Collected Sounds

Album Name: Undertow
Artist: Corinna Fugate
Year/Label: 2006 / Independent

Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

Corinna Fugate is a talented young pianist and singer. She’s already made quite a few records.

“Undertow” is fuelled by dark, existential thoughts and Fugate’s piano is delicately played. The songs namechecking of Ophelia feels entirely appropriate.

“Dying for you” with its downcast words and Gothic atmosphere is a powerful song.

“Angels Dance and Angels die” is just lovely, a simple melody framing Fugate’s sweet vocal.

“Blood Red Bracelet” is another great song, Fugate managing a serene composition with a fluid melody.

“Undertow” is awash with lovely, haunting songs that mark Fugate as a name to remember.

Posted on April 12, 2006

Track Listing
Listen to track samples
1. Undertow
2. Cold
3. Dying for You
4. I Must Be Dreaming
5. Angels Dance and Angels Die
6. Wake
7. Blood Red Bracelet
8. February
9. Winter Garden
10. Stay Right Here
11. Boy of Sky
12. Bells for Heath

[Corinna Fugate Official Site]

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Album Name: Life Lives
Artist: Naomi
Year/Label: 2006 / Independent

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

Gosh, I don’t even know where to categorize this. It’s too peppy to be folk, it’s to poppy to be solidly rock, it’s not really jazz and is no where near country ….I guess I have to call it pop, but man, a lot falls under that umbrella so I realize that’s not very descriptive. Sorry. But she’s kind of all over the map. There’s even a reggae song.

Naomi is Naomi Gongola and her band is the Courteous Rudeboys, a name I adore. The band name is not on the record but I believe they do play on it.

Naomi’s voice is pretty rock oriented. It’s powerful without being overbearing or overshadowing the music.

“Falling” is a stand out with its ear catching melody.

Her lyrics are…well…different to say the least. Descriptive and imagery laden with hints of humor.

This is not your every day record, but my guess is that many of you will find something you like here.

Posted on April 6, 2006

Track Listing
Listen to track samples
1. Sigh At The Sky
2. Fuck It
3. Inside The Mirror
4. New Time
5. Falling
6. Come On Over
7. Road To Salvation
8. Forgive Me Jah
9. For Us
10. Crazy By Now
11. Don’t Leave (too soon)
12. Happy Family

[Naomi Official Site]

Album Name: Dream Yourself Awake
Artist: Belinda Bruce
Year/Label: 2006 / Maximum Music

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

The first thing you’ll notice is that Belinda Bruce has a pretty unique voice. It’s sort of girly and sweet. Not whispery or wimpy at all, just higher in range.

The next thing I noticed is that a prominent instrument (at least one track one) is a banjo. You don’t hear that every day. But it matches the tone of the music perfectly. But don’t assume that means that this is bluegrass. It’s really more like quirky pop with an Americana twist.

The songs are upbeat for the most part with nicely catchy melodies.

The liner notes state that the record was recorded in their living room (with a control room in the kitchen). It doesn’t sound like a homemade record to me. Which shows how home recording has improved over the years. This is also why, even though my home came with a recording studio built in, we decided not to run it as a business, even though we wanted to. Everyone seems to be recording at home nowadays and if it comes out this good, there’s no reason to go “pro”. Of course, I’m no audiofile, I’m sure there are folks who would hear things I don’t. But it sounds fantastic to me.

If you’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary, your pop with a little extra splash, try “Dream Yourself Awake”.

Posted on April 6, 2006

Track Listing
1. Underground
2. Working Woman’s Hands
3. Dear One
4. Falling Star
5. Jimtown
6. Treasure Hunt
7. Twisted Lullaby
8. Patricia Ann
9. Dream

[Belinda Bruce Official Site]

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Album Name: Single Bullet Theory
Artist: Pamela Means
Year/Label: 2006 / Independent

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

I have the bonus experience in that I just last weekend saw Pamela Means perform live and she knocked my socks off. Not all, but much of that energy is portrayed on the record as well.

