I’ve finished my Best of 2009 list!

[Check it out]

The post Best of 2009 first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Album Name: Crepusculo
Artist: Petracovich
Year/Label: 2009 / Independent

[Buy at Amazon]

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

God, this is a great record. I knew of Petracovich aka Jessica Peters for some time now. Fellow reviewer Anna Maria had written her up here before. But same old story: I have too much music to go through already, I rarely get to pick up something new that I’m not expected to review. So I’m thankful that this finally came across my desk.

That tinkly playful piano that opens the disc gets me every time. Then when the rest of the instruments come crashing in I almost get chills. You can’t not feel joy when hearing this. It’s not a happy song (“I’ll make you love me then I’ll leave you all alone…”) but it sounds joyful. I love that disparity.

Peters’ voice is gorgeous and very comfortable. Also fun to sing along with.

Syracuse Next 6 Exits is beautiful. More tinkly piano and it reminds me of snow.

San Rafael is probably my favorite. It’s simply gorgeous and the melody haunts me. As a matter of fact, I’m pretty sure all these melodies have come to me in my sleep in the past few months.

This album has gotten under my skin. In such a good way.

Track Listing
1. Heaven Help the Day
2. Mockingbird
3. I’ll Return As Waterbird
4. Sleep It Off/Lie Down
5. Syracuse Next 6 Exits
6. San Rafael
7. Big Heart
8. Dark Woods
9. You Are This Perfect
10. Miramar
11. The Boy Who Was Caught
12. Last Day of February
13. We Must Have Been Birds

[Petracovich Official Site]

The post Album Review: Crepusculo by Petracovich first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Album Name: Bitch Get Fit
Artist: NLX
Year/Label: 2009 / Independent

[Buy at Amazon]

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

Wow, I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to get something on paper about this. But it’s also quite possible I wrote a whole review and then [lost it.]

I have enjoyed NLX’s music since I first heard her two EPs, In Your Face and Behind Your Back (released together for the most part). When I received this CD in the mail I was delighted. When she offered to do a house concert I was ecstatic. We whipped one together in less than two weeks. But that’s another post.

Anyway, NLX, if you don’t know, is Natasha Alexandra. She’s originally from Toronto (or nearby) and currently lives in New York City. She decided to use a “stage name” as it were because people kept getting her last name wrong and she felt it would be kinda cool to have a moniker of sorts. I like it, it suits her.

I loved her previous stuff and some of those songs are even on this album, but this record is stunning. She makes use of a lot of soundscapes, loops, funk rhythms, and that beautiful distinctive voice which can soar or growl but always fit the music perfectly.

The songs are very well written, interesting and comfortable at the same time. She can go from techno-pop that Imogen Heap would be jealous of (Hallelujah), to lovely quiet ballads that remind me of Ellery (Getting Off).

Wow, this is going to be hard (because I truly like them all), but my favorite tracks on this one are: Buckle Up, Spin, Code Red and Smoke and Mirrors. There, I’d better stop before I name them all.

Track Listing

1. Prologue
2. Buckle Up
3. Hallelujah
4. Getting Off
5. 15 Years
6. Also Known As
7. So Far Apart
8. Young Love
9. Spin
10. Afraid
11. Faultline
12. Code Red
13. Lifted
14. Smoke & Mirrors
15. Find Love
16. Epilogue

[NLX Official Site]
[Bitch Get Fit! Site]

The post Album Review: Bitch Get Fit by NLX first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

Rachel Taylor Brown’s record, is described as “free-thinking concept album about comic book superheroes and saints.” Sounds great!

And it is. It’s weird. It’s not mainstream and it’s not for everyone. But it’s great. She has a quirky style that can at times sound dissonant, but that’s the charm. It’s interesting and intriguing and it’s really what I’m in the mood for now.

Bruce Wayne’s Bastard Son reminds me of a particular Eleni Mandell song. It’s got a cool, dissonant, repetitive guitar line that will slink it’s way into your brain and not let go. Be warned, this may be going through your head at 3 am like it does for me.

