The post Album Review: Right on Time by Ellis first appeared on Collected Sounds.
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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
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]]>The post Album Review: The Comfort Zone by Laura Comfort first appeared on Collected Sounds.
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Album Name: The Comfort ZoneArtist: Laura Comfort
Year/Label: 2010 / Comfort Zone Music
[Buy at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]
Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell
Laura Comfort’s debut has a suitable title; it really is comforting, calming experience in the Dido vein.
Opener Take a Chance advises to take opportunities when they are presented. Her vocal is utterly gorgeous here.
So So sweet lives up to it title as relief allows her lovely voice to sweep amid a sensuous melody with a pop flavor.
Mountain is a somewhat suggestive song that layers the vocal and the tune is lovely. It has a danceable beat that sounds cool.
It’s Always Love is a rhythmic yet sensitive song that she easily handles. It’s one of the best tracks here.
It’s a very nice debut in all.
Track Listing
1. Take a chance
2. Was it me?
3. So so sweet
4. I realize
5. Mountain
6. What is it to be
7. Can’t get enough
8. Addicted
9. It’s always love
10. Bye bye baby
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]]>The post Album Review: I’m Having Fun Now by Jenny And Johnny first appeared on Collected Sounds.
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Album Name: I’m Having Fun Now
Artist: Jenny And Johnny
Year/Label: 2010 / Deprecious Music
[Buy at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]
Review by David Adair
The coming together of a prodigiously talented performer, ex-child star and Rilo Kiley steerer Jenny Watson, with the lyrical passion and drive of alt. Folkster Jonathan Rice, has always been a potentially mouth-watering prospect. Having occasionally joined each other onstage in their respective music careers this texturing of the country/folk and mild rock genre was always on the cards. Sparsely ambient percussion provided by courtesy of Rilo Kiley’s Jason Boesel and, Lewis’ longingly expressive and echoing vocals are coated by the mystical intoxicated lag of Rice for the varied, atmospheric folk twist of Scissor Runner. The expected lyrical nous of the pair is celebrated with literary references and sharp prose, as well as the odd edgy extended vocal trade off between the two leads in the political nettle grasping, My Pet Snakes:
“Two thousand and nine was a bastard of a year, I cannot get stoned no more I only get the fear.
We could have it out or we could have another beer? All the best of luck with your career!”
Acoustic weaving and boldness shines out through the lovelorn Rice vocal toed, Switch Blade and, when percussion boldness takes over for the lo-fi folk rocking Big Way, a neat contrast is achieved. Religious undertones filter through some of the numbers, such as in the slow and full bodied percussion boomed, sternly lingering and gruff male vocal kicked, Animal.
A drawling acoustic indie toe and lagging vocals spews out urban mysticism and heart, New Yorker Cartoon. It represents the smoothest vocal interaction between Jonny and Jenny, having the ability to warm you with smoothness yet set off your melancholy with a mild blues lag. Just when you think that you have been showered in enough refreshing variety, the coup de grace of a Status Quo strutting guitar pushed, Committed gives you the opportunity to get your stomp on.
Collaborations are usually hit or miss and, are often done through a hint of desperation to bring freshness to acts that are going stale. This is certainly not the case here, Lewis and Rice retain their individuality and freshness yet combine their qualities, variety and enthusiasm for music making, extremely well.
Rating: 4.5/5
Track Listing
1. Scissor Runner
2. My Pet Snakes
3. Switchblade
4. Big Wave
5. While Men Are Dreaming
6. Animal
7. Just Like Zeus
8. New Yorker Cartoon
9. Straight Edge Of The Blade
10. Slavedriver
11. Committed
[Jenny And Johnny Official Site]
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]]>The post Meet Phoenix Hart first appeared on Collected Sounds.
]]>Phoenix embraces a wide range of musical styles from country, to pop and recently decided to give her own interpretation of some popular songs.
Here she’s done a cover of a Katy Perry song, Hot N Cold:
and here’s a free MP3!
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]]>The post Album Review: Fall of Spring by Lonely Drifter Karen first appeared on Collected Sounds.