I can’t help but compare her to Ani Difranco with her use of the guitar as a percussion instrument and political bent lyrics. However, if you hear a lot of folk rock artists as I do, you’ll see that Pamela Means is pretty unique.

Her stage manner is quietly sweet, then her songs just scream. It’s a really interesting phenomenon. But I’m reviewing the CD, not the performance right? Right.

This is a really fine record. As I said, the songs are hovering in between folk and rock with a bit of a tilt more toward rock.

The melodies are infectious and interesting. Her words are intelligent and well chosen. Fierce yet vulnerable.

As mentioned, her guitar playing is amazing. The other instruments here are fantastic as well. They all blend well together and the production is first rate.

If you like intelligent acoustic rock with a powerful message or two, you owe it to yourself to give this record a spin.

Posted on April 6, 2006

Track Listing
Listen to track samples
1. Two Halves
2. Augusta
3. Yours
4. The Devil’s Henchmen
5. Amen
6. Mother’s Day
7. Two Months Old
8. Restless
9. O.D.
10. James Cameron
11. Strange Fruit
12. Atoms

[Pamela Means Official Site]

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Album Name: X-Rated Musical
Artist: Larkin McLean
Year/Label: 2006 / Independent

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

There’s one sure way to sell a CD, put your naked self on or in it. Another artist I know, Anne Deming, knew this when she released Naked Pictures Inside. You can be sure that once this review is posted, I will be finding in my stats that lots of lost horny little boys will find there way here using related search terms, only to be disappointed when they find that this is a music CD and in order to see even a half naked photo, you have to buy the CD.

I’m not sure what I was expecting judging by the artwork, but it wasn’t well written fun cabaret-ish pop music and that’s what I found. There is a definite theatrical aspect to this music. I feel like it’s something I want to see performed live, in a dark jazz club with a martini in front of me.

The songs range from peppy silly to sexy and sultry but all in the same style. McLean’s voice is perfect for this genre, it’s lovely.

Posted on April 6, 2006

Track Listing
Listen to track samples
1. Devil Tuesday
2. Do I Still Love You
3. Giving
4. X-rated Musical
5. Don’t Wake Up
6. Crashing
7. I Get to Be Me
8. In the Life We Never Spent Together
9. Roma Roma
10. Nobody Gets Over Ava

[Larkin McLean Official Site]

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Album Name: Aural Landscapes
Artist: Karine Chapdelaine & the Sketches
Year/Label: 2006 / Independent
[Buy at Jazz Promo]

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

I’ve said this before in reference to jazz, but I’d be deluded if I thought you all read all my reviews so I’ll say it again: I am not very well versed in jazz music. It’s not that I don’t like it. It’s just never really been something I’ve been exposed to often enough.

I do like it, but it’s not something I’d listen to on a regular basis, in general. However, I find that since first playing this record, I’m amazed at how many times I pop it in when I just want something nice filling my ears and brain.

The press release regarding this CD says it includes “exclusively original music, based on folk French melodies.” I definitely hear a “Frere Jaques” in there on “Embracing Life”.

I also have always liked the song “Au Claire de la Lune”. It was one of the first songs I learned on the piano as a kid. I’m not familiar with the other French tunes that led to these songs but they’re all lovely.

I played this record for a friend and he said that track two sounded like a bunch of instruments falling down the stairs. It is a bit scattered but it’s pretty cool. It has almost a spooky feeling. But that drum does make one think of something tumbling.

For not being a true jazz fan, I am pleased how much I like this record. It is instrumental which is another reason I’m surprised I like it so much. For what this is, this is an excellent record.

Posted on April 6, 2006

Track Listing
1. Your Lips on Mine (for Josh) (Le Roi Dagobert)
2. Clairere d’ombre
3. Embracing Life (Frere Jaques
4. Wings of Silence (Au Clair de la Lune)
5. Share Some with You (A la Claire Fontaine)
6. Sleeping Beauty (Au Chant de L’Alouette)
7. Mes Delices, Mes Amours
8. Mouton Tondu

[Karine Chapdelaine & the Sketches Official Site]

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