Her voice is actually kind of secondary on many of these. Which is weird for me to like, but it totally works because the songs are so strong.

Zoe of Rome is a standout jumpy, rhythmic tune that even has tap dancing in the background.

Teresa Benedicta Also Edith Stein is beautiful. It’s a little more sparse with just piano and vocals. But the vocals are nicely layered and her voice is showcased here more proving it is lovely. In fact, when she hits the high notes, she could be mistaken for our Miss Sarah Slean. Likewise on Giovanni Bernardone (St. Francis). Beautiful stuff.

These songs are really varied but without being szichophrenic. It’s a fantastic album, one of my early faves. I think those of you who like quirky and non-mainsteam will dig this too.

Track Listing
1. Susan Storm’s Ugly Sister
2. Ambush Bug/Reduviidae
3. Lonely Galactus, the World Eater
4. Bruce Wayne’s Bastard Son
5. Zoe of Rome
6. Teresa Benedicta Also Edith Stein
7. St. Fina
8. Giovanni Bernardone (St. Francis)

[Rachel Taylor Brown Official Site]

The post Album Review: Susan Storm’s….by Rachel Taylor Brown first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Album Name: Mnemosyne
Artist: Ljova & The Kontraband
Year/Label: 2009 / Independent

[Buy at Amazon]

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

What a great album! Every time one of these songs popped up in my review rotation I took note. Mr Collected Sounds even overheard one time and said, ‘Who’s this? It’s really cool.” And he’s a super music snob.

Ljova is Russian born, New York-based Lev Zhurbin and his collaborators. It’s a mostly instrumental record which often says “film music” to me, and this is no exception. Though it would have to be a very cool, quirky and intelligent film to stand up to this music. (Note: I wrote this before reading that much of there music has, in fact, been in films.)

There are many sounds going on here. Sometimes, it’s peaceful melodic tunes. Especially when his wife, Inna Barmash is singing; she has a lovely voice. But also at times almost confusing and dissonant leaving the listener to say, what the heck? But in a good way.

I mainly hear the accordion, cello and violin (I think…I hope), but also some world-style music drum beats. On one song, even a potato chip bag was used as percussion. (How Easily I Get Lost)

Ljova’s Russian roots show in Koyl. It’s actually an arrangement of an old Jewish folk song. This may be my favorite. Maybe it’s the little bit of Russian blood I have that makes me love this kind of music, but I feel changed when I hear it.

I love that the artist sent along a few pages containing notes on each song. What it’s about, what was in mind when written, the influences…this helps make this record a real journey for me. And one that I’m happy to take over and over again. Class act.

Track Listing
1 Mathias (EmiKa Mix)
2 Mnemosyne (feat. Inna Barmash & Frank London)
3 Walking on Willoughby
4 Love Potion, Expired
5 Koyl (feat. Inna Barmash & Frank London)
6 How Easily I Get Lost
7 Less
8 Crutchahoy Nign
9 Untango (feat. William Schimmel & Uli Geissendoerfer)
10 Szeki
11 Gone Crazy (feat. Inna Barmash, Alon Yavnai & Marcus Rojas)
12 Bagel on the Malecon Reprise (feat. Uli Geissendoerfer)

[Ljova & The Kontraband Official Site]

The post Album Review: Mnemosyne by Ljova & The Kontraband first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Album Name: Chinese Leftovers
Artist: Sugarplum Fairies
Year/Label: 2009 / Independent

[Buy at Amazon]

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

I’ve been a fan of this band for awhile. Anna Maria and I have both reviewed a few of their records in the past. They even made it onto my best of 2006 list.

Their music makes me feel like I’m sitting in a darkish apartment in London on a rainy day. I’ve never been in a London apartment on a rainy day or any other. Or even to London for that matter. Maybe I’ve seen too many movies. But whatever. I like it.