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Album Name: Fall of Spring
Artist: Lonely Drifter Karen
Year/Label: 2010 / Crammed Discs
[Buy at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]
Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds
This is a good one for me to post today since it’s my birthday, and I really like this one! It’s super cool.
Lonely Drifter Karen is Tanja Frinta, Marc Melia Sobrevias and Giorgio Menossi. I’m not quite sure how to classify this. It’s really kinda…I know I can’t say unique because something can’t be sort of unique it either is or it isn’t. And while I know I’ve not heard anything exactly like it before, maybe you have. They remind me of a few other artists depending on the song.
This consists of:
Female lead, sweet lilting voice.
Background swoopy vocals, psychedelic-ish. Includes whistling.
Catchy songwriting that creates amazing ear worms.
Some songs are poppy, some torchy, some dirgy.
Something’s Scorching is definitely a stand out. It’s spooky and swampy and cool.
From start to finish this one’s great. It is an exceptional album and one that’s soaring to the top of my list.
They’ve agreed to let me share a track with you too! [download A Roof Somewhere]
Track Listing
1. Dis-In-Motion
2. Show Your Colours
3. Russian Bells
4. Railroad
5. Ready to Fall
6. Something’s Scorching
7. A Roof Somewhere
8. Julien
9. Eventually
10. Side by Side
11. Wonderous Ways
12. Seeds
13. Seasonal Things
[Lonely Drifter Karen Official Site]
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]]>The post Album Review: Brand New Day by Lindsey Ray first appeared on Collected Sounds.
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Album Name: Brand New Day
Artist: Lindsey Ray
Year/Label: 2010 / Independent
[Buy at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]
[eMusic]
Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds
I first caught wind of Lindsey Ray on e music when I was just browsing. She had an EP up there at the time and I downloaded it. I only listened a few times before I was contacted by her people requesting a review. They sent me her full length album and I’m happy to say it’s one of my current favorites.
This is bright sunshiny happy music. You just can’t be in a bad mood listening to this. Well, unless you’re a big cynic, then this will probably just piss you off that someone can be this happy-sounding.
Lindsey Ray has a very sweet but strong voice that suits this musical style to a tee.
You have probably already heard the catchy title song, Brand New Day as it’s in a Target ad.
There are other similarly zippy skippy happy songs, such as You Make Me Happy (“cuz you-hoo-hoo-hoo…oh-h-h you-hoo-hoo-hoo… oh-h-h you-hoo-hoo-hoo…you make me happy”).
The lyrics are sometimes silly, but sweet. “I’ll always love you like a bumble loves a bee” from Monkey and the Tree. Cutely enough, she also has a song called The Honey and the Bee which is substantially more subdued than the monkey one.
This is a happy feel good record for those rainy days when you need to be cheered up, or on those sunshiny days you want to bask in.
Track Listing
1. Goodbye From California
2. Brand New Day
3. Uncover
4. Anchor of Love
5. Monkey and the Tree
6. Sun
7. Weight of the World
8. Where I Belong
9. You Make Me Happy
10. The Honey and the Bee
11. Better Off
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]]>The post Album Review: Storyline by Storyline first appeared on Collected Sounds.
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Album Name: Storyline
Artist: Storyline
Year/Label: 2010 / Independent
[Buy at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]
Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds
This album is a little more poppy than I usually like. But I can’t help myself, it’s just so damn likable. This is 12 songs of fun girl pop. It’s a full band, which is lush and but still pop-rock.
I like lead singer, Ashley’s voice. It has a little bit of a lilt to it.
The song Welcome Home, which is a highlight here, was on their previously released EP of the same name.
They also do a cover of Bryan Adam’s Summer of ’69. It’s not bad, but it’s not all that different from the original.
Coming up for Air is a very radio friendly tune that fit nicely on a TV show. It will surely stick with you.
If you’re looking for some fun poppy, back to school music this ought to fit the bill.
