Music Reviews
Goodness, I haven't done one of these posts since 4/1/07.
CDs reviewed under cut--
Tori Amos: American Doll Posse
Bjork: Volta
Michael Buble: Call Me Irresponsible
Paula Cole: Courage
Decemberists: Her Majesty the Decemberists
Tina Dico: Far and In the Red
Dicte: This Is Cool
Feist: The Reminder
Hem: Home Again, Home Again and Funnel Cloud
Jenny Dalton: Fleur de Lily
Marie Frank: Ancient Pleasures
Mika: Life in Cartoon Motion
My Brightest Diamond: Bring Me The Workhorse
Erin McKeown: Distillation
Chris Pureka: Dryland
That Dog.: Retreat from the Sun
Toshi Reagon: Toshi
Savage Rose: Black Angel
Six Feet Under soundtracks
Casey Stratton: The Crossing
Rosey: The Old Fashioned Way
Rosie Thomas: These Friends of Mine
Two Loons for Tea: Looking for Landmarks and Self-Titled
Amy Winehouse: Back to Black
15. Tori Amos: American Doll Posse--I've written a more in-depth review here, but considering I've probably only listened to this 10 times since I first got this... well, I think Tori's just done better. Maybe it's just me, but it seems that she's just stopped taking musical risks. It doesn't mean that this isn't a bad album; I'm just not feeling it anymore. Rating: 3
16. Bjork: Volta--Bjork never ceases to amaze me. She's always taking musical risks, but still remains true to her art form and style without totally alienating any fans. When I had heard that she was getting the ever-present producer Timbaland involved with this album, I was worried. I kept thinking, "Sell out?!" But truth be told, with any other producer she works with, she takes what's their style and makes it her own. Truly, this album is, so far, is my favorite of 2007. Rating: 5
17. Michael Buble: Call Me Irresponsible--What can I say about this? Every cover that Buble does, I almost, inevitably end up loving more than the original. You also have to give mad props to his band because they really complement him well. It's not as good as Home, but it's still pretty good. Rating: 4
18. Paula Cole: Courage--I'm so glad to have a new album by Cole. She's totally underappreciated because the rest of her albums were shadowed by "Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?" and "I Don't Wanna Wait." This new one dips into genres that weren't really prevalent on her albums: alt country, jazz, and light reggae/bossa nova. Still the best songs are the confessionals: "Comin' Down," "14," and "El Greco." Rating: 4
19. Decemberists: Her Majesty the Decemberists--One thing I really like about this band is that they have a cohesive and mature sound to each of their albums. This one is no different than the others. I love it. Stand out songs are "Red Right Ankle" and "The Bachelor and the Bride." Rating: 4
20. Tina Dico: Far and In the Red--There's something familiar with Tina Dico's voice, but I don't think I've ever heard her on the radio. She has a strong voice and pop sound, and my fave songs from these albums are "Haunted" and "Losing," respectively. Rating: 4
21. Dicte: This Is Cool--A female Danish artist, Dicte's album here is all about getting it on... well, not all of it. It's not bad, but I don't know. It's too poppy for me. Rating: 3
22. Feist: The Reminder--Is anyone else in love with her too? From "My Moon My Man" to "1, 2, 3, 4," this album is a great and smart pop album. Plus, Feist is equally amazing live. Rating: 5
23. Hem: Home Again, Home Again and Funnel Cloud--Hem is the best alt-country-folk band that you're not listening to right now. Sally Ellyson's vocals and these albums are so pleasant to listen to. Rating: 4
24. Jenny Dalton: Fleur de Lily--Tori Amos-esque, especially around Under the Pink time. "Lily and the Stranger" and "Cadence" are my fave songs on the album. Rating: 3
25. Marie Frank: Ancient Pleasures--Of all the Danish artists I've received from ellyodd, Marie Frank's my favorite. This a good folk-pop album, and the lyrics and vocals are relatable. Rating: 4
26. Mika: Life in Cartoon Motion--I don't like Elton John or Queen very much, but Mika seems to be heavily influenced by these other British acts to become his own fun Brit pop diva! (I mean that in the best way.) Every song on here is glittery and disco-y gold! Rating: 5
27. My Brightest Diamond: Bring Me The Workhorse--I saw them/her open up for The Decemberists, and they were really good. Simple sound, but it's very atmospheric and alive. And, for some reason, it's a good album to have sex to. *ahem* Rating: 4
28. Erin McKeown: Distillation--I've had this on my Amazon wishlist for so long; but when I found it on emusic, I just bought it right then and there. Even though this album is a few years old, it's still a pretty damn good alt-country album. Rating: 4