This happened before, I’m afraid to pick out stand out songs because they’re honestly all good and similar. So I’m just going to say that I’m glad I’ve got a new batch of awesome songs from this band and I hope you’ll like it too.

In my notes, I see that I Wish I Never Saw the Sunshine reminded me of the Cowboy Junkies. As I was writing this review I went back to re-read past ones and on their first record in 2003, I see that they reminded Anna Maria of the Cowboy Junkies then as well. I also thought they had a little Mazzy Star as well as Belle & Sebastian.

So if you like any of those bands, it’s a good bet you’ll like Sugarplum Fairies if you aren’t already a fan.

Previous reviews:
[Country International Records]
[Introspective Raincoat Music ]

Track Listing
1 A Story
2 I Wish I Never Saw The Sunshine
3 Head Or Tail
4 First Rate Show
5 Westside
6 I Hate Saturdays
7 Smile
8 Mercy
9 Hold On To Me
10 Chinese Leftovers
11 Polaroid

[Sugarplum Fairies Official Site]

The post Album Review: Chinese Leftovers by Sugarplum Fairies first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

Dang, I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to write this review, I really like this record. Maybe subconsciously I want to keep it in my rotation and I know once it’s written it’s removed. Who knows? At any rate, this is a beautiful album.

I know I’ve reviewed Sally Doherty and her bands in the past and so has Anna Maria. But these songs have caught my ear more than just a few times while this album was shuffling in my review rotation.

These songs are built on nice harmonies as well as unison singing that reminds me a little of the Cocteau twins. (Butterfly)

There’s also a techno-y sound going on here. I guess it’s bordering on ambient.

Autumn is particularly lovely. Her voice is so comforting. It’s kind of a slow dance song.

You’re Falling is a stand out to me. Probably likely my favorite track here. Though it’s hard to pick since the whole album is one big gem.

Oporto Dawn is also a wonderful sweeping landscape of a song.

It’s going in my personal rotation, when I’ll ever get to listen to that playlist is a mystery, but it’s there, waiting for me!

Track Listing
1. Something More
2. Butterfly
3. Autumn
4. You’re falling
5. Neon night
6. Time
7. Frost
8. Milk and honey
9. Oporto dawn
10. One day
11. Where have you gone to?

[Sally Doherty Official Site]

The post Album Review: Electric Butterfly by Sally Doherty first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

Remember Bree Sharp, she of the “David Duchovny” song? Now I’m one of those who bought the A Cheap and Evil Girl CD back in the day and I liked it. I didn’t adore it, but I liked it. It was better than just the one hit song.

Well, this is her project with Don DiLego (they call themselves, Lee Fever and Rocket Del Fuego, respectively) that make up Beautiful Small Machines.

I don’t know much about her musical partner other than he worked on her previous album. But from that album I knew she was talented. They make a great team. They call their sound sci-fidelity, which I find endlessly charming.

There’s a bit of an 80s electro feel, staccato rhythms and synths. I can picture Molly Ringwald in Breakfast Club dancing on the table to the song, Counting back to 1; which is a marvelously fun party song.

Robots in Love is so radio friendly I thought it was familiar the very first time I played it. That’s not to say it’s derivative, just comfy.

This is a really fun little record. I was going to say I wish it was longer, just because I like it, but you know what? This is a good length. It’s different enough that maybe 12 songs in a row of it would be too much. But maybe not, I mean, the more I hear this record the more I like every song on it. I do find when one of these songs comes on in shuffle mode, I get a stupid happy grin on my face.

Track Listing
1 Counting Back To 1
2 Robots in Love
3 Super Conductor
4 So Long to U
5 Servo Manual Chapter 1 (Mandroids on Whiskey)

[Beautiful Small Machines Official Site]

The post Album Review: The Robots in Love EP by Beautiful Small Machines first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Album Name: Here Come the Vikings
Artist: Astrid Williamson
Year/Label: 2009 / 101 DISTRIBUTION
[Buy at Amazon]

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

Well, I’ve been having a hard time with some records I’ve been trying to review lately, so it’s nice to have one I genuinely like to listen to (the ones I really disliked I didn’t review at all.)

