Sophie Payten (her given name) according to Wikipedia “worked at Prince of Wales Hospital as a doctor, after completing her medical studies at The University of New South Wales in 2018.” Yes, a doctor.

I discovered Gordi through the feature on Amazon music called My Discovery Mix. It just plays songs it thinks you will like and I have to say their algorithms are pretty spot on. It was first playing stuff from her 2017 release, Reservoir (I don’t recall which song) but I liked it enough to make a note to check out her other music.

I think I like her new album, Our Two Skins even better. “Aeroplane Bathroom” is really pretty. Her sound is sort of echoey, ethereal. There are some nice harmonies and cool melodies. Some of the songs have a bit of an 80s feel (my heart). I guess it’s the guitars. Anyway, I really hope you check out her music. Like, subscribe, stream, buy the album, etc.

Official Site

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The post Discovery :: Gordi first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

Miki Huber released an album I reviewed a long time ago and now she reruns with a new ep under a new name. It’s a lovely record with some truly stunning songs.

Opener “The Road” is soft and vaguely recalls Juliana Hatfield.

“Coal Mine” is a softly strummed song with some intriguing lyrical ideas.

“What’s it For” is dreamy and sweet, Huber singing in a very appealing way.

“Valentine Boat Song” ends the ep on a good note, vocal harmonies set to a relaxed note and a tune to die for.

It’s a lovely ep and I hope she records more and soon.

Track Listing
1. The road
2. Heaven
3. Coal mine
4. Snow
5. What’s it for
6. Valentine Boat song

[Lilamayi Official Site]

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Album Name: Sensual Journeys
Artist: Fiona Joy Hawkins
Year/Label: 2012 / Little Harley Music

[Buy at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]
[Fiona Joy Hawkins Official Site]

Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

Pianist Fiona Joy Hawkins has made several nice albums and this new effort is an equally fine effort.

Opener Contemplating is a nice, slow meander with whispered words and a lovely melody.

Flight of the Snowbird sees Hawkins at her most expressive at the piano, and it has a dreamy quality that’s a joy to hear.

Frozen Rose is an intriguing song with a cinematic feel that works really well.

Moving On has vocals in Gaelic by Heather Rankin and it’s a comforting song with a great piano line.

It’s another great album by Fiona Joy Hawkins.

Track Listing
1. Contemplating
2. Joy
3. Flight Of The Snowbird
4. Gliding On Air
5. From The Outside
6. Song Phonique
7. Frozen Rose
8. The Midnight Interlude
9. Moving On
10. White View
11. View From My Studio

[Fiona Joy Hawkins Official Site]

The post Album Review: Sensual Journeys by Fiona Joy Hawkins first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Album Name: World’s End Amateur Melodramatic Society Ball
Artist: Peter Lacey
Year/Label: 2012 / Pink Hedgehog Records
[Buy at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]

Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

I’ve reviewed several of Peter Lacey’s records and they’re always good. This new one has a fanciful title and some fun songs.

The title song is a stately Beatles-y reverie of times gone and times to come.

First Light is a dreamy and fluid acoustic song of the sort that Lacey does well.

Maudlin Lane is an up-tempo ditty that has some of the Fab Four’s sense for melody and whimsy.

The closing They’re Playing Our Tune is a neat way to round off another fine effort by Peter Lacey. It’s a melancholy yet hopeful song.

Track Listing
1) Worlds End Amateur Melodramatic Society Ball
2) Magic Shadow Show
3) First Light
4) Leave Well Enough Alone
5) Percy Cute
6) Maudlin Lane
7) I Didn’t Get Where I Am Today
8) Miss Daisy Hawkins
9) Lark!
10) Half Way House
11) The Last Pierrot
12) They’re Playing Our Tune

[Pink Hedgehog Records]

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Album Name: Unchartered Territory
Artist: Michele Ari
Year/Label: 2012 / Independent

[Buy at artist’s site]

Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

After two previous eps, Michele Ari returns with an equally deft new effort. She plays emotionally charged rock and with great élan here.

Opener Wounded Man has a great central riff, and a gorgeous mood to boot.

The title song is a rockin’ tune with a great melody. Ari’s vocal is wonderfully deft. She resembles Debbie Harry here and that’s always cool.

Live Without This is a sensitive ballad that brings out her softer side well. She sings of lost love with a great deal of empathy and insight.

Too soon the closer Real comes along. It’s an electrically charged powerful number that leaves you wanting more.

It’s an ep that makes the listener aware of just how gifted Michele Ari is. And this stuff is catchy enough to be on the radio, though has enough edge to be taken seriously.

Track Listing
1. Wounded Man
2. Unchartered Territory
3. Little Wars
4. Live without this
5. Real

[Michele Ari Official Site]

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Album Name: We Are Not the Same
Artist: Lux
Year/Label: 2012 / Independent
[Buy (used) at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]

Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

David Chandler and Leah Rosen are Lux and this is their debut album. It’s a pretty mixed bag of styles, but it all holds together well.

Coroner’s Office is a synthy and poppy song where Chandler sounds suitably laconic.

The Window sees Rosen on vocals with a sweet tone and a catchy very eighties backing. It’s a perfectly summery song and it might endear itself to the listener by that fact alone.

Cerebellar Ataxia is a haunting moment that sees the duo making some very filmic music. It sounds like a sci-fi soundtrack with swirling synths and moody tones.

I’ll Try to Ignore the Fact That You Are Drowning is a harder-edged track that sees Chandler assume a more energized tone and it suits him well.

It’s a remarkable album all told.

Track Listing
1. Coroner’s Office
2. Out Of Love
3. The Window
4. Valerie, They’ll Never Understand
5. Little Cripple
6. X 3
7. Cerebellar Ataxia
8. Candy Lux
9. Cachexia
10. A Study In Apathy (Drugs, Etc)
11. 1000 Airwaves
12 I’ll Try To Ignore The Fact That You’re Drowning
13 Blackout

[Lux Official Site]

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Album Name: Stratospherical
Artist: Black Fortress of Opium
Year/Label: 2012 / Independent

[Download at Amazon]
[Buy at Bandcamp]

Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

Black Fortress of Opium follows an impressive debut with an equally deft sophomore album. Ajda Snyder is an impassioned frontwoman, then as now.

Afyonkarahisar Battle Cry hails back to the bands’ name, which is from a Turkish town. Brian Viglione from Dresden Dolls plays drums here and on the rest of the album impressively. The song’s anthemic nature recalls Velvet Underground at its finest and adds other influences skillfully.

Fata Morgana is a dreamy song with a gorgeous vocal by Snyder, and a melody to cherish.

Right Around Here is a poppy moment, with an instantly memorable tune. Snyder’s vocals hide a dark tale.

Get the Timing is a soft acoustic husht hat brings out the best in Ajda’s voice.

This album has a variety of styles, and it all works together as an impressively cohesive work.

Track Listing
1 Blood Diamond 4:15
2 Afyonkarahisar Battle Cry 4:58
3 Blind 5:35
4 Fata Morgana 5:14
5 Regret & Rue 5:24
6 Right Around Here 4:53
7 Unraveling 3:05
8 Southern Hymnal 3:06
9 Cherry Blossom 4:14
10 Get The Timing 4:38
11 This Dark Cloud 7:32

[Black Fortress of Opium Official Site]

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Album Name: On a Shingle Near Yapton
Artist: David Francis
Year/Label: 2011 / Monochrome Museum

Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

I’ve reviewed David Francis in the past, and his new album is a strong effort. He has a singular style and a way with words.

Dream London is a fittingly dreamy effort, Francis’ vocal supported by guitar and strings.

Song of the Earth is a sensitive, eco-friendly song that Francis and his collaborator John Mono handle well.

Shores of Inhumanity has surreal yet believable lyrics about man’s inhumanity and a tune that’s memorable.

Anthem for Green England closes the album on a good note, Francis painting a picture of a world desired.

It’s a good record and then some.