29. Chris Pureka: Dryland--Patty Griffin-esque. Good stuff. I sometimes skip her when she pops up, but other times I'll let her go and be glad. Rating: 3
30. That Dog.: Retreat from the Sun--Very 90's sound. Strong female vocals, even though I've only listened to this once. Rating: 3
31. Toshi Reagon: Toshi--If you've ever seen Toshi live, this is the album that features the "I Hate / I Love" that she encourages audience participation. If you're looking for a soulful folk artist, Toshi is it. This album is one that I've also been wanting a long time and just got it from emusic. Love it. Rating: 5
32. Savage Rose: Black Angel--She sounds like Joan Baez meets Macy Gray, in a good way. And, honestly, Annisette is Denmark's Joan Baez, or so I'm told. I like it, but it's a bit overwhelming vocally. Rating: 3
33. Six Feet Under soundtracks--Excellent music for an excellent TV series. 'nuff said. Rating: 5
34. Casey Stratton: The Crossing--Casey is awesome with picking the perfect song opener. "Rising Sun" is one of my favorite songs on the album. Generally speaking, I feel this album isn't as sonically cohesive as his other ones. However, the songs are still pretty amazing and political and emotional. Rating: 4
35. Rosey: The Old Fashioned Way--I love this because she's soulful and jazzy and poppy all in one. Rating: 4
36. Rosie Thomas: These Friends of Mine--I couldn't figure out for the longest time why her voice sounded familiar. Then, good ole Wiki told me she used to sing for Velour100, which I loved. Her vocals are so soothing and this album further proves that. Rating: 4
37. Two Loons for Tea: Looking for Landmarks and Self-Titled--Dreamy and ambient pop. I featured them for July 2007's Indie Artist of the Month. Both albums are really good and consistent. Rating: 4
38. Amy Winehouse: Back to Black--I hate to admit that this album is really good, and I like it. But I've seen live footage of her doing these songs and well, you sitting there perusing your f'list shows more life than she does. She's so vacant on stage that it makes me wish she'd really go to rehab. Oh snap. So this rating is going from a 4 to a 3.
My apologies for length, but go you if you read all of this.
CDs reviewed under cut--
Tori Amos: American Doll Posse
Bjork: Volta
Michael Buble: Call Me Irresponsible
Paula Cole: Courage
Decemberists: Her Majesty the Decemberists
Tina Dico: Far and In the Red
Dicte: This Is Cool
Feist: The Reminder
Hem: Home Again, Home Again and Funnel Cloud
Jenny Dalton: Fleur de Lily
Marie Frank: Ancient Pleasures
Mika: Life in Cartoon Motion
My Brightest Diamond: Bring Me The Workhorse
Erin McKeown: Distillation
Chris Pureka: Dryland
That Dog.: Retreat from the Sun
Toshi Reagon: Toshi
Savage Rose: Black Angel
Six Feet Under soundtracks
Casey Stratton: The Crossing
Rosey: The Old Fashioned Way
Rosie Thomas: These Friends of Mine
Two Loons for Tea: Looking for Landmarks and Self-Titled
Amy Winehouse: Back to Black
15. Tori Amos: American Doll Posse--I've written a more in-depth review here, but considering I've probably only listened to this 10 times since I first got this... well, I think Tori's just done better. Maybe it's just me, but it seems that she's just stopped taking musical risks. It doesn't mean that this isn't a bad album; I'm just not feeling it anymore. Rating: 3
16. Bjork: Volta--Bjork never ceases to amaze me. She's always taking musical risks, but still remains true to her art form and style without totally alienating any fans. When I had heard that she was getting the ever-present producer Timbaland involved with this album, I was worried. I kept thinking, "Sell out?!" But truth be told, with any other producer she works with, she takes what's their style and makes it her own. Truly, this album is, so far, is my favorite of 2007. Rating: 5
17. Michael Buble: Call Me Irresponsible--What can I say about this? Every cover that Buble does, I almost, inevitably end up loving more than the original. You also have to give mad props to his band because they really complement him well. It's not as good as Home, but it's still pretty good. Rating: 4
18. Paula Cole: Courage--I'm so glad to have a new album by Cole. She's totally underappreciated because the rest of her albums were shadowed by "Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?" and "I Don't Wanna Wait." This new one dips into genres that weren't really prevalent on her albums: alt country, jazz, and light reggae/bossa nova. Still the best songs are the confessionals: "Comin' Down," "14," and "El Greco." Rating: 4