There’s a cool edge to this album. There’s a lot going on instrumentally, lots of layers. And Astrid Williamson’s cool voice grumbling and cooing over all.

While this album is really diverse, ranging from alternative rock to pop most of it is more rock oriented than others I’ve heard recently. At least track #1 is. There are wailing guitars and frenetic percussion.

Sing the Body Electric is more pop. In fact, it’s downright radio friendly with tinkly piano and everything.

Eve really shows her vocal ability. It sounds clear and lovely here. She has a very mature sounding voice. It’s got a kind of a deep quality.

Slake is really cool, it’s already made it onto one of my Car Mixes. I like that it’s got some haunting talking sprinkled throughout.

The Stars Are Beautiful is maybe my favorite and a lovely way to end this record.

This is a really great album. It’s diverse, catchy, and mature without being snobby or pretentious. It’s going in my personal rotation for some time to come.

Track Listing
1. Store
2. Sing The Body Electric
3. Shut Your Mouth
4. How You Take My Breath Away
5. Crashing Minis
6. Falling Down
7. Pinned
8. Slake
9. Eve
10. The Stars Are Beautiful

The post Album Review: Here Come the Vikings by Astrid Williamson first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

I LOVE this record. I reviewed Iris Leu’s previous release, [Permanent Transient] in 2007. I liked it very much, but I don’t recall being this blown away.

I do remember thinking she reminded me of Tara MacLean and even Sarah McLachlan at times, which is a very nice thing indeed. It was an EP at only 5 songs, so new music from her was highly anticipated. I’m happy to report that I am in no way disappointed. In fact, I may go as far as to say I’m downright giddy.

Her voice is as beautiful as ever. Her songwriting, while I’d say it’s improved some, is still very much in the vein of the above mentioned ladies. Piano based, slightly ethereal, layered, lush, and gorgeous.

The previous record was markedly sad. It was full of themes of loss and hopelessness. The lyrics are not included in this record, which is a little disappointing. I like to read and listen together. I couldn’t find them online either. But what I could pick out sounds more hopeful than her previous release:

For example, “This could be so beautiful…” on Manifesto; which sounds a LOT like my Sarah (McLachlan, if that’s not obvious.)

Ipso Facto is more uptempo…

So far I like all the songs. She’s also inspiring me to host concerts again and decorate the space/stage area with lots of flowy drapes/curtains, and tall candelabras.

This is a really beautiful album. I want to give it more time. I wish I wasn’t so behind on reviews. But I’m thinking this is an early favorite!

Track Listing
1 For Keeps
2 Hush
3 Twentyone
4 Ipso Facto
5 Hollowville
6 Four Seasons
7 The Red Bird
8 Dive
9 Manifesto
10 After All Is Done

[Iris Leu Official Site]

The post Album Review: Hushaboo by Iris Leu first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Album Name: Tumbledown
Artist: Mike Herrera’s Tumbledown
Year/Label: 2009 / End Sounds
[Buy at Amazon]

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

I didn’t want to like this because I thought the I thought it was pretty egotistical to name the band with your name. So I wouldn’t say I went into it with a totally open mind. But as luck would have it I am digging it.

This is an album full of party/drinking anthems. It’s fun and raucous without being super obnoxious. It’s pretty cool, it’s poppy, raucous rock songs about getting drunk among other things.

The opening song, Let’s Drink, has already made its way onto one of the mix CDs I make to listen in my car (I don’t have the MP3player hook up yet). And it’s a great car song. Fun to sing along with while driving home from work on a Friday afternoon.