Track Listing
1. You’ve Come To See Me
2. Dream London
3. Warming Up
4. Song of the Earth
5. Execution of a Spy
6. Shores of Inhumanity
7. Nobody
8. The Girl Got On
9. Need You
10. Anthem for Green England (Feat. The Global Village)

[David Francis Official Site]

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Album Name: Worship
Artist: Ane Brun (Ft Jose Gonzales)
Year/Label: 2012 / Ais

In the meantime, if you want to spend some dough*, you can:
[Buy at Amazon]
(*Or get someone to give it to you as a gift, as I did!–aal)

Review by David Adair

Slow stirring acoustic waves trickle into the sombre and stern vocals of Jose Gonzales, before the sauntering Scandinavian, Ane Brun supplies some brooding clarity, ‘Worship’. Chilling, chiming percussion punctuates this delving folk, gospel and low-key indie stirring sojourn. A poetic, lyrical edge makes the song mean something to those with a tender disposition:

“My heartbeats can be your silver lining; just listen to them.”

The ‘Henrik Schwarz Remix’, adds a fuzzy digital toe to contrast with the searching vocals. It gives a bit of a laboured lag to the number. Brun’s austere song-crafting is overshadowed a little by Gonzales’s presence. It is still apparent that she has depth and heart in abundance, though.

Rating: 3/5

[Ane Brun Official Site]

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Single Name: Cold
Artist: Blood Red Shoes
Year/Label: 2012 / Operative Music

[Buy here]

Review by David Adair

A Katie-Jane Garside vocal crawl creeps up behind biting guitars, thrusting percussion and the growling backing touch of Steven Ansell, ‘Cold’. It represents a step into a heavier direction for this maturing Brighton pair. The angelic Laura-Mary Carter, sings like she has been possessed by the demonically hypnotic percussion combos. Her “what did I do?” sweeter than sweet vocal touch, returns a cappella style to contrast with the gritty churn of the rest of this fresh number.

Desperation and determination walk hand in hand, as this adventurous pairing adds some bite to their growing armour. This prelude to new album ‘In Time To Voices’ (V2 26/03/12), will have their growing fan-base practising feisty dance movements in eager preparation for it.

Rating: 4/5

[Blood Red Shoes Official Site]

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Album Name: Mooniture
Artist: Anna Atkinson
Year/Label: 2012 / Independent

[Buy at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]

Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

Anna Atkinson makes thoughtful, lovely music on this album. The opening title song is dreamy and reminds me of Sarah McLachlan early on.

Only a Fiddle is a slow yet tense song that she handles well. Her vocals are utterly gorgeous.

Lucybelle is a song that flirts with a cabaret feel, and does so well. The lyrics about daring to live a little are fun.

The closing Days like Cinnamon is a fitting way to end the album. The piano ballad has scope and range, and the vocals are lovely.

It’s a fabulous album all told.

Track Listing
1. Mooniture
2. Old Man Song
3. Only a Fiddle
4. Careful, My Dear
5. E Minor Waltz
6. Lucybelle
7. Hushabye
8. Intermission
9. All We Have to Do
10. Days Like Cinnamon

Anna Atkinson Official Site]

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Album Name: Heart Like Feathers
Artist: Robert Deeble
Year/Label: 2012 / Mind Bomb Publishing/ Dead Letter Records
This album is not out but can be pre-ordered from site. Check the links below too, might be available there in time.

[Buy at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]
[Buy at his site]

Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

Robert Deeble returns after a lengthy absence with a new record. His style is folksy and very appealing.

The opening title song has a gorgeous hushed sound, Deeble’s vocals softly murmuring in the wake of a memorable tune.

Undertow features Anna-Lynne Williams of Trespassers William and she gives a typically lovely vocal performance that becomes a good counterpoint to Deeble’s dreamy delivery.

Exhale is a dirge-like song that he easily inhabits, giving a thoughtful performance to a sweet melody.

Hearing voices, seeing ghosts is a haunting track with a lovely tune that he handles well.

It’s a gorgeous album well worth hearing.

Track Listing

01. Heart Like Feathers
02. Suzanne
03. Undertow
04. Eucharist
05. Weeds
06. Exhale
07. Hearing Voices Seeing Ghosts
08. The Colors of Dying
09. Scarecrow
10. Sunflower

Robert Deeble Official Site]

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Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

Allison Tartalia relased the album “Ready” back in 2002 and as Allison’s Invention she has just done an ep that’s emotionally sung and has great tunes to boot.

Clean is a cathartic song about facing the past and looking forward to the future.

The title song is a gorgeous piano ballad filled with uncomfortable truths about relationships. Her vocal delivery is wonderfully strong.

Ran sees her struggling with the past and present dreams, to a tune that’s powerfully built.

The closing, Just a Body, is a truly stunning closer, Tartalia dealing with her mother’s death. “It’s just a body, it isn’t her” she sings, a both comforting and sad thought. She’s moving on but the scars are clearly visible.

It’s a remarkable ep.

Track Listing

1. Clean
2. Sweet and Vicious
3. Ran
4. Pangaea
5. New Low
Just a Body

Allison’s Invention Official Site]

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Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

Peter Lacey has made impressive records in the past, and his new effort in the vein of Brian Wilson is no exception.

The title song evokes carefree summer, no mean feat in December. Lacey’s harmonies definitely lean towards the Wilson tradition, but with his own slant to it.

She’s a Rainbow is a nicely evoked delicate moment, still with those stellar harmonies in place.

A Pool of Thought sees Lacey in a poetic and very spacey moment that fits right in with the rest of the tracks.

Why? is a wonderfully sad song about a breakup with some lovely melodic touches.

This album creates memories of summers and carefree days in the best ways.

Track Listing
1. We are the sand
2. Drinkin’ in the sunshine/Notes from Cornwall (pt 1)
3. There’s a feeling’
4. Part of a rock
5. She’s a rainbow
6. Come what may
7. A pool of thought
8. Why?
9. Full Circle
10. Time, Less reason
11. An open heart/Notes from Cornwall (pt2)
12. Naomi’s song
13. Call it a day

[Peter Lacey Official Site]

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Album Name: A Very She & Him Christmas
Artist: She & Him
Year/Label: 2011 / Independent
[Buy at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]
[Vinyl! at Amazon]

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

Just like you, I fell in love with Zooey Deschanel’s voice (and let’s be honest, her in general) in the scene in Elf where she’s singing, Baby it’s Cold Outside in the shower at the department store.

So when she began her musical career I was very happy. I have She & Him’s first album, but it didn’t grab me like I had hoped it would. I felt her voice wasn’t used to it’s fullest potential. Like it was being made into something it wasn’t. So I didn’t get their second album.

But when I saw that they had a Christmas album I was thinking, ‘finally, we’ll get to hear her like I wanted to!’.

Yes and no.

Some songs put so much echo on her voice is sounds like she’s singing in a bubble. (Christmas Day, for one. I have to skip past this one).

Christmas Wish: I think I just don’t care for the song. I get that hey want it cheesy, but it’s like, above-[Carpenters]-cheesy. A bit much for me. I like M Ward’s voice so it’s not that.

While Baby It’s Cold Outside is on here, she sounds different than she did before on this song. Maybe it’s the absence of Will Farrell (I highly doubt it). It’s good, it just needs more lounge or something. It’s too rushed and echoey. I dunno. Personal taste and all that.

The good news:

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas is excellent. Her voice is perfectly matched to the arrangement, and it’s slowed down a bit from what I’m used to. It’s lovely.

I’ll Be Home for Christmas is nice too. I like the touch of the…is that a ukelele? See, this is a good amount of cheese.

Sleigh Ride is nice. They both sing on this one and sound great together.

I like the mournful Blue Christmas as well. See I’m not a total Grinch!

Even though I don’t celebrate religious Christmas, I do like Santa Christmas, and I like holiday songs for the most part. It’s always fun for me to hear contemporary people do old standards. So this is a good bet, especially for 5 smackers!* But I’d say for future releases, to turn down the echo. She has a good voice, it doesn’t need to be altered like that.

Though if you want the true Christmas spirit, the one I grew up with, pick up [Frank Sinatra].

*Drat, it’s 10 now. Still a good deal.

