: 2010 / Independent

[Buy at Amazon]

Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

Kathleen Blackwell has a clothing line called “cougar rock” and I suppose she growls a bit. But she’s equally adept at slower songs like opener Beautiful Dreamer where she plays the piano and sings in a lovely manner. It’s strident but with finesse.

Rude Boy sees the singer at her most tough, and yet she expenses herself well to a rockin’ tune. It appears to be about and ex, but the martial metaphors make me think of a certain ex-president.

The title track is a strong statement about living life to the fullest, set to a gorgeous piano backing. Blackwell’s vocals are strong here.

Broken rocks and speaks of a broken heart with obvious concern. Blackwell’s tougher side shows here and she’s right at home with it. The vocals could be higher in the mix, but it works well anyway.

It’s a strong debut.

Track Listing
1. Beautiful Dreamer
2. Missbehavin’
3. Rude Boy
4. To Be Human
5. I Don’t Know
6. Crush
7. Broken
8. Behavin’
9. Imago
10. Shelter Me

[Kathleen Blackwell Official Site]

Album Name: En Route
Artist: Cameron Blake
Year/Label: 2009 / Independent

[Buy at Amazon]

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

I’ve had this one for awhile (I’m embarrassed to tell you how long) and I almost didn’t review it. Not because of not liking it, I do. It is just that I’m not sure I have anything important to say about it. But lest I be judged for reviewing only women and Gregory Douglass, I’m giving it a shot.

Cameron Blake, at times, has a sort of shouty voice. It sounds like it’s coming from his mouth, not his chest or deeper. But it’s good and suites the music. Plus he hits some really high notes well too.

This is All is cool. Some parts are almost dirgy, then others are orchestral and dramatic.

I also like When it Comes Down to It. It has a cool organ part that stands out…that sounded much naughtier than I meant it. (I was going to edit that last sentence but Mr Collected Sounds made me keep it because he spit beer out of his nose when he read it.)

Interlude is pretty and probably my favorite track here.

This is a good solid pop-rock offering that I think many of you will enjoy!

Track Listing
1. This Is All
2. The Love Song Never Died
3. Fit Right In
4. Change of Pace
5. Hudson Line
6. Harness 4:00
7. On My Way to Jordan
8. Interlude
9. Lonely Towns
10. When It Comes Down To It
11. Monarch
12. Hospital

[Cameron Blake Official Site]

INGRID MICHAELSON AND MAT KEARNEY ANNOUNCE CO-HEADLINE TOUR

Critically acclaimed singer/songwriters Mat Kearney and Ingrid Michaelson will team up to co-headline one of the most anticipated tours of 2010.

Ingrid Michaelson took the industry by storm in 2007 with her debut album Girls and Boys, featuring the ubiquitous hit, The Way I Am, a single that has gone on to sell over a million copies worldwide. Her latest critically lauded release, Everybody, led by the infectious first single Maybe, shot to #1 on the iTunes sales chart when it was released.
Remaining true to her indie roots, Michaelson’s music is released on the label she founded, Cabin 24 Records, which has sold over 500,000 albums and over 1.5 million singles to date.

Michaelson was the first unsigned musician ever selected as a VH1 You Oughta Know Artist and has appeared on Good Morning America, Live with Regis & Kelly, The Ellen Degeneres Show, Late Night With Conan O’Brien and The Tonight Show With Jay Leno.

After spending five years traveling the country establishing himself as a new artist supporting his first release, Nothing Left To Lose, Mat Kearney dug his roots into his new hometown of Nashville, TN, and cultivated the tracks for City of Black & White, released in May 2009 on Aware/Columbia Records. He opened up the writing process to friends and to the community of musicians in Nashville, and crafted hit songs such as Closer To Love, Here We Go , and Lifeline.