Let’s drink, let’s drink til we fall down
Let’s drink, I’ll see you on the ground…

Then there’s:

I came here to drink and I came here to fight
I’m all outta beer so let’s take it outside

-from Came Here to Fight

OK those two quotes my not sound like high art, but it’s fun, it’s clever and I dig it.

Break out of History actually reminds me of Punk Rock Girl (Dead Milkmen) with its fast-paced lyrics. Though it’s not as punk. But I bet you will have trouble keeping your leg from wiggling. Actually many of these songs have that affect on me.

Movin’ On is almost country. It has certainly got some twang. They really take it down a notch and create a really catchy song that if played on the radio would everyone’s ear worm.

At times they also remind me of Green Day and there are also shades of They Might be Giants.

I was about to pick out some more songs that I liked, but I realize I’d probably just end up picking them all eventually. It’s just a really fun album. Good summer listening (along with your favorite adult beverage.)

Track Listing
1. Let’s Drink
2. Butcher of San Antone
3. Break Out of History
4. Movin’ On
5. I’m Still Here (feat. John Davis)
6. State Line
7. Came Here to Fight
8. Secondhand High
9. My Sweet Darling Dear (feat. Jeff Turner)
10. Son of a Gun (feat. Jon Snodgrass)
11. Homeward Bound
12. Hidden Track

[Mike Herrera’s Tumbledown Official Site]

The post Album Review: Tumbledown by Mike Herrera’s Tumbledown first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Album Name: Bound to be Mountains
Artist: Rachel Garlin
Year/Label: 2009 / Independent

[Buy at Amazon]

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

Today when it came time to sit with this album, one on one, I was excited. It’s been shuffling for a month or so and each time one of her songs came up I did the “oooh I like! Who’s this?!” So it’s safe to say I love this record. Really love it.

Rachel Garlin has a very pretty voice. It’s sweet, and soft but not wimpy. Just comfortable.

The songs have lovely melodies and are as peaceful as her vocals.

Stand out songs for me include the title track Bound to be Mountains.

Hey Garrett. I love that she rhymes ‘Garrett’ with ‘tear it’. It’s got nice harmonies too.

I Have, I Will is lovely.

Broke Down House is a fun uptempo song. Whenever when she says “…a shady tree…” I think she’s saying another word that begins with “sh” and ends with “y”. But geeze, I love this song. It’s so cute and fun to sing along to.

Another favorite that’s already made it onto a mix CD for my car is Wartime Gig. It’s a sweet story song about a child being plucked from her single-mother family in Manhattan to go live in the country while the mother was away for the war. I assume it’s a previous war so probably not autobiographical, but I could be wrong.

This is definitely one of my new favorites. Time to make a copy to keep in my car so I can become really addicted like I did with Lex Land’s album.

Track Listing
1. Jamaica Hurricane
2. Bound to Be Mountains
3. Hey Garrett
4. Decisions & Desires
5. I Have, I Will
6. Broke Down House
7. Travel with You
8. Better
9. Wartime Gig
10. Neighborhood bar
11. Love her a Lot
12. Make it Last

[Rachel Garlin Official Site]

The post Album Review: Bound to be Mountains by Rachel Garlin first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Album Name: Bodega Rose
Artist: Kesang Marstrand
Year/Label: 2008 / North Node Record

[Buy at Amazon]

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

I liked Kesang Marstrand’s album the first time I heard it, but I was struggling with finding something to say. My first impression was that it was nice, just not grabbing me. But I’m glad I’ve kept it in my rotation for as long as I have because it grows on me more with each listen.

She has a pretty voice. At times she does a sweet tilty thing that reminds me of Ani DiFranco. But actually, her voice is really quite unique and beautiful.

Her stripped down version of Paul McCartney’s Say Say Say is cool. She really takes it down a notch in tempo which makes it almost haunting.

I love Real Boy. It’s a very charming song that’s caught my attention several times while shuffling with other albums. It’s got piano which is probably at least part of the reason I like it so much.