Track Listing
1. The Christmas Waltz
2. Christmas Day
3. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
4. I’ll Be Home For Christmas
5. Christmas Wish
6. Sleigh Ride
7. Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree
8. Silver Bells
9. Baby, It’s Cold Outside
10. Blue Christmas
11. Little Saint Nick
12. The Christmas Song

[She & Him Official Site]

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Album Name: Christmas Joy
Artist: Fiona Joy Hawkins
Year/Label: 2011 / Little Hartley Music

[Buy at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]

Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

Fiona Joy Hawkins has made some great music in the past, and now she makes a tasteful seasonal album.

Walking in the Air becomes a becalmed lullaby with some excellent piano playing.

Silent Night is rendered beautifully and with a demeanor that guarantees a fresh take on the song.

O Come O Come Emmanuel gets an equally tranquil and fresh take. Hawkins piano sounds wonderful as ever.

Flight of the Snowbird is an exceedingly lovely song that she inhabits easily.

I don’t normally review Christmas albums but this one is too good to leave out.

Track Listing
1. Walking in the Air
2. Still Still Still
3. Silent Night
4. Jingle Bells
5. Gliding on a Sleigh
6. Christmas Wedding
7. Come O come Emmanuel
8. Flight of the Snowbird
9. The Holly and the Ivy
10. Christmas Joy
11. Away in a Manger

[Fiona Joy Hawkins Official Site]

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Album Name: Lost With You
Artist: Ellie Lawson
Year/Label: 2011 / Independent
[Buy at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]

Review by DaveAdair

Pitching a stall between the vocal quirkiness of Bjork and the searching tones of Alanis Morissette, backed up by a stretching guitar push and toe tapping percussive rubs to illustrate the longing on display, ‘Lost Without You’. Lawson combines aching tendencies with a soothing, yet sombre touch that builds upon a rhythmic platform, providing for movement of the mind and body.

Gospel backing, carefree whistling and a soulful folk feel, lends more pace and a feeling of ease to ‘Change the Way’. Philosophical lyrics bear out the life-delving. An Eliza Doolittle slant to the vocals, underlines the points made about perspectives on life. This approach is immediately contrasted by the pleading, echoing, bass propelled and soul-pop lagged, ‘How Hard We Try’.

Ardent dedication to song and mood building is a noticeable feature throughout the five track EP that builds up a charming pop base, but isn’t afraid to wander off from it. ‘Ba Ba Da’, finishes things off in a chiming, melodious and low-key, lullaby spirited manner. Putting an exclamation mark against previous points made about Lawson’s singer/songwriter prowess and adventure.

Rating: 4/5

Track Listing (note: Track listing may be in a different order)
1. Change the Way
2. Ba Ba Da
3. Lost Without You
4. How Hard We Try
5. Don’t Wanna Be More Than That

[Ellie Lawson Official Site]

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[Download at Amazon]

Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

I reviewed Tirill Mohn’s debut album a few years ago. She follows it with a setting of W.B Yeats’ poetry to music on this new cd. She follows in the path of the Waterboys a few months ago with this endeavor. Musically it’s a delicate, folksy record with gorgeous vocals.

The Cap and Bells is a soft version of the poem, with Tirill’s sweet vocals emoting against a fitting backing.

To a Child Dancing in the Wind trades on the Irish folk tradition and is the better for it. Tirill’s voice is at the core and it works really well.

Before the World Was Made is another fine use of Yeats’ beautiful words, Tirill singing angelically to an acoustic backing.

The Wild Swans at Coole is a fitting closer to this lovely work, Tirill’s voice supported by well-placed backing vocals and a soft guitar.

Tirill Mohn’s second album has been worth the wait, and listeners should rejoice.

Track Listing
1. Do Not Love Too Long
2. The Cap and Bells
3. He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven
4. To a Child Dancing in the Wind
5. Parting
6. The Fisherman/ Carolan’s Ramble to Cashel
7. Before the World Was Made
8. The Song of the wandering Aengus
9. The Song of the Old Mother
10. The Wild Swans at Coole

[Tirill Official Site]

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Album Name: Writing Letters
Artist: Ange Boxall
Year/Label: 2011 / Little Vixen Records

[Buy at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

[Note: I wrote this review over a year ago, but the record just hadn’t come out. I checked again today and it’s now out!]

I reviewed Ange’s previous release, Release and I loved it. It even made it onto my best of the year for 2005. I remembered her being kinda fun and quirky. But when I saw the cover art on this one I thought ‘wha?’. It looked very mild and folksy. And know what? It kinda is! Especially the first few tracks.

I guess it shows how an album cover can really alter how you interpret the music. I really saw her previous release as more edgy than this one, but now that I listen to it again, I am not so sure. I still love it, and it still deserves to be at the top of my list, I just have a different take on it. But this is the one I’m supposed to be reviewing so let’s get to it.

Her voice is still lovely. She’s kinda country. This is not how I remembered her. *Shakes head* Mind blown a little. So yeah, this one has a different flavor for me. There’s less of a rat-a-tat beat and more folksy smoothness. I like both styles so it’s all good.

Electric Blue has some lovely guitar picking and shows her voice nicely. There’s a nice video for this one too.

The Salt Plains has more of the full band, steel guitar and feel I think of her sounding like.

I also really like Brigette & Tuesday. I know it looks like I only listened to the middle three songs, I swear that’s not it. I listened to all of it. Many times! Those are just standouts for me.

I guess I’d say this album is a more country, mellower version of the Ange Boxall I remember, but it has been five – SIX years. I guess we all mellow over time! (now watch, in five years she’ll release a punk record).

Track Listing
1. Fool For Now (feat. The Wrights)
2. Loving Between The Lines (feat. Jim Lauderdale)
3. Electric Blue
4. The Salt Plains
5. Brigitte & Tuesday
6. Wagon
7. Lucky Day (feat. Jd Souther)
8. Mystery Man
9. Going Home On A Sunday
10. Gonna Give It Up (feat. Steve Arlene)
11. Writing Letters In My Sleep

[Ange Boxall Official]

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Album Name: Bonfire Diaries
Artist: Metal Mother
Year/Label: 2011 / Post Primal
[Buy at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]
[Buy at Bandcamp]

Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

Tara Tati is Metal Mother and on this fascinating album she sues her talents to create ethereal yet grounded music.

Ashes is a dreamy song that sees Tati use her witchy voice against an interesting backdrop. It’s kind of like a less surreal Cocteau Twins.

Post Weekend is a becalmed piece with plenty of space to develop in. Tati’s vocals are serene and poised.

Lost Story weaves eerie vocals into an intriguing song that Tati easily inhabits. It’s almost unbearably lovely.

The closing Billy Cruz is a wonderfully strident song with a memorable tune. Tati’s dreamy vocals are the icing on the cake.

It’s a lovely album.

Track Listing
1. Shake
2. Ashes
3. In The Bones
4. Post Weekend
5. Vices
6. ‘W’
7. Lost Story
8. Gold Lasso
9. Gold Lasso, Unfolded
10. Willow
11. Billy Cruz

[Metal Mother Official Site]

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Review by Dave Adair

Haunting, echoing sonic rock with a The Sonic Youth/The Cardigans kick and, the coup de grace of a Blondie in chill out mode edge to the vocals is the chosen approach, ‘Faded Glory’. Jill Sullivan’s vocal display is one of variety and her build up to the lofty delivery of the poetic part of the lyrics, lends the song some vocal mystique to go with the murky accompaniment.

This expansive, driving atmospheric rock foray is one of the more compelling, meaningful and well built numbers from the hit and miss ‘Spitting Daggers’ album. It’s a song that takes on even more potency in a live setting.

Rating: 3.5/5

[Sparrow and the Workshop Official Site]

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Review by David Adair

The overall impact of the mysterious Little Fish, who seek to build upon the momentum gained through the release of their debut album last year. Is that of Alanis Morrissette and PJ Harvey, combining together to try and cram an eight minute song into four, ‘Wonderful’. Some colourful production skills provided by courtesy of the Supergrass Gaz Goombes, gives the song a sparkle and a radio friendly edge. Juju’s vocals flit from theatrical to delving, as openness towards significant others is well and truly extolled.

A combination of lost mystique and spirited drive given off by Juju, shows an artist who loses herself in the music and takes the term performer, very seriously. Little Fish, with this mini-epic shows how you can lose yourself in your music and invite everyone to do the same.