Track Listing
1. This is our Moment
2. What You do to me
3. Welcome Home
4. Coming up for Air
5. Those Lies
6. Beautiful Disaster
7. Good Goodbye
8. Not Alone Tonight
9. Somewhere Out There
10. Summer of 69
11. Don’t Talk
12. Now That You’re Gone
They’ve also released an EP with 6 fun likable pop songs. It’s called Welcome Home:
[Download at Amazon]
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]]>The post Album Review: Knitting Songs by Savannah Jo Lack first appeared on Collected Sounds.
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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: Water Into Wine by Ellen Woloshin first appeared on Collected Sounds.
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Album Name: Water Into Wine
Artist: Ellen Woloshin
Year/Label: 2010 / 58th Street Records
[Buy at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]
Review by David Adair
It’s always a rocky, often long and drawn out road to tread, when a songwriter who has penned numbers for the likes of Dionne Warwick, sets out alone. New York resident, Ellen Woloshin seems to be making steady progress, as is confirmed in her new eleven track forage. Opening up with harmless and longing string spiked mini-epic, Making My Way Back (To Free) that’s friendly if a little unadventurous. More body and vocal echo that disperses a searching narrative with cold clarity is deftly applied for Joanna. A winding instrumental spread gives hope to cushion the delicately dealt blows of the fatalistic lyrics:
Something’s you just can’t change, you can turn every stone; you can try your hardest.
The tear in your soul remains and there’s nothing to do except cry your heart out.
Flitting from the haunting touch of Belinda Carlisle to the more colourful nod of Donna Lewis that is backed to the hilt, by an expressive and occasionally rising backing band, this album builds up in range, as the intrigue factor keeps on ticking over. Where Does All The Time Go, uses a partly harrowing and wandering key trickle to build up to the hovering alto vocals that speak of a worldly wisdom, promoting a positive outlook no matter what stage of life you’re in. Caressing backing vocals helps to make it warming, as well as serious and reflective. Pleading touches litter the album with a fleeting sense of urgency that contrasts with the often leisurely and composed vocal gait. A patting percussion pushed and stirringly charming run through The Beatles classic We Can Work It Out, illuminates Ellen’s ability to add life and her own slant to thoughtful numbers from bygone pop days.
Just Come Home, scatters out soulful defiance that seeps into the masterfully sung Let It Go Now, as a free spirit starts to grow. Woloshin is continuing to embolden in her song-writing flame that contains enough spirit, a little gusto, plenty of personality and a charming poetic resonance to help her make her own mark.
Rating; 3.5/5
Track Listing
1. Making My Way Back (To Free)
3. In My Dream
4. Round We Go Again
5. Where Does All the Time Go
6. We Can Work It Out
7. Don’t Talk to Me That Way
8. The Words
9. Just Come Home
10. Let It Go Now
11. You Break My Fall
[Ellen Woloshin Official Site]
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]]>The post Album Review: O My Heart by Mother Mother first appeared on Collected Sounds.
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Album Name: O My Heart
Artist: Mother Mother
Year/Label: 2010 / Last Gang Records
[Buy at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]
Review by David Adair
Naturally, it is always difficult to review a foraging and sun-kissed indie album from a Canadian act, without considering Arcade Fire. Mother Mother, in the title track, do have a lush and uplifting touch akin to Winn Butler and co, at times, but there’s also a splattering of Hal and The Delgados, as well as some yearning interludes and a touch of desperation is also chucked in for good measure. This second album soon shapes up into a ranging release, toying with emotions whilst retaining some playfulness.
In Body, a slight falsetto hold grips onto the vocals of Ryan Guldemond that is stretched out when his sister Molly joins in the act. Creating a beleaguered, yet strangely comforting pop epic that builds from an almost eerie, grinding bass led intro. This is also returned to for a bluesy outro, sandwiching the reflection and heart with grit and grime. It’s juxtaposed by a tender and slow yearning ballad, Try To Change. That sees the two vocalists digging deep for some heart-wrenching, covering a thorny topic that is the futility of trying to change. Molly’s vocal versatility is laid out to bare, when she provides for a mild soul infusion towards the end of this engaging snippet.
