Overdue reviews
I've had these albums a while and let them sink in, so I figure it's time to finally chime in with some thoughts about each of them. And since I'm doing so many, I won't be quite so verbose as usual.
AC Newman - The Slow Wonder (2004)
This album grew on me. The other frontman (frontperson?) for The New Pornographers had a decent solo effort, but I didn't really think it was anything special. Upon a second listen, I was wrong. This isn't a mind-blowing effort, but it is catchy, fun listen with some depth; the precise reason I listen to TNP in the first place.
Score: ****
Kate Rusby - The Girl Who Couldn't Fly (2005)
This is one of my favorite female artists. Her Celtic wit and wisdom always sound pround even when saying the simplest things. Though this isn't as strong as some of her previous efforts, it is a noble effort to try something new. Rusby usually sticks with narratives, and her stories are very interesting. This one was dictated mostly in the first-person, and the album suffers for it. Still, the songs are very friendly to the ears and it makes good background noise, and an interesting (even if not especially stellar) listen to a fan such as myself.
Score: ***
Joseph Arthur - Redemption's Son (2002)
From name to songs, this blurs the line between pop and worship. The songs are mostly innocuous and fun to listen to, but not much else. Arthur excels at creating imagery, but unfortunately the album is very long and unbalanced. Its pop sensibilities begin to experiment, with bad results. It drags on for far too long, and I would prefer it be condensed to 10 or 12 strong tracks rather than a parade of mixed results.
Score: ***
The O.C. Mix 5 (2005)
The O.C. soundtracks are known for being trustworthy mixes of west-coast indie pop. This one is no different. It's a good eclectic mix, but some tracks are much stronger than others, making it best to pick and choose which ones you really love and leave the others by the wayside. The tracks are too disjointed to really work one after another, particularly when it is almost every other song that alternates between good and mediocre. Pick the songs you like, and leave the others alone. Ideally The O.C. Mix 6, if it exists, will be more consistent.
Score: ***
AC Newman - The Slow Wonder (2004)
This album grew on me. The other frontman (frontperson?) for The New Pornographers had a decent solo effort, but I didn't really think it was anything special. Upon a second listen, I was wrong. This isn't a mind-blowing effort, but it is catchy, fun listen with some depth; the precise reason I listen to TNP in the first place.
Score: ****
Kate Rusby - The Girl Who Couldn't Fly (2005)
This is one of my favorite female artists. Her Celtic wit and wisdom always sound pround even when saying the simplest things. Though this isn't as strong as some of her previous efforts, it is a noble effort to try something new. Rusby usually sticks with narratives, and her stories are very interesting. This one was dictated mostly in the first-person, and the album suffers for it. Still, the songs are very friendly to the ears and it makes good background noise, and an interesting (even if not especially stellar) listen to a fan such as myself.
Score: ***
Joseph Arthur - Redemption's Son (2002)
From name to songs, this blurs the line between pop and worship. The songs are mostly innocuous and fun to listen to, but not much else. Arthur excels at creating imagery, but unfortunately the album is very long and unbalanced. Its pop sensibilities begin to experiment, with bad results. It drags on for far too long, and I would prefer it be condensed to 10 or 12 strong tracks rather than a parade of mixed results.
Score: ***
The O.C. Mix 5 (2005)
The O.C. soundtracks are known for being trustworthy mixes of west-coast indie pop. This one is no different. It's a good eclectic mix, but some tracks are much stronger than others, making it best to pick and choose which ones you really love and leave the others by the wayside. The tracks are too disjointed to really work one after another, particularly when it is almost every other song that alternates between good and mediocre. Pick the songs you like, and leave the others alone. Ideally The O.C. Mix 6, if it exists, will be more consistent.
Score: ***