Rating: 4/5

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Album Name: Jump with a Child’s
Artist: Annie Crane
Year/Label: 2011 / Constant Clip Records

[Download at Amazon]

Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

Annie Crane has a pure voice and a contemporary folk style that’s easy to love.
The opening title track is a plaintive yet intriguingly sweet track. The lead vocal is lovely and the tune haunting.

“Copenhagen Heart” is a dreamy and suitably sensitive song that Crane handles with her usual élan.

“Hell’s Gate” is slow and sinuous, replete with sadness and hard-earned wisdom. Crane weaves her tale with true skill and makes it remarkable.

“Salinger Said” is a quirky and likeable little tale, with a sweet tune. Her voice is strong here.

It’s a wonderful album all told.

Track Listing
1. Jump With A Child’s Heart
2. You And Me And The Evergreen
3. Copenhagen Heart
4. Money Only Hates Me
5. Hell’s Gate
6. The Island Manhattan
7. Ghost Body
8. Salinger Said
9. Lookin’ Out

[Annie Crane Official Site]

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Review by David Adair

Winding electro tainted pop from Los Angeles’ Kaplan (Piper and Skylar) siblings delivers a sound that pounded Top of The Pops in the 80s, ‘Slivers Of You’. The message is not important, it’s all in the moment from the range of aching instrumentals, to the slightly lurid, echoing yet, occasionally downbeat vocal push led by Piper.

‘I’ve Got Some Happiness (Leland)’, starts off in a fatter, fuzzed up digital manner that allows the vocals to slow down and give off a forlorn feel. Mogwai strolling out of an Amsterdam cafe with A Hawk and a Hacksaw sums up the backdrop. It allows for the sisters to add their own vocal echo and inner searching. The number gets close to reaching epic blues proportions, falling just shy of the four minute mark. These two tracks speak of a depth of influences and a desire to explore other parts of pop music than pure melody. It’s refreshing just for that fact.

Rating: 3.5/5

[Puro Instinct Official Site]

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Song Name: Ghoulish
Artist: Poly Styrene
Year/Label: 2011 / Future Noise Music
[Download at Amazon]

Review by Dave Adair

Digital tinkering and gruff, yet coasting femme vocals that are pitched somewhere in the void between Client and Sinead O’Connor, defiantly pushes out a message promoting boldness when acting upon feelings of attraction, ‘Ghoulish’. A twisting instrumental increases in profile, to give body to this electro-pop foray that shows up Poly Styrene’s ability to be catchy and earnest.

‘Hercules & Love Affair Remix’, accentuates the warming, yet strained vocals and gives a more ambient slant to the instrumentals, making the track more brooding and contemplative. There is enough here to raise interest in the ‘Generation Indigo’ album that this number is taken from.

Rating: 3.5/5

get the album

Poly Styrene Official Site]

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[Download at Amazon]

Review by David Adair

A soft harmony laden accompaniment paves the way to the stirring, carefree, yet thought delivery of Melody Van Kappers, as simplistic lyrics are delivered with an endearing charm for this pop-folk sojourn, ‘RASTAKRAUT’. This quaint, cosmopolitan half-sibling pair uses a slightly fuzzy, key-led intro’ to create an air of bemusement and mild confusion.

Building upon the relative success of their first EP, ‘Not Evident’ in 2010, The Narcoleptic Dancers vibe here is one of a thoughtful Dear Eskimo. This number is inviting, yet a little mysterious in its simplicity. This makes for a perfect pop-folk crossover of a number.

Rating: 4/5

[The Narcoleptic Dancers MySpace Site]

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Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

Scarlet Season is the new project by Aileen Paron who released the strong album Anonyma in a more singer-songwriterly style. The new sound is less organic, but still compellingly drawn. Paron’s lovely vocals and piano have a place so all is well.

Counting Days sees Paron reach for a synth sound not unlike recent Goldfrapp though with a sadder heart.

Horse Fury is a recent single and a truly stunning track. Paron’s gorgeous vocals take centre stage and her piano provides a strong backdrop. The title song is an almost theatrical ballad with a truly lovely melody.

Something I Can Feel is a powerful track that recalls latter day Depeche Mode in a cool way.

It’s a strong album and I hope Aileen Paron stays with this sound a long while.

Track Listing
01 Almost But Not Quite
02. Counting Days
03. History of Violence
04. Horse Fury
05. Suicide Pilot
06. B&D
07. The Taxidermist
08. Something I Can Feel
09. Rewind
10. Ashes

[Scarlet Season Official Site]

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Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

I got Allie Moss’ album awhile back and put it in my rotation. I did note that I liked the songs when they came up but that’s about all the energy I put into it. What can I say, I’m a passive music listener right now.
But once I started listening to it on its own I was able to form some more opinions.

Firstly, that her voice in the opening song, Corner, is very reminiscent of Ingrid Michaelson. (I just found out that Allie plays in Ingrid’s band and they’re buddies!)
Her voice is sweet and she often uses a bit of echoey harmony backing vocals.

I love Melancholy Astronautic Man partly because of the cool title, but it’s a really nice song too.

This is a nice album to sing along to…I mean, with which to sing along…

Track Listing
1. Corner
2. Dig With Me
3. Melancholy Astronautic Man
4. Late Bloomer
5. Let It Go
6. Something to Hold On To
7. Leave It All Behind
8. Rally
9. Days I Regret
10. Passerby
11. Prisoner of Hope (Bonus)
12. Make Your Move (Bonus)
13. Anywhere to Find You (Bonus)
14. Way With Words (Bonus)

A video for you!

[Allie Moss Official Site]

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I have a new band for you! They’re called Raleigh and they are: Clea Anaïs-Vocals, Cello, Keys; Brock Geiger – Vocals, Guitar, Bass; and Matt Doherty – Drums.
They’re from Calgary (you knew I’d like it, they’re Canadian!). They remind me a little of Fleet Foxes, a little of Belle & Sebastian…lovely dreamy layered pop. Here’s how the pros describe them:

“Beautifully layered songs that are as delicate as they are sophisticated. Tight vocal harmonies interweave and counterpoint with instrumental arrangements that sound far larger than their lineup might indicate. Geiger and Anaïs’ lyrics are both literate and accessible, creating an entire storybook world where characters are well rounded and familiar, traveling through settings that are all their own.” – BeatRoute Magazine

Buy at their Bandcamp site: [here] (or use the doo-hicky below)

1.Tunnel Vision
2.Balloon Boy
3.Drip
4.Wordlessness
5.Murderer
6.Godspeed
7.Casper
8.Without Wings
9.Marrow
10.Savant

Live dates here:
May 5th – Toronto, ON – The Tranzac (w/ Laura Leif)
May 7th – Toronto, ON – Rancho Relaxo (w/ David Hustler & the Trustworthy, Negar)
May 8th – London, ON – Craven Cottage (house show w/ Laura Leif)
May 9th – Peterborough, ON – The Ossia (w/ Deadhorse)
May 14th – Edmonton, AB – Brixx Bar & Grill
May 25th – Canmore, AB – The Drake Inn
May 28th – Calgary, AB – Grace Presbyterian Church (w/ Dan Vacon, Clinton St. John) *CD Release Show*
June 9th – Edmonton, AB – New City
June 11th – Calgary, AB – Ship & Anchor
June 18th – Kelowna, BC – The Streaming Cafe
June 22nd thru 25th – Calgary, AB – Sled Island Festival
July 13th – Penticton, BC – Voodoos
July 14th – Vancouver, BC – The Railway Club
July 21st thru 24th – Calgary, AB – Calgary Folk Festival

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Review by David Adair

Expect a hearty, hollow percussion nudged mingling together of jungle, pop and soul for Ane Brun’s fourth studio album. If this meditative, atmospheric lead single, Do You Remember is anything to go by? This reflective songstress slots her hovering vocals into line with the gospel, slightly tribal and distanced backing cries, as well as the ambient percussive touch.

One Last Try, represents an instrumental shift towards seeping keys, allowing this sincere songstress to instil a more chatty edge to her vocals, as she talks of an emotional dilemma. Poetic longing dominates the lyrics and its impact is helped by the clear, yet calming vocal profile. Brun’s reputation as a soothingly serious performer looks set to be enhanced.