Thin Skin is another favorite of mine. She does some nice guitar picking in minor keys that is always appealing to me.

Actually I’ll stop here before I end up naming every song. Nope, I must also say the title track, Bodega Rose is great.

The songs are nicely melodic and interesting. The instrumentation is great, but minimal. That is, it’s mostly guitar, voice and a little percussion (an occasional harmonica and piano). The production is well done and helps richen the sound.

This is a lovely mellow pop album, which will be in my personal rotation for some time.

Track Listing
1 Colorless Farewell
2 Say Say Say
3 Real Boy
4 Grow a Garden5 Lioness
6 The Choir Sighed
7 Any Kind of Bridge
8 The Slightest Sound
9 Today Next Year
10 When You Returned
11 Thin Skin
12 Bodega Rose

[Kesang Marstrand Official Site]

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The post Album Review: Bodega Rose by Kesang Marstrand first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

Frank Turner has been compared (favorably) to Billy Bragg and that was enough to make me check him out. I’d say he’s not quite as English or as edgy and certainly not as political as Bragg (who is, really?) but the comparisons are there.

He does sing with an accent and the music is punchy lo-fi (at times) and very toe-tapping. I like the addition of the backing singers that mostly sing in unison and sound like they’re in a bar.

This is definitely fun music. I dare you to try and keep still while listening.

He’s also got a way with words. Some of his lyrics are hilarious, all of them clever.

I really like the last track, the Ballad of Me and My Friends. It’s a live track and it’s fun to see what he’d be link in concert, which I’m sure is amazing.

Substitute is another favorite. It’s a little more folky and the melody is infectious. I love this lyric:

If music was the food of love then I’d be a fat romantic slob…music was my substitute for love…

…I hear ya, Frank.

Track Listing
01. I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous
02. Reasons Not to be an Idiot
03. Photosynthesis
04. Substitute
05. Better Half
06. Love Ire & Song
07. Imperfect Tense
08. To Take You Home
09. Long Live the Queen
10. A Life Worth Keeping
11. St. Christopher is Coming Home
12. Jet Lag
13. Thatcher Fucked the Kids
14. The Ballad of Me and My Friends

[Frank Turner Official Site]

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The post Album Review: Love Ire and Song By Frank Turner first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Album Name: It’s Not Me, it’s You
Artist: Lily Allen
Year/Label: 2009 / Capital
[Buy at Amazon]

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

I love Lily. If you’ve been checking this site with any frequency you know that. I adore her debut album, ‘Alright Still’ but I think this one is even stronger. Unlike the first record, I really like every song on here.

Her debut seemed a little szichophrenic. Too many different styles, like she was testing them all out to see what fits. I think she’s hit her stride and these songs suit her wonderfully.

Of course there are favorites. The potty mouthed F*ck You is funny and has a very sweet melody to go with those acidic lyrics. I played this for a friend and it was stuck in her head all night. It’s very catchy.

I also like Not Fair. It’s cute and jumpy.

Chinese is another super catchy, poppy number, “We ‘ll get Chinese, and watch TV.” Sounds like every night at my house.

This time I’d say all the songs are radio friendly. Well, radio-sounding, anyway, you know you can’t swear on the radio and this is Lily we’re talking about.

This is a great record and I think anyone who liked her singles from before will be happy with this release.

Track Listing
1. Everyone’s At It
2. The Fear
3. Not Fair
4. 22
5. I Could Say
6. Back to the Start
7. Never Gonna Happen
8. Fuck You
9. Who’d Have Known
10. Chinese
11. Him
12. He Wasn’t there

[Lily Allen Official Site]

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The post Album Review: It’s Not Me, it’s You by Lily Allen first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Album Name: Anamnesis
Artist: Shauna Burns
Year/Label: 2009 / Red Rock Music LLC

[Buy at Amazon]

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

We here at Collected Sounds have been following Shauna Burns for years. What’s really cool is to see an artist evolve from record to record.