19. Decemberists: Her Majesty the Decemberists--One thing I really like about this band is that they have a cohesive and mature sound to each of their albums. This one is no different than the others. I love it. Stand out songs are "Red Right Ankle" and "The Bachelor and the Bride." Rating: 4
20. Tina Dico: Far and In the Red--There's something familiar with Tina Dico's voice, but I don't think I've ever heard her on the radio. She has a strong voice and pop sound, and my fave songs from these albums are "Haunted" and "Losing," respectively. Rating: 4
21. Dicte: This Is Cool--A female Danish artist, Dicte's album here is all about getting it on... well, not all of it. It's not bad, but I don't know. It's too poppy for me. Rating: 3
22. Feist: The Reminder--Is anyone else in love with her too? From "My Moon My Man" to "1, 2, 3, 4," this album is a great and smart pop album. Plus, Feist is equally amazing live. Rating: 5
23. Hem: Home Again, Home Again and Funnel Cloud--Hem is the best alt-country-folk band that you're not listening to right now. Sally Ellyson's vocals and these albums are so pleasant to listen to. Rating: 4
24. Jenny Dalton: Fleur de Lily--Tori Amos-esque, especially around Under the Pink time. "Lily and the Stranger" and "Cadence" are my fave songs on the album. Rating: 3
25. Marie Frank: Ancient Pleasures--Of all the Danish artists I've received from ellyodd, Marie Frank's my favorite. This a good folk-pop album, and the lyrics and vocals are relatable. Rating: 4
26. Mika: Life in Cartoon Motion--I don't like Elton John or Queen very much, but Mika seems to be heavily influenced by these other British acts to become his own fun Brit pop diva! (I mean that in the best way.) Every song on here is glittery and disco-y gold! Rating: 5
27. My Brightest Diamond: Bring Me The Workhorse--I saw them/her open up for The Decemberists, and they were really good. Simple sound, but it's very atmospheric and alive. And, for some reason, it's a good album to have sex to. *ahem* Rating: 4
28. Erin McKeown: Distillation--I've had this on my Amazon wishlist for so long; but when I found it on emusic, I just bought it right then and there. Even though this album is a few years old, it's still a pretty damn good alt-country album. Rating: 4
29. Chris Pureka: Dryland--Patty Griffin-esque. Good stuff. I sometimes skip her when she pops up, but other times I'll let her go and be glad. Rating: 3
30. That Dog.: Retreat from the Sun--Very 90's sound. Strong female vocals, even though I've only listened to this once. Rating: 3
31. Toshi Reagon: Toshi--If you've ever seen Toshi live, this is the album that features the "I Hate / I Love" that she encourages audience participation. If you're looking for a soulful folk artist, Toshi is it. This album is one that I've also been wanting a long time and just got it from emusic. Love it. Rating: 5
32. Savage Rose: Black Angel--She sounds like Joan Baez meets Macy Gray, in a good way. And, honestly, Annisette is Denmark's Joan Baez, or so I'm told. I like it, but it's a bit overwhelming vocally. Rating: 3
33. Six Feet Under soundtracks--Excellent music for an excellent TV series. 'nuff said. Rating: 5
34. Casey Stratton: The Crossing--Casey is awesome with picking the perfect song opener. "Rising Sun" is one of my favorite songs on the album. Generally speaking, I feel this album isn't as sonically cohesive as his other ones. However, the songs are still pretty amazing and political and emotional. Rating: 4
35. Rosey: The Old Fashioned Way--I love this because she's soulful and jazzy and poppy all in one. Rating: 4
36. Rosie Thomas: These Friends of Mine--I couldn't figure out for the longest time why her voice sounded familiar. Then, good ole Wiki told me she used to sing for Velour100, which I loved. Her vocals are so soothing and this album further proves that. Rating: 4
37. Two Loons for Tea: Looking for Landmarks and Self-Titled--Dreamy and ambient pop. I featured them for July 2007's Indie Artist of the Month. Both albums are really good and consistent. Rating: 4
38. Amy Winehouse: Back to Black--I hate to admit that this album is really good, and I like it. But I've seen live footage of her doing these songs and well, you sitting there perusing your f'list shows more life than she does. She's so vacant on stage that it makes me wish she'd really go to rehab. Oh snap. So this rating is going from a 4 to a 3.
My apologies for length, but go you if you read all of this.