Rating: 3.5/5

[Ane Brun Official Site]

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Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

Chiara Angelicola aka Bird Call has done an ep of covers and it works fine for her. The opening version of Kate Bush’s The Man with Child in His Eyes doesn’t stray far from the original but for the Björky vocals. It’s enough to make it work.

Nick Cave’s Into My Arms is done in a restrained style and again it’s her unique vocals that sets it apart from the original. Here she sounds like Björk arm-wrestling Karin Dreijer Andersson.

The version of Fleetwood Mac’s Little Lies is an intriguing revisit to the radio-friendly classic. Angelicola slants the song a little and finds an angle that’s all her own.

The remix that closes the ep takes it further in an intriguing fashion.

This all makes me wonder what her own songs sound like. This is cool but I want to hear her do original material next.

Track Listing
1. The Man With The Child In His Eyes
2. Lost Cause
3. Creature Spirits Move
4. Into My Arms
5. Little Lies
6. Doo Right
7. Little Lies (Big Lies Remix)

[Bird Call Official Site]
[Bird Call Reverb Nation Site]

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Album Name: Vienna
Artist: Diana Berry and Dim Dim
Year/Label: 2011 / Lovebird
[buy at her site] scoll down the news window and there’s a link to buy on PayPal. Sorry I cannot link directly.

Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

Diana Berry and Jerry “Dim Dim” Dimmer return with another fun set of songs.

The electronic beat of opener Go Another Round promises summer fun and it sure delivers.

The title song is a bit more exotic, Berry’s vocals meeting a slow melody and Dimmer’s ukulele. It’s a dreamy and cute song.

Fairy Tale Love Time uses a synth-heavy backdrop to create a suitably quirky and fun song. Berry’s vocals are lovely here.

One of a Kind is a soft and appealing song, Berry and Dimmer at their easy and confident best.

It’s a neat album in all.

Track Listing
1. Go Another Round
2. Meant To Be
3. Vienna
4. Big Mama
5. Fantastico
6. Ecstasy
7. Fairy Tale Love Time
8. Recipe
9. In Soul
10. One Of A Kind
11. Give In
12. No Problem

[Diana Berry and Dim Dim Official Site]

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Album Name: Snakes In The Grass
Artist: Sparrow and the Workshop
Year/Label: 2011 / Distiller Records
[Download at Amazon]

Review by David Adair

A lightweight Amy Leigh trying to snatch the karaoke mic whilst a The Cranberries song is being attempted, is the disappointing and laboured feel given off in ‘’Snakes In The Grass’. This is delivered by the cosmopolitan troupe, Sparrow and the Workshop. Their debut album of last year has been seen as the modernisation of folk and plenty rests on their second album, ‘Splitting Daggers’ (released 30/5/11 on Distiller Records), to cement that achievement.

Unfortunately, this single lacks any bite or range, as the cyclical guitars and one dimensional, mid-tempo percussive trot, fails to set things up for the well pitched, hovering delivery of Jill O’Sullivan. It seems as though the song is set up to illuminate the lyrics, but these fail to captivate or even stir. Better is needed, but will no doubt come with the rest of the second album.

Rating: 2.5/5

Track Listing

[Sparrow and the Workshop Official Site]
Tour dates:

Sun 29th – Roadhouse – Manchester

Mon 30th – Academy2 – Liverpool

June:

Wed 1st – The Forum – Sheffield

Thur 2nd – South Arts Centre – Reading

Jun 3rd – Clwb Ifor Bach – Cardiff

Jun 4th – Lousiana – Bristol

Jun 6th – Hoxton Bar & Grill – London

Jun 7th – Slade Rooms – Wolverhampton

Jun 18th – Willowman Festival – North Yorkshire

July

24th – Secret Garden Party- Cambridgeshire

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Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

Shona Foster’s debut is a multi-faceted record with plenty of good songs.

The opener Number 34 rests on a choppy beat and has a superlative vocal by Foster. It’s a little like Regina Spektor.

Dancing Leaves shows Foster at her best, a sinuous ballad with a vocal to be awed by. She has a way with these things.

Bad Intentions is a cool up-tempo ditty with a melody that seems to unfurl nicely. It’s almost jazzy and Foster’s vocal really delivers the necessary cool reserve.

Collision closes the promising album on a cool note, Foster’s vocal swooping over an assemblage of neat instrumentation.

It’s a confident closer to a wonderful album.

Track Listing
1. Number 34
2. Queens
3. Dancing Leaves
4. Dusk
5. Love And War
6. Oh Patience
7. Bad Intentions
8. Sew Over It
9. Where We’ll Go
10. Ferris
11. Be Bold
12. Collision

[Shona Foster Official Site]

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Album Name: Medication Time
Artist: Scarlette Fever
Year/Label: 2011 / Starfisch Records
[Buy at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]

Review by David Adair

A twining together of the feministic and feisty worldliness of Thea Gilmore with the rustic, stern tug of Tori Amos and the soothingly mystical charm of Beth Orton, is the overall impression given off by the Hertfordshire born songstress, Scarlette Fever. Who turned down a career in marine biology to allow us to sink into her musing, uplifting and, at times, illuminating mindset. ‘Crash and Burn’, opens out the album in a haunting indie stroll kind of a way, creating the perfect platform for rising delivery of the pleading, life grabbing lyrics:

“I should take my own advice, but I’m only human.

Why don’t we roll the dice? When I lose I’d risk it all…

So what if we crash and burn!”

There’s plenty of atmospheric searching peppered around a full bodied pop chorus and general indie guitar lag, ‘Black & White’. With Fever’s clear hovering gait it was never going to be long before a swooning ode is filtered into proceedings, ’Good Day’. Soft and cushioning vocals give the song sincerity and this sincerity shakes away any forcedness that often attaches to numbers of this ilk. It’s a vibe that trickles into the humbling, wandering ballad, ‘Praying For Change’. It makes for an extended, poignantly tender interlude.

‘Elated’, brings out a little of the Katie Melua in our heroine, as she coasts over the stepping key-led instrumental and mixing in a broody, but warm vocal touch. When this sauntering songstress lifts her vocals and hits the higher keys, the emotion starts to tug at you and paves the way for the weeping strings. Symphonic touches draw you into the darkly veiled strut of ‘Single White Female’. It is contrasted by the lobbing, worrisome low key pop trip, ‘You Don’t Know My Name’. There is range, heart and lyrical depth aplenty as this debut album takes on a ranging and wandering vibe.

‘Lovestruck’, is a playful pop pearl that offers some needy respite from the realism and stern slower numbers that are scattered around. Fever will continue to grow and her enthusiastic approach is infectious.

Rating: 4/5

Track Listing
1. Crash And Burn
2. Black & White
3. Hour Of Sunshine
4. Good Day
5. Praying For Change
6. Let’s Go Shopping
7. Cheatin’ Man
8. Elated
9. Single White Female
10. You Don’t Know My Name
11. Face The Facts
12. Lovestruck
13. What Would You Do
14. Looking Glass

[Scarlette Fever Official Site]

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Album Name: Be Here
Artist: Rachel Platten
Year/Label: 2011 / Independent
[Buy at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

I know I said I wasn’t going to do reviews anymore, but I also said I would tell you about stuff I really liked… and I really like this album. It was sent to me a few weeks ago and I love it. I have been listening to it a lot lately. It’s in the more pop-realm than some of the stuff I tend to like. But it’s just so infectious I can’t stop.

I first heard Rachel Platten’s name when she was listed as an artist on a Sixthman cruise. At least I thought so. Now when I look at all the cruises I don’t see her on any of them. I might have dreamed it. But anyway, I’m glad I found out about her however it happened. At times I am reminded at times of Marie Frank, as well as Angel Taylor.

One particularly catchy track is Overwhelmed. You’ll be singing it for days.

1,000 Ships is the first single and I can see why. Here she reminds me of Ingrid Michaelson.

Don’t Care What Time It Is is a bit more rhythmic and funky. It’s very cool. I actually like all the songs on this one. It’s a gem. I’d say if you like any of these artists mentioned you’ll be happy with this album. Thrilled even.