In my review of her last record, The Moon and Fire Circle I mentioned that her songs sounded similar to each other. But when it’s gorgeous I don’t mind. However, on this EP, she really stepped out of her comfort zone. These songs are not samey at all.

The first track, Smell begins in a pretty similar way to her previous work: echoey vocals, intricate piano, layered and dreamy. It being almost muffled, then 2 minutes in it spins out about into a really full sound.

The next song, A Letter, is so different from what I am used to with her, I had to do a double take to see if it was really her. But of course that lovely voice is unmistakable. I’d say she’s channeling her inner Cornflake Girl on this one. There’s even guitar! Yes, guitar. No I’m serious!

Driving Far is also really different. It’s got a much crisper, cleaner feeling. It’s also more uptempo than I’m used to for her.

I think you’ll like this one even if you loved her previous records, it’s different but no less enchanting. I mean, it’s still Shauna right?

Oh and did I mention her hottie new look? Yeah.

Track Listing
1. Smell
2. A Letter
3. Wind
4. Driving Far
5. So Tell Me

[Shauna Burns Official Site]

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The post Album Review: Anamnesis by Shauna Burns first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Album Name: Orange Days on Lemon Street
Artist: Lex Land
Year/Label: 2009 / Intelligent Noise Records
[Buy at Amazon]

Review by Amy Producer of Collected Sounds

God, I love this record. You have no idea. I love everything about it. The album art, the name, the lead vocals, the melodies, the musicianship, hell, I love the font used on the liner notes. This is MY kind of record. Once in a (great) while I have that thought, ‘why do I keep doing this?’ then I get a record like this and I remember.

While this was in rotation (as opposed to now, when it’s all I can listen to) each time a song came on that caught my ear, I look at it was from this record.

I love the vocals here. At times she reminds me of Polly Paulusma. She is heavy on the sses and has a slightly little girl sound (especially noted on All We’ve Ever Done) . As a whole the record also reminds me a little of Two Loons for Tea. But these are just moments, glimmers of familiarity, for the most part, Lex Land is not like anything else out there.

This woman can craft an incredibly beautiful song. The melodies as well as the lyrics.

Some kudos also go to her bandmate, Peter Adams whom she credits “on all things black and white and buttony.”

I can’t even honestly choose a few songs that stand out because they all do. They stand out among all the other albums I’m listening to right now (about 40) and that’s saying something.

However, right now, Could have Had Me is playing and the rolling, crazy piano is giving me shivers.

I will be keeping an eye on this artist. She makes me wish I had a record label. I’d sign her in a second.

Track Listing
1. All We’ve Ever Done
2. Could’ve Had Me
3. Easy
4. Sweet
5. As Much As You Lead
6. Play In Reverse
7. Favorite
8. Countless Songs
9. My Fault. Your Mistake.
10. How Often?
11. What I Want From You

[Lex Land Official Site]

The post Album Review: Orange Days on Lemon Street by Lex Land first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Album Name: Kismet
Artist: Jesca Hoop / Jessica Hoop
Year/Label: 2007 / Nettwerk
[Buy at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

I am late to the Jesca Hoop party. Anna Maria mentioned Jessica (she was Jessica, then changed to Jesca) Hoop in her top albums of the year in 2007. So I knew OF her, but I had not listened to the music yet.

Being time challenged as I sometimes am, it took me awhile to check her out. I recently downloaded her album, Kismet from e-music and I can’t stop listening to it. It’s been like 4 weeks. I take it out of the car stereo for two seconds then put it back in. It’s like a sickness.

If you aren’t familiar with her here are some tidbits: she’s English (no she’s not, see comments). Her music sometimes reminds me of Sarah Slean, sometimes like Lily Allen. I’d call it very quirky pop.