Through Ghosting, Mother Mother instils some spindling folk to slow things down, providing for some meditation and respite, as Ryan’s vocals unveil a positive and warm streak. It is another track demonstrating that backing vocals can add potency and pull to a song. This element is certainly no mere afterthought to this Vancouver quintet. The racing Placebo veined instrumental build up in Hay Loft, initially bolsters a track that soon morphs into a snazzy NU rave and New Wave conjoining razzle-dazzle. A forage through history shows that the true genius of pop is in the ability to deliver simple melancholy with melodious catchiness and sincerity. This is easily achieved through Arms Tonite, whereby Molly’s stern, but comforting vocal touch starts to take over. She indulges in a warming, yet darkly blurred exchange with Ryan. Easily giving The Magic Numbers a run for their money and somebody-else’s too!
Mother Mother have produced one of the freshest pop/indie conjoining albums of the decade so far and, it will take something special from the earlier mentioned fellow Canadian, euphoric pop darlings to top this.
Rating: 4.5/5
Track Listing
1. O My Heart
2. Burning Pile
3. Body of Yours
4. Try to Change
5. Wisdom
6. Body
7. Ghosting
8. Hay Loft
9. Wrecking Ball
10. Arms Tonite
11. Miles
12. Sleep Awak
The post Album Review: O My Heart by Mother Mother first appeared on Collected Sounds.
]]>The post Album Review: My Star by Marina V first appeared on Collected Sounds.
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Album Name: My Star
Artist: Marina V
Year/Label: 2010 / Independent
[Buy at Marina’s Site]
[eMusic]
Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds
I’ve reviewed Marina V several times in the past. I’ve had this one in my rotation for a few months now and perhaps I haven’t moved on it because I don’t want to have to remove it.
This is one of those albums that’s hard to review but that doesn’t mean I don’t love it. I do. And I adore Marina in general. It’s just that I’m not sure what I can say that hasn’t been said by me or someone else. Her releases are always lovely.
She opens with You Make Me Beautiful which is classic Marina. Catchy and massively appealing while still having an edge.
Her voice is just so warm and comforting. It always makes me smile.
Unbalanced is almost orchestral. It’s upbeat, but there’s a lot going on.
Tonkaya Ryabina is in Russian as you may have guessed. It’s a capella so her voice really shines.
Magical Christmas is sort of cabaret-ish with heavy showcase on piano, it sounds like we should be in a lounge sipping a peppermint martini. And it’s a lovely way to end the album.
Track Listing
1. You Make Me Beautiful
2. Thursday Song
3. Blue for You
4. My Star
5. Killing My Dream
6. Don’t Cry
7. Unbalanced
8. Weight of the World
9. Tonkaya Ryabina
Bonus track
10. Magical Christmas
The post Album Review: My Star by Marina V first appeared on Collected Sounds.
]]>The post Album Review: Eleven. Revert and Return by Midas Fall first appeared on Collected Sounds.
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Album Name: Eleven. Revert and Return
Artist: Midas Fall
Year/Label: 2010 / Monotreme
[Buy at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]
Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds
This one’s hard to write about. It’s really very cool, I’m just not sure what to say about it. So I’ll start by just describing it. Kinda echoey dreamy pop, but harder than regular dreamy stuff. Maybe it’s more fuzzy than dreamy. Really nice though, I’ve been digging it for months.
Midas Fall are from Edinburgh, Scotland (one of my favorite places on earth). The female lead, Elizabeth Heaton has a wonderful voice. It’s soft and luscious, but can also wail and reach (and I mean that in a good way). Maybe a little like Bat for Lashes, or someone else I can’t quite place. Help me out!
My favorite tracks are Moviescreens, Nautical Song (I wish I were on a sailboat listening to this), and 17 (some lovely piano).
This is the kind of music one can fall into.
Here’s a video which will give you an idea:
Track Listing
01. MovieScreens
02. Century
03. Bright Lights Will Harm No-one
04. Nautical Song
05. My Radio Star
06. Half Horizon
07. War Pigeon
08. Fog Sky Nun
09. 17
10. Stalking Moon
The post Album Review: Eleven. Revert and Return by Midas Fall first appeared on Collected Sounds.
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