Track Listing
1. Nothing Ever Happens
2. Overwhelmed
3. Don’t Care What Time It Is
4. 53 Steps
5. Little Light
6. 1,000 Ships
7. Take These Things Away
8. You Don’t Have To Go
9. All I Seem To Do
10. Remark
11. Big World Spin (Acoustic) [Amazon MP3 Exclusive]

[Rachel Platten Official Site]

Here’s the press release.

New York-based musician Rachel Platten is releasing her album “Be Here” on April 26, 2011, and her schedule is jam-packed leading up to and following release date. She recently added a plethora of new tour dates (see full schedule below) with headlining shows and some tour jaunts with Lucy Woodward, Bess Rogers, and labelmate Tony Lucca. For fans who can’t make it to a show, Platten has scheduled a very special online [StageIt Release Day Show]cat 7 p.m. eastern. Earlier this week, radio stations welcomed the release of her single “1000 Ships,” and fans received an exclusive sneak peak at the accompanying video on [YouTube]. (sorry, can’t embed).

With a smile that lights up the room and style sensibility to match, it’s no surprise that Rachel Platten has also been receiving much attention from the beauty and fashion community this month. She is featured as April’s spotlight artist for Tone Skin Care’s “Backstage Pass” online series ( www.facebook.com/toneskincare), and love-at-first-listen track “Nothing Ever Happens” was used in designer Rachel Roy’s fall campaign. In addition to working with Roy, Platten has also collaborated with and been sponsored by fashion brands Banana Republic and Quiksilver. She is scheduled for a repeat performance at Banana Republic’s flagship store on 34th Street in Manhattan on May 19th after the success of her performance at the store in November.

For someone with so much on the calendar, it’s enough to make the head spin, but Platten keeps her focus. In keeping with her debut album’s title (“Be Here”) she says, “My goal is to be present in the moment and not worry about what’s behind or in front of me.” With music that the LA Music Examiner says is “artfully crafted and joyfully accessible,” Platten, who meshes catchy piano hooks with her unmistakably soulful, and uplifting voice, creates music that boasts elegantly crafted, deeply melodic, intelligent songwriting, resounding with echoes of the Beatles and Carole King, Kate Nash and Regina Spektor: her music is infectious, raw, and powerful. Selling out clubs along her rigorous tour schedule, Platten infuses a unique love and passion into each and every one of her performances. Boston born and raised, Platten was classically trained on the piano from a young age and started performing while in college and studying abroad in Trinidad. Naming influences such as Toots & The Maytals (who she was asked to tour with in 2006), Elton John, Carole King, Billy Joel, Lauryn Hill, and The Beach Boys, Platten attempts to do what she feels these artists do so beautifully – infuse often weighty, serious subject matter with light and melodic intelligence that is both instantly catchy and uplifting.

RACHEL PLATTEN TOUR SCHEDULE:
4/26/2011 StageIt Online Release Day Show ( http://www.stageit.com/rachelplatten/rachel_platten_album_release_web_show/2276)
4/27/2011 Philadelphia, PA / Milkboy
4/30/2011 Boston, MA / The Red Room at Cafe 939 (w/ Lucy Woodward)
5/1/2011 Fairfield, CT / Stage One @ Fairfield Theatre (w/ Lucy Woodward)
5/3/2011 New York, NY / Le Poisson Rouge (w/ Lucy Woodward) **ALBUM RELEASE SHOW**
5/5/2011 Easton, MD / Stoltz Listening Room @ Avalon Theatre (w/ Lucy Woodward)
5/11/2011 Orchard Park, NY / Mac’s Village Brewhaus
5/12/2011 Seneca Falls, NY / Bill’s Run Grille
5/13/2011 Orchard Park, NY / O’Neil’s Stadium Inn
5/14/2011 Middleburgh, NY / Renaissance Arts Studio
5/17/2011 Vienna, VA / Jammin Java (w/ Tony Lucca)
5/18/2011 Asbury Park, NJ / The Saint
5/19/2011 New York, NY / Banana Republic Event (34th Street Location)
5/20/2011 Pilegrove, NJ / Enoteca Wine Bar (w/ Tony Lucca)
5/21/2011 Newton Square, PA / Burlap and Bean (w/ Tony Lucca)
5/22/2011 Long Island, NY / Hotel Carolina Presents Wine & Music – Raphael Vineyards (w/ Tony Lucca, Parker Ainsworth, Keaton Simons)
5/26/2011 Hartford, CT / Black Eyed Sally’s
6/1/2011 Lewiston, ME / Geiger Factory Show
6/3/2011 Lyet Lobby @ Millersville University / Lancaster, PA (w/Bess Rogers)
6/7/2011 New Hope, PA / John & Peter’s (w/Bess Rogers)
6/8/2011 Easton, MD / The Night Cat (w/Bess Rogers)
6/9/2011 Washington, DC / Ebenezers Coffehouse (w/Bess Rogers)
6/10/2011 Baltimore, MD / 8 X 10 (w/ Bond and Bentley, Bess Rogers)
6/11/2011 Charlotte, NC / Evening Muse (w/ Bess Rogers)
6/12/2011 Atlanta, GA / Park Tavern (Unplugged in the Park sponsored by 99X; w/Bess Rogers)
6/14/2011 Columbia, SC / New Brookland Tavern (w/ Bess Rogers)
6/17/2011 Gatlinburg, TN / Hard Rock Cafe (w/Bess Rogers)
6/18/2011 Charlotte, NC / Tosco Music Party Beatles Night (w/ Bess Rogers)
6/22/2011 Columbus, OH / Brothers Drake (w/ Bess Rogers)
6/23/2011 Pittsburgh, PA / Thunderbird Café (w/ Bess Rogers)
…much more to be confirmed soon

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Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

Gabi Epstein is an actress and singer and this is her debut album. She’s supported by a talented band, who follows her lead expertly.

You’re Gonna Hear From Me opens with a confident jazzy tone, and a peerless vocal.

Corner of the Sky is vampy and strong, Epstein handling the song with her usual finesse.

I’d Rather Cha Cha Than Eat is an amusing run through the song that she handles well. Her vocal is teasingly perfect, and the backing subtle and cool.

An unexpected trawl through Tom Petty’s I Won’t Back Down lends the song a good quality in Epstein’s capable hands.

She has a strong voice but knows when to hold back. That makes all the difference on this brilliant album.

Track Listing
1 You’re Gonna Hear From Me
2 Show Off
3 I Would Have Wanted
4 Corner of the Sky
5 Cruella De Vil
6 Good Mother
7 I Am Changing
8 I’d Rather Cha Cha Than Eat
9 Unusual Way
10 I Won’t Back Down
11 Laila, Laila

[Gabi Epstein Official Site]

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Album Name: In the Cool of the Day
Artist: Daniel Martin Moore
Year/Label: 2010 / Sub Pop
[Buy at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]

Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

Daniel Martin Moore decided to record a spiritual record with the aid of some simple instrumentation and he’s done a good job of it.

All Ye Tenderhearted opens the album on a hushed, yet urgent note.

O My soul is one of his own songs and it’s a comforting and persuasive tune. The slow tempo becomes restful rather than too inanimate.

The title song was penned by Jean Ritchie and has a reflective, almost Nick Drake-like sensitivity.
Moore’s vocal is a quiet and thoroughly magnetic presence.

Set Things Aright is one of Moore’s own songs, and it ends the album on a positive note.
He manages to sing about faith without being preachy, and that makes for an arresting magnetic album.

It’s well worth a spin.

Track Listing
1. All Ye Tenderhearted
2. Dark Road
3. My Soul
4. In The Garden
5. Closer Walk With Thee
6. Up Above My Head
7. Softly And Tenderly
8. In The Cool Of The Day
9. It Is Well With My Soul
10. Lay Down Your Lonesome Burden
11. Set Things Aright

[Daniel Martin Moore Official Site]

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Album Name: Clocks and Hearts Keep Going
Artist: Tanya Davis
Year/Label: 2010 / Independent
[Download at Amazon]

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

This is one that’s been in my rotation for months and at first it didn’t catch my ear. But over time, as the songs came up in rotation and I knew them better, I started feeling a bit of a kinship with her voice and the songs in general.