While I love all the songs, the ones I get the most excited about are:
Intelligentactile 101: They don’t get much peppier, poppier than this. It’s a fun one to sing along with once you know what she’s saying.
Havoc in Heaven: Weird, cool, notes and rhythms along with odd phrasing makes this one of my favorites.
Out the Back Door: This one makes me want to dance. And I don’t dance.

Wow, I just realized she’s on Nettwerk (Sarah McLahlan’s label) I thought she was indie. Oh well, good label, good artist. It would have made it onto my best of list had I heard it when it was released. Hell, it just might make it on my 2009 list anyway. I make the rules, I can break ’em if I want to.

Track Listing
1. Summertime
2. Seed of Wonder
3. Enemy
4. Silverscreen
5. Money
6. Dreams in the Hollow
7. Love is All We Have
8. Intelligentactile 101
9. Havoc in Heaven
10. Out the Back Door
11. Love and Love Again

[Jesca Hoop Official Site]

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The post Album Review: Kismet by Jesca Hoop first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Album Name: Somniloquy
Artist: The Endless
Year/Label: 2009 / Queen of the Moon Music

[Buy at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

The band’s description of this record could not be any more my cup of tea. “Dreams, ghosts, mediums, and stage magic permeate this fourth release” they also use words like: haunting shoegaze and dreampop. So yeah, it’s a given that I love this.

Adriana Roze’s gorgeous voice is both whispery and operatic when it needs to be (and not when it doesn’t, that’s an important distinction).

The melodies are entrancing and the different layers of music floating above and under the main layer combine to make something very pleasing to my ears. It’s as if every little ‘tik-a-tik’ was intensely labored over so that it would be in the perfect place at the perfect volume and I’d say mission accomplished.

Standouts for me include: Lit From Within and Vespers, but they’re all lovely.

I’ve always loved this band, but this is an exceptional release.

Track Listing
1 Lit From Within
2 Merge
3 Hunt for the Heart
4 Confidence Trick
5 Was I Not Your Muse?
6 Shock of It All
7 After the Gold Rush
8 Vespers
9 Somniloquy
10 Rosabelle: Answer – Tell

[The Endless Official Site]

Check out their video series on the making of this album. Really interesting stuff!

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The post Album Review: Somniloquy by The Endless first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Album Name: Battler
Artist: Gregory Douglass
Year/Label: 2009 / Emote Man Music, BMI

[Buy the record]

Review by Amy Producer of Collected Sounds

I know I say this every time I review his work, but each time Gregory puts out a new record it is even better than the last. I always think, ‘well this one is the best, he’ll never top it.’ And yet, each time he does.

There are still several songs on Up and Away that I am completely and totally in love with and that won’t change, but I’m so happy that I have a whole new batch to make a part of my personal soundtrack.

His voice is in lovely form and the songs are written and performed in such a way to showcase this beautifully. There’s so much emotion in his voice and his songs you can’t help but get pulled in.

In his earlier releases, I noticed a sort of sameness among many of the songs. I’m seeing now that he’s taking some really great chances in rhythms and tempos as well as key changes and minor notes that bring a whole new layer to his songs.

There’s an art to making your songs sound different enough from each other to make the total album very interesting while still maintaining your unique sound so that no matter what song is heard the listener knows immediately it’s you. I think Gregory has perfected this.

This is a wonderful record, definitely one of my favorites of the year so far (I know it’s early, but it’s easy to call this one).

Early favorites (though I know eventually I’d name them all): Broken Through, Day of the Battler, Sadly (gorgeous backing vocals by Anais Mitchell), and I think my favorite is Lifeline. Today anyway.

Track Listing
1 Broken Through
2 Cathedrals
3 Devotion
4 Day of the Battler
5 No Apology
6 Stay
7 Madeline
8 Sadly (feat. Anais Mitchell)
9 This Is My Life
10 Lifeline
11 Harlequin
12 Ordinary Man (feat. Grace Potter)

[Gregory Douglass Official Site]

The post Album Review: Battler by Gregory Douglass first appeared on Collected Sounds.