[See here for more info]
Mar 9 Chameleon Club Lancaster, PA, USA
Mar 10 Newport Music Hall Columbus, OH, USA
Mar 11 Ohio University Athens, OH, USA
Mar 12 Crocodile Rock Allentown, PA, USA
Mar 13 Wellmont Theatre Montclair, NJ, USA
Mar 14 Toad’s Place New Haven, CT, USA
Mar 16 Northern Lights Albany, NY, USA
Mar 17 Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel Providence, RI, USA
Mar 18 House of Blues Boston, MA, USA
Mar 19 Electric Factory Philadelphia, PA, USA
Mar 20 Rams Head Live Baltimore, MD, USA
Mar 21 The Norva Norfolk, VA, USA
Mar 23 Amos Southend Music Hall Charlotte, NC, USA
Mar 24 Florida Theatre Jacksonville, FL, USA
Mar 25 Ruth Eckerd Hall Tampa, FL, USA
Mar 26 House of Blues Orlando, FL, USA
Mar 27 The Hangout Gulf Shores, AL, USA
Mar 29 Music Farm Charleston, SC, USA
Mar 30 Bijou Knoxville, TN, USA
Mar 31 The Handlebar Greenville, SC, USA
Apr 1 Bluebird Bloomington, IN, USA
Apr 2 Riviera Theatre Chicago, IL, USA
Apr 3 People’s Court Des Moines, IA, USA

Hey all
Do you have a particular piece of music you’ve been looking for for ages?
How about a book? Movie?

In school and looking for a deal on textbooks?

Albris specializes in rare and hard to find items in the book, movie and music world. They’ve got some discounts going on right now. These expire on Feb 28th, so you’ve got some time. but check it out.

Get $2 off your next purchase of $20 or more of books, music or movies when you use promo code LARSSON on checkout at Alibris! Hurry, this coupon expires February 28, 2010.

Or if you’re a big spender:
Get $20 off your next purchase of $200 or more of books, music or movies when you use promo code SEBOLD on checkout at Alibris! Hurry, this coupon expires February 28, 2010.

(comment here if you plan on spending some amount in between $20 and $100, I have other codes too, and I’ll post them if there’s interest!)

Album Name: Behind the Scenes
Artist: Peter Lacey
Year/Label: 2010 / Pink Hedgehog Records
[Buy at Amazon]
[Peter Lacey on Emusic]

Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell
Peter Lacey follows his recent album with Stephen Kalinch with a new solo album.
It’s a concept album of sorts about the interplay between reality and illusion he’s said.

It starts with the carnival sounds of Funfair for the Common Man which is ever so slightly eerie.

Sunday Painter sounds more upbeat, Lacey musing about an artist’s life. Musically it kinda reminds me of Stephen Duffy’s ever-underrated Lilac Time. It’s very light and airy.

Cast My Own Shadow is a neat, folksy tune with a laid back vibe that Lacey captures well.

Your Familiar Face lives up to its title by being pensive and carefully played as Lacey sings of a loved one. There’s a jazzy undertow to the song that’s very likeable.

This is a very unassuming concept album, though it’s clearly well done and heartfelt. It doesn’t overstay its welcome and might make even make you feel sad when it’s over.

Track Listing
1. Funfair For The Common Man
2. Transport Of Delight
3. Sunday Painter
4. Destination Home
5. Shadow Play
6. Psychedelic Tie
7. Cast My Own Shadow
8. Behind The Scenes
9. Claire Obscure
10. Laughing Boy Here
11. Your Familiar Face
12. Whatever Keeps Your Boat Afloat

[Peter Lacey Official Site]

Album Name: Stealing Away
Artist: Fancy Bandits
Year/Label: 2009 / Independent

[Buy at Amazon]

Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

Fancy Bandits are Gina Kontur, Emily West and Veigh. They have an arresting style both visually and musically. Comparisons have been made with Rasputina and not without reason.

Yellow Lines is a charmingly impish tale with a memorable tune, Fancy Bandits dance around the edges of a distinct prog influence here.

The Rack is a dreamy meander capable of evoking images of both horror and beauty. The vocal is guarded and lovely.

Sister is bouncy and fun, the trio as ever complimenting each other well. The vocals are sweet and expressive.

Buffalo Train is as fluid and expressive as Rasputina’s finest songs, and has its own head filled with dark visions.

The trio are really onto something with this rich debut.