Tanya Davis has a sort of muffled sounding voice, like she’s eating the microphone. But it’s cool and matches the music well.

She reminds me a tad of Audra Kubat on Mourn Your Losses, vocally mostly (I actually made this same note numerous times). It’s a lovely song.

Tra-la-la is a little more upbeat and has a bit of a country vibe to it.

I like Fauna too. It’s the last song on the album, and even thought I was not really paying close attention at the time, somehow knew it was the last song. It’s a really great way to end the record.

Track Listing
1. Please Bless
2. Mourn Your Losses
3. Tra-la-la
4. Eulogy for You and Me
5. Sad Secret
6. Don’t Bury Me
7. Hush, Little Weeper
8. One Room
9. Sweep The Dust
10. Fauna

[Tanya Davis Official Site]

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The post Album Review: Clocks and Hearts Keep Going by Tanya Davis first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Album Name: Honeymoon Punch
Artist: Jenn Grant
Year/Label: 2011 / Six Shooter Records
[Buy at Amazon] but it’s pricey now

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

I first heard of Jenn Grant when I saw that she’d be on the Ships and Dip cruise (the only female, by the way, which is another beef for another post). So when I saw she’d be on the boat, I quickly downloaded her previous album, Echoes.

About a week later this one popped up in my inbox. I hadn’t really spent enough time with the other one to make comparisons, but the general consensus is that her second record is much happier and peppier.

We open with the great line, “You look like a movie start from this angle…” and it grows into a great lively pop song with electric guitars and slightly distorted vocals.

Before getting this album, I had seen the video online for Getcha Good which I was immediately addicted to.

How cute and fun is that?

The rest of the album is just as good. Not the same, mind you, but good. Very good.

She gets a little more subdued on Paradise Mountain using echoey background vocals and acoustic guitar.

All Year is reminiscent of Ingrid Michaelson. Sweet, catchy fun pop.

Heart of Sticks is another favorite.

I will add that she’s so fun to see live. She’s the only artist on the boat who I saw play every time she had a show (at least all her scheduled ones). She is silly and quirky and someone I wanted to have drinks with. She talked a lot and I love that in a live act.

But until you can see her live, snap up this album, it’s great. Then when she plays my living room (dreaming) you’ll know all the songs!

Track Listing
1. Oh My Heart
2. How I met You
3. Baby’s Been Away
4. Paradise Mountain
5. All Year
6. Getcha Good
7. Parliament of Owls
8. Heart of Sticks
9. Walk Away
10. Stars to Waves

[Jenn Grant Official Site]

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Album Name: Wild Birds
Artist: Kristilyn Robertson
Year/Label: 2010 / Independent
[Download at Amazon]
[CDBaby]

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

I’ve been a fan of Kristilyn for awhile now. Since she sent me her first CD, [The Uncut Version], back in 2005 when it made my best of the year list.

She has a very distinctive (and lovely) voice and it’s interesting to see how it’s changed over the years and how she’s grown as a songwriter.

These songs for the most part are pretty soft and mellow. Though Stand Up! Is a little more up-tempo and deserves the exclamation point at the end.

It’s hard to pick a favorite here because I really am a fan of all her work, but I’ll go ahead and say that today I’m really enjoying the title song, Wild Birds. I may change my mind tomorrow.

Oh wait, I also really like the jazzy cabaret feel of One Point Seven Seconds.

This is a top-notch record. If you enjoy great piano playing, interesting songs and strong female vocals, get it.

Track Listing
1. Toward the Ocean
2. Dinner for One
3. Stand Up!
4. My Favourite Storm
5. Wild Birds
6. What Could I Tell You
7. One Point Seven Seconds
8. Made of Gold
9. A Pretty Garden
10. Scavenger
11. Not Today
12. (bonus track)

[Kristilyn Robertson Official Site]

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Album Name: Amourettes
Artist: Les Chauds Lapins
Year/Label: 2011 / Barbès Records
[Download at Amazon]

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

Well, I do love me some French pop (music, not soda) and this band is no exception. Though there’s a touchy of old timey cabaret to this. Part is the compositions and part is the production. There’s something about it that just seems old. And I mean that in the very best way possible. As in, I feel I’ve gone back in time.

Les Chauds Lapins means The Hot Rabbits. And I don’t mean temperature-hot if you get my drift..wink-wink. The band is headed up by Kurt Hoffman and Meg Reichardt and they specialize in re-arranging French swing classics from the 1920s through the 40s. So this is a bit different from most of the other stuff in my rotation and I will say it’s a very welcome surprise.

This is perfect for playing when you are having a French themed cocktail or dinner party. What? You don’t do that often? You should!

I’d also love to see them live. But for now, crank it up and pretend you’re in Paris in the 30s.

Track Listing
1. Nouveau Bonheur
2. Cette Nuit La
3. Le Fils de La Femme Poisson
4. Je T’Aime
5. Presque Oui
6. Vous Avez L’eclat de la Rose
7. Quand j’etais Petit
8. C’est arrivé
9. Voulez Vous Danser|Madame
10. Si Je m’etais couché
11. Ce Petit Chemin
12. Moi|je crache dans l’eau
13. Pluie

[Les Chauds Lapins Official Site]

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Album Review: Deeper Reality by Natasha England with Logan

Album Name: Deeper Reality
Artist: Natasha England with Logan
Year/Label: 2010 / Platform

Review by David Adair

Alanis Morissete blindsided by the dark undertones of PJ. Harvey, is the initial impression given off by Natasha England, Darkside. Mood implanting backing digitalism takes on a low-key and mildly harrowing stance, sitting off England’s delivery of her troubled by love lyrics.

Only two tracks into this explorative electronic album and England ably assisted by the adept production of Logan, switches the tempo by adding a soulful glide and some muffled vocal distortion. Imparting shades of grey to an otherwise black and white tale of love’s ability to set you free, Come. The album then slows down and a vocal strain instils heart and longing, Strange.

A creeping, fuller bodied, yet lower key electronic steer creeps into Stop Doing Nothing, to add a more thoughtful and reflective vein to this moody full-length. England has an ability to impart her own mood into a song, almost independent from the instrumental, but still she manages to keep the songs even. This aids her ability to switch from pop to straight out electro without it appearing too laboured.

How Do You Like It? , is a rustling slow electro tilted, political nettle grasping epic, showing that electro can be slowed down to chilling effect in order to communicate your bemusement:

There’s a young boy lying by the side of the road, an old man dying alone and cold.

A family starving on the other side: a world of corruption nothing but lies.

The Passion, ups the tempo and a jungle bound is kicked into the percussion and electro slant, as the vocals take on a more distanced stance to filter in a more ambient lag. It makes the song harrowing, yet compelling and the mood ranging really starts to take effect as the album heads towards its conclusion. England and Logan show that an electro album can contain mood building epics without them feeling too forced or fake.

Rating: 3.5/5

Track Listing
1. Darkside / Come
2. Strange
3. Stop Doing Nothing
4. Wasted Lives
5. Life’s For The Living
6. How Do You Like It?
7. Not In A Million Years
8. The Passion
9. Deeper Into Reality
10. Remember Me (Waterfall)

[Natasha England Official Site]

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Album Name: The Britannicas
Artist: The Britannicas
Year/Label: 2010 / [Kool Kat Musik]

[Download at Amazon]

Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

The Britannicas play classic pop and they sure do it well.

Joe Algeri, Magnus Karlsson and Herb Eimerman make up a dynamic group of seasoned singers and songwriters.

Baby Say Yeah Yeah hails charmingly back to classic sixties pop and has a nice Beatles-y vibe.

One of these Nights is another crystal-clear charmingly retro pop nugget that these guys do so well. It brings a smile to my face.

Stars is an equally deft love song with some harmonies to die for. The Britannicas really nail this classic sound and keep it fresh for today.

Blue Sky Grey is a folksy delight that has a wonderful melody and a nicely accomplished sound.

It’s a wonderful debut all told.

