Album Name: Right on Time
Artist: Ellis
Year/Label: 2010 / Rubberneck

[Buy at Amazon]

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

Well, I’ve sure known about Ellis for years. I think every single person who’s come to my house to do a living room concert has asked me if I know her, and I, myself, am surprised I don’t. But alas, I never heard her music until this album showed up in my mailbox.

Now I’m bummed that I’ve been missing out. I didn’t realize how sweet her music was. Maybe that’s a bad description, but I guess I was expecting more Melissa Ferrick (whose music I should like, but I just can’t connect with). But this is just somehow, I don’t know, just more appealing. She actually reminds me at times, of Brandi Carlile.

The songwriting is superb and her voice is a lovely blend of folksy and pop.

Coming Home to You is wonderful. It’s catchy and feels very comfortable.

I also really like Without a Compass, and Close to You. But in going through this album again to pick my favorites I realize I really do like them all.

Since I’ve not heard her other stuff I am unable to compare this release to her others. Maybe you, reader, can help out with that. But I’ll just say this is a great album and I’m really enjoying it.

PS sorry this review is so late. You have no idea how long it takes to find “Ellis” music/buy links on my various affiliate pages. Search engines are for sh*t and bring up every conceivable “Ellis” except her. Plus nothing was available online until today.

Track Listing

[Ellis Official Site]

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The post Album Review: Right on Time by Ellis first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Album Name: Knitting Songs
Artist: Savannah Jo Lack
Year/Label: 2010 / Independent
[Download at Amazon]

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

This is another one that I knew I’d like judging by the cover art. I can’t even explain it, but there you are.

Savannah Jo Lack’s style is interesting. It’s a combination of pop, folk, electric, and I don’t know what else.

The songs have great melodies that will stick with you. Her voice is very appealing and easy on the ears.

I like how some of the songs are pretty straight up pop, such as Old Man Perry, which has some nice plucky string and is reminiscent of The Paper Raincoat.

But then she throws in some more off-center ones. Masked Man uses some minor keys making it a little haunting.

Then Bitch is also really cool. It reminded me of Katy Carr on at least one occasion.

I’ve been listening to this one for a few months now and all the songs sound like old friends to me. This is the sign of a great album.

Track Listing
1. Blank Page Day
2. Little Girl
3. Bitch
4. Dancer
5. Papa Don’t Go So Fast
6. Old Man Perry
7. Masked Man
8. Knitting Song
9. Ocean Dreams
10. Long Way To Go
11. Too Short, Too Beautiful

[Savannah Jo Lack Official Site]

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The post Album Review: Knitting Songs by Savannah Jo Lack first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Album Name: Good People
Artist: Brothers Young
Year/Label: 2010 / Independent
[Download at Amazon]

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

Brothers Young really are brothers, at least three of them are. Their style is somewhat ambient, with a dose of folk. They tend to sing along together (as opposed to having a lead singer) giving a sort of choir like sound.

Guitar based and well written the songs are easy on the ears and even catchy at times.

Good Deeds is one of the more ear-wormy ones and luckily, it’s one they’re letting me share with you!
[Download Good Deeds]

Track Listing
1. True Shape
2. Good Deeds
3. The Roman Sun
4. Gold
5. Disorient the Night
6. Devon’s Song

[Brothers Young Official Site]

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The post Album Review: Good People by Brother’s Young first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Album Name: Vessel
Artist: Sylvi Alli
Year/Label: 2010 / Vertical Pool Productions

[Buy at Amazon] but pricy
[Download at Amazon]

Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

Having Reviewed Sylvi Alli in the past, I was happy to see that she had done a new album. Thankfully it follows her previous high standards. She records in an ethereal style and has a voice like few others do.

Opener Conduit is bleak yet offers wonderfully delivered vocals. There are no other instruments but it holds together anyway.

Gyre is a barely-there song with some celestial harmonies from Alli. Sort of like a warmer Dead Can Dance song.

Arbor Sea sees her reach some intriguing sounds, her vocals are lovely as ever and the delicately woven tune suits her fine.

Tyger has some impressive yet low-key atmospherics that Alli puts to good use. She uses William Blake’s poem of the same name to get her point across.

It’s a tranquil yet suspenseful album and it should be loved by many.

Track Listing
1. Conduit
2. North
3. Gyre
4. Naiad
5. Hex
6. Arbor Sea
7. Incant
8. Through the veil
9. Tyger
10. By Fire
11. Rising

Sylvi Alli Official Site]

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The post Album review: Vessel by Sylvi Alli first appeared on Collected Sounds.

Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

I first heard of Lissie when I found out she’d be playing the Cayamo Cruise. The very first song I heard sounded a little like she was singing off-key so I didn’t really give her a whole lot of ear time. Well, she ended up being my favorite new artist on the cruise. She has an amazing voice (not at all off-key and now I have no idea what song I heard when I thought that) and fantastic energy.

During one of her shows on the boat (I’m proud to say I saw every one) she mentioned that she was going to England after the cruise to work on her new record which would be released there first. For some reason this made perfect sense to me. I know some of the ladies that have done well over there and just knew it would be a good fit for her.

Even though her shows were solo, just her and her electric guitar, I just knew she’d sound great with a band. She did a lot of (bare)foot stomping and swinging that great head of hair around and I just pictured her with a band.

Anyway, back to the record. I can’t stop listening to it! It’s been in my car for weeks and every once in awhile I put a new CD in, listen to a few songs, then it’s right back to Lissie.

When I’m Alone is one I remember well from the live shows. But this version feels too produced and feels like they sucked all the soul out of it. I like it better live.

In Sleep is one of my favorites. It is reminiscent of some older (think 80s) songs I loved. But it’s still fresh. Look Away has this quality too.

Little Lovin’ might be my favorite. It starts out with pretty guitar and her lovely voice singing, “Appalachian farmer…” then by the end it’s foot stomping, clapping, whooping gloriousness.

Loosen the Knot allows her to rock out and really show her wilder side as well as her ‘ooooh-oh-oh’ vocalizations she does so well.

This is a great car CD where I can sing along at the top of my lungs while driving home from work. I just love this.

I’ll end with a song that’s not on the record, it’s a cover of Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance

Track Listing
1. Record Collector
2. When I’m Alone
3. In Sleep
4. Bully
5. Little Lovin’
6. Stranger
7. Loosen the Knot
8. Cuckoo
9. Everywhere I Go
10. Worried About
11. Look Away
12. Oh Mississippi

[Lissie Official Site]

The post Album Review: Catching a Tiger by Lissie first appeared on Collected Sounds.