Track Listing
1. Emily’s Girl
2. Yellow Lines
3. State of mine
4. The rack
5. Good morning
6. Guts
7. Sister
8. Agatha
9. Little dream
10. Buffalo Train
11. Mission impossible

[Fancy Bandits Official Site]

Album Name: Guitarrista
Artist: Ciro Hurtado
Year/Label: 2009 / Independent

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

I maybe didn’t go into this one with a completely open mind. I tend to dread reviewing instrumental music because I am so much more drawn to lyrics and stories and poetry in music. In many cases the “music” is just the delivery system. (though not all…Radiohead for example, I have no idea what he’s saying most of the time, but I love love love it)

That said, this album enchanted me much than I expected it would. Not only do I struggle with instrumentals, I’m a fan more of piano than guitar. But there’s something about that flamenco/Latin frenetic guitar sound that energizes me and this album has that by the truckload.

Ciro Hurtado is clearly a very talented guitarist. There’s so much emotion in each note.

While I’m not going to do into the intricacies of this record (because I am sorely lacking in knowledge of all that) I’m going to say that it’s a great accessory for setting the mood whether it be a nice dinner party or just cranking it up with headphones and daydreaming.

Track Listing
1. Cuentos de Chacarera
2. La Ayacuchanita
3. Para Amanda
4. Para Que No Me Olvides
5. Para Mi Amigo
6. Agua Dulce
7. Spanish Heart
8. Paisajes
9. Ayahuasca
10. Rayito de Sol
11. Un Adios

[Ciro Hurtado Official Site]

Album Name: Thorns on a Crown
Artist: Kirsten DeHaan
Year/Label: 2009 / Independent
[Buy at Amazon]

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

Well, I generally steer clear of hard rock records as I am not very well versed in them and am bound to say something really stupid and get my butt chewed out. But I’ve reviewed Kirsten before and while it’s generally a harder style than I’m used to, I like it. Also this release is more pop than her previous one.

She has a great rock voice and she and the rest of her band are a group of talented musicians. They sound great together.

I heard the single 1984 awhile back when she was offering it free and I liked it immediately. I’ll admit it’s still my favorite track on the record.

But I also enjoy Double or Nothing and Miss Daisy, but really the whole EP is pretty good.

Track Listing
1. 1984
2. Double or Nothing
3. The Night Shift
4. I’m Coming Home
5. Ms. Daisy

[Kirsten DeHaan Official Site]

Hey all

Now you can get the music (and TV show) from the Hope for Haiti Now telethon.

A dazzling lineup of superstars, including Wyclef Jean, Shakira, Sting, Alicia Keys, Taylor Swift, Jay-Z, Bono, The Edge, and Rihanna, joined for Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief. Support the cause and purchase the Hope for Haiti Now live performance album and two-hour TV special.

Click here: to get the music.

Click here: to get the TV show.

Got some new (free) music for you from a band called Panama Gold

[Cheer Up Shayla]
(click to listen, right click and choose Save Link As… to download it.)

Here’s their bio:

Panama Gold is a rock n’ roll quartet based in Seattle, WA*. Their collective sound celebrates the highs and lows of 60’s garage rock and late 70’s post-punk with the vocal delivery and soul of early Rolling Stones, Doors and Stax recordings. “We fancy ourselves as being a band that goes outside the constraints of formulaic songwriting; but at the same time, we want your grandma to like us, so we adhere to certain pop song structures,” states lead vocalist Damien Goyenechea. Panama Gold’s high energy sentiment, songwriting and stage show are equally rooted in the moment. And what a moment it’s been: In less than a year, Panama Gold went from an idea of songwriter Goyenechea, to forming their own label Madcap Records, releasing several singles, an eponymously named EP and playing dozens of well-received shows at Northwest venues such as The Sunset Tavern, High Dive, Slims, and Hell’s Kitchen. Panama Gold has begun to cement their notoriety around the Seattle music scene; if the past is any indication, the months to follow will be equally fleeting. An LP is slated for release in June 2010 preceding a West Coast tour.

*Members: Jeremy Archer – Bass Derick Lester – Drums Brad Wright – Guitar Damien Goyenechea – Guitar / Vocal
[On MySpace]
[Madcap Records]