Track Listing

1. Those Good Vibrations
2. Baby Say Yeah Yeah
3. Friday Night Alright (Come Out And Play)
4. The Girl From Malasna
5. One Of These Nights
6. Don’t Go Back
7. Stars
8. Ordinary Day
9. Good Luck
10. Blue Sky Grey
11. Love Trap
12. The Other Side

[The Britannicas MySpace]

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Album Name: The Past Ain’t Far
Artist: John Scheaffer and Ceramic
Year/Label: 2010 / Independent
[Download at Amazon]

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

The first few notes of the opening song are very ear-catching. The song is pretty slow, but melodic and easy on the ears.

One of the notes I wrote about this band is “Nice vocals. Cayamo-ish.” Which won’t make sense to anyone who doesn’t know what Cayamo is. It’s the music cruise I went on last year. It focuses on singer-songwriters mostly in the folksy/Americana vein.

This band would fit nicely on that festival. It’s mellow and laid back, but almost to the point of sounding samey. I like the songs, but it’s hard for me to listen to the whole album at once, I feel I want more variety.

But they’re a good, talented group writing nice songs.

Track Listing
1. You Give More Than Enough
2. Who’s Gonna Guide the Night
3. How Can I Return
4. Angels in the Desert
5. Blue Comet
6. How’d You Get So Down
7. The Past Ain’t Far
8. The Wait
9. Velvet Coat
10. Lose the King

[John Scheaffer and Ceramic Official Site]

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Album Name: Something Else is Waiting
Artist: Lithium Seven
Year/Label: 2010 / Independent
[Buy at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

This is a nice EP, it’s short at only three songs, but it gives a nice intro to the band.

The lead singer (Shawn Gormley, I believe) has a comfortable soothing voice. The songwriting is good, the songs are pretty catchy. I’d call it folk-y rock with a touch of Americana.

The title track is probably my favorite of the three. It’s got a nice rhythm and easy-going feeling.

There’s a little mandolin on Arizona that adds a great touch.

The name comes from the actual element. On their website it says:
7Li is stable with 4 neutrons…
— we have 4 members that keep the band balanced and stable.

Here’s a video of the title track.

Track Listing
1. Get To Montana
2. Something Else Is Waiting
3. Arizona

[Lithium Seven Official Site]

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Album Name: Hearts on Hold
Artist: Tu Fawning
Year/Label: 2010 / City Slang

[Download at Amazon]

Review by David Adair

Femme vocal grime of the Katie Jane-Garside meets Charlotte Gainsbourg and Bjork at a Bram Stoker theme night ilk, litters the oblique spare guitar twisting instrumental for opener, ‘I Know You Now’. Singer, Corinna Repp uses her haunted and harried style to make her determination the focus, with hovering soulful backing and seeping ambience providing a worthy distraction. More overall mystique and jungle percussion rhythm shows up early the broadness of this evergreen Oregon collective, ‘The Felt Sense. Aching backing vocals also help to set the stage up for the clearly searching lead vocal cascade, before a percussive rattle wrenches out the ambience and a ranging mini-epic is conjured up.

The gothic undertones that have become a signature of this band mingles with the steadfast percussion. A seeping organ touch and gospel backing, instils a chilling richness to ‘Diamonds’. Meaningful lyrics slot possessions into their natural perspective and a nourish element is spookily filtered in.

Repp seems to conduct the mood-building with her varied tones, managing to deliver desperation, without scrimping on the clarity. A 50’s blues pop toe seeps into ‘Sad Story’, as a horn march sneaks up on the trickling keys and a stirring vocal stammer mingles in well. It gives the song a compelling vibe. Shortest track on offer, ‘Mouths Of Young’ weighing in at just under three and a half minutes, is an alternative lullaby, featuring an edgy yet calming femme/male vocal back and forth. Before Repp pleads hauntingly:

“How does a songbird sing for the world? And how does our loneliness deserve what a songbird sings?”

The above encapsulates a rare ability to communicate loneliness without appearing one bit sappy. Daniel Powter would be able to fill an A4 pad with the notes he could take about this skill after listening to one Tu Fawning track! Clanging ambient keys build up for a quirky gothic/orchestral intro to the down-key and slightly morbid, ‘Hand Grenade’. It shows up an adept ability to grate and grind the listener into a state of submission, with plenty of help from the slowly delivered, but grilling vocals.

‘Hearts On Hold’, is an album that that separates the elements of Repp and co’s songs so that the listener can appreciate the song-crafting process. Be it the slowly delivered demonstrative vocals, the mood implanting keys or the deftly atmospheric guitars? Tu Fawning continue to be atmospherically compelling, and, at times, chilling and increasingly varied.

Rating: 4/5

Track Listing

[Tu Fawning Official Site]

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Album Name: One Light is Gone
Artist: Josienne Clarke
Year/Label: 2011 / Hatfish Music Ltd
[Download at Amazon]

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

This is one of those albums that upon first listen I like. I like it, I don’t love it. But I like it enough to keep listening. Then by the 10th play or so I’m totally in love. I remember feeling this way about an artist named Audra Kubat. In fact, the two ladies have a similar style. Sort of a lo-fi, 70s folk sound.

Yes, the songs all sound similar, until you really spend some time with them.

Josienne aside from having a gorgeous name, has a gorgeous voice to match. It’s got a clear, full quality. Reminds me a tad of Joan Baez. I sense an accent here though. I’m going to go ahead and guess French, before even reading her bio. Hang on while I go check…hmm, it doesn’t say actually, except saying she’s from Sussex. Well, at any rate, it’s very appealing.

The guitar playing is lovely, particularly on Way to the Shore.

A Troubled Win is really lovely.

This is quite a nice record. It’s going in my personal rotation.

Track Listing
1. The Birds
2. Midnight Moon
3. All My Truth
4. By The Fire
5. On The Ropes
6. One Light Is Gone
7. A Black Night
8. Out To Sea
9. How To Tame A Lion
10. Die Trying
11. Way To The Shore
12. An End
13. Done
14. A Troubled Win

[Josienne Clarke Official Site]

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Album Name: Banging the Rocks
Artist: Sharp Practise
Year/Label: 2010 / Ryehabour Records

[Buy at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]

Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

Nigel Clothier has fronted Sharp Practise for eleven years now, and it shows. The new album is rock with a real heart to it.

Sound of Rock is a low-key celebratory track with a witty lyric and some great guitar playing by Simon Foley.

Girls Don’t Look is a funny look at contemporary mores which avoids being too preachy.

Screw the Earth is a bitter look at the environmental issues facing us all. The tune is upbeat and tight to boot.

Monsoon Rain is an upbeat, happy tune with some great guitar lines. Clothier’s vocal is energized also.

It’s a terrific album all told.

Track Listing
1. Sound Of Rock
2. Question of Love
3. My Revolution
4. Girls Don’t Look
5. Nothing is More
6. Screw The Earth
7. I will decide
8. Hook in My heart
9. Bring on the summer
10. Monsoon rain
11. Come to know
12. Season of the Rose

[Sharp Practise Official Site]

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Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

I’ve been a fan of Cake’s since way back. I hadn’t listened to them in awhile until a couple of months ago when someone on a message board I am on mentioned them. It had me feeling nostalgic so I dug out all their previous CDs one day and listened to them in my car for a week. It was about 3 days after that I heard they were releasing a new album. The world is a mysterious place.

Showroom of Compassion is their newest album since 2007’s album of B-Sides and Rarities (of which I wasn’t even aware!).

I can’t say their sound has changed much, but that’s a good thing. They have a very distinctive style that most of us have come to love and it’s still going strong.

Opener Federal Funding is great at welcoming you back into Cake’s distinctive sound.

Mustache Man (Wasted) is a super fun dancy party song. You’ll have fun singing along with this one with a beer in your hand. There’s always at least one song on their records that is the sing-along favorite, this might be it.

I also really like Sick of You. Very catchy and radio friendly. In fact, I think I may have heard this one the radio. It’s got that great guitar line we’ve come to expect from Cake.

The Winter has a cool Beatle’s quality.

Italian Guy is silly and great.

This is a really fun album from a band who never disappoints.

Track Listing
1. Federal Funding
2. Long Time
3. Got To Move
4. What’s Now Is Now
5. Mustache Man (Wasted)
6. Teenage Pregnancy
7. Sick Of You
8. Easy To Crash
9. Bound Away
10. The Winter
11. Italian Guy

[Cake Official Site]

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