Post by Chad Wilkens on Feb 27, 2004 17:47:13 GMT -5
Rachael Yamgata / EP
The protege/lovechild of Fiona Apple and Norah Jones, Rachael has that soft, smoldering voice that can be genuinely intoxicating. While the tracks on this EP are a little softer that I would have liked, I could help but replay these tracks and their haunted vocals. The most promising female vocalist of this batch.
Smile Empty Soul / Smile Empty Soul
More emotion-filled yelling crap. Not really worth mentioning beyond that. Forgettable; don't expect to find this in a time capsle to be placed on these next space probe as an example of human musical achievement.
Kill Bill v.1 Soundtrack
You gotta love a Quentin Tarantino soundtrack, with its knack for tracks that really stick in your mind and are just obsure enough to make you go "yeah, I've heard that before, but where? This one is fun, and all the more so if you liked the movie.
Lucero / That Much Further West
You know, having these guys in studio really opened my eyes to their music. Their rock-a-billy sensibiliy and punk influences really make them a unique act, and it really saddens me that I missed a chance to see their live show. There's something brewing here, and I'm impressed with what I've heard.
Delerium / Chimera
Yikes, these guys are good. Too smooth and very trancy, with a super-dreamy feeling. This builds on their last release, Karma, and it caters a little more to the popular music-mind in the crowd, but it's still unique enough to really get stuck in my head. Just good stuff.
Sarah McLachlin / Afterglow
I've been waiting for something (anything) new from Sarah for quite a while, and while her new effort will suffice, I do have to admit that I am a little disappointed. But only just a little. I'm willing to forgive simply because this album is so damn good anyhow. It's one of those that you didn't even realize finished once the last track plays.
A Perfect Circle / Thirteenth Step
Taking Maynard in a new direction is always a good thing, and while the new A Perfect Circle album might disappoint fans of their first album, I have to admit that really like the prog-rock tanget that the band has taken in the sophomore effort. At times, I swore that I heard Porcupine Tree influences (too cool, IMHO), and that's a good thing. Give it a shot.
Lewis Black / Rules of Enragement
Yeah, it's not musical, but The Daily Show's Lewis Black is a lyrical comedian. His new CD is damn funny, with scathing indicments of our favorites Ken Lay, Martha Stewart, thingy Cheney, and friends.
Powderfinger / Vulture Street
This album has yet to grow on me (give it a little, though), but it's yet another strong release from our Aussie Spotlight Artists. A little more rocky than their previous Odessey #5, this one hits high, hits low, then moves on. Give it two months and there'll be a copy in my car.
John Mayer / Heavier Things
Yes, there are heavier things in life - life the rock John Mayer tied to his foot before jumping in a lake after recording this weak CD. For a person hailed as a musical genius, I do have to say that I'm very disappointed in this album, and that it just doesn't live up to what everyone thinks he's capable of.
The protege/lovechild of Fiona Apple and Norah Jones, Rachael has that soft, smoldering voice that can be genuinely intoxicating. While the tracks on this EP are a little softer that I would have liked, I could help but replay these tracks and their haunted vocals. The most promising female vocalist of this batch.
Smile Empty Soul / Smile Empty Soul
More emotion-filled yelling crap. Not really worth mentioning beyond that. Forgettable; don't expect to find this in a time capsle to be placed on these next space probe as an example of human musical achievement.
Kill Bill v.1 Soundtrack
You gotta love a Quentin Tarantino soundtrack, with its knack for tracks that really stick in your mind and are just obsure enough to make you go "yeah, I've heard that before, but where? This one is fun, and all the more so if you liked the movie.
Lucero / That Much Further West
You know, having these guys in studio really opened my eyes to their music. Their rock-a-billy sensibiliy and punk influences really make them a unique act, and it really saddens me that I missed a chance to see their live show. There's something brewing here, and I'm impressed with what I've heard.
Delerium / Chimera
Yikes, these guys are good. Too smooth and very trancy, with a super-dreamy feeling. This builds on their last release, Karma, and it caters a little more to the popular music-mind in the crowd, but it's still unique enough to really get stuck in my head. Just good stuff.
Sarah McLachlin / Afterglow
I've been waiting for something (anything) new from Sarah for quite a while, and while her new effort will suffice, I do have to admit that I am a little disappointed. But only just a little. I'm willing to forgive simply because this album is so damn good anyhow. It's one of those that you didn't even realize finished once the last track plays.
A Perfect Circle / Thirteenth Step
Taking Maynard in a new direction is always a good thing, and while the new A Perfect Circle album might disappoint fans of their first album, I have to admit that really like the prog-rock tanget that the band has taken in the sophomore effort. At times, I swore that I heard Porcupine Tree influences (too cool, IMHO), and that's a good thing. Give it a shot.
Lewis Black / Rules of Enragement
Yeah, it's not musical, but The Daily Show's Lewis Black is a lyrical comedian. His new CD is damn funny, with scathing indicments of our favorites Ken Lay, Martha Stewart, thingy Cheney, and friends.
Powderfinger / Vulture Street
This album has yet to grow on me (give it a little, though), but it's yet another strong release from our Aussie Spotlight Artists. A little more rocky than their previous Odessey #5, this one hits high, hits low, then moves on. Give it two months and there'll be a copy in my car.
John Mayer / Heavier Things
Yes, there are heavier things in life - life the rock John Mayer tied to his foot before jumping in a lake after recording this weak CD. For a person hailed as a musical genius, I do have to say that I'm very disappointed in this album, and that it just doesn't live up to what everyone thinks he's capable of.