Category Archives: Album Review

Justin Levinson & The Valcours, “This Side of Me, This Side of You”

Posted on by
1

Justin Levinson & The Valcours

This Side of Me, This Side of You

Official Website

Release Date : January 1st, 2012

Facebook

Amazon

iTunes

With smart lyrics, gripping melodies, and a super tight band Justin Levinson and The Valcours album, This side of me, This side of you, is a refreshing addition to any music collection. Levinson, a handsome native Vermonter with a mop-full of hair and a book of songs, is more Ben Folds than Josh Groban. And as Martha Stewart often says, “It’s a good thing.” This album hits more than it misses and is the perfect soundtrack to what will be one wet, hot, climate-change-y summer.

Songs like “Bar Scene” and “I’ll Be OK” are so lyrically tight that they could easily be in an off-Broadway musical. In “Bar Scene” Levinson sings:

Now I brought you down to my level you should all just go home

someone call me a cab, let me be on my own

I’m in the mood to start a fight

With that guy at the bar laughing at me he thinks that my pants are too tight

go on hit me with your best swing…

“I’ll Be OK” is an exhilarating Ben Folds-esque musical romper room which immediately caught my attention and has been in heavy rotation ever since.

 

“I Was so Wrong” is another highlight off this record. This waltzy duet between Justin and fellow Berklee alum Liz Longley is as romantic as it is somber and never dips into that saccharine pit of hell that swallows so many modern day love songs. Just thinking of that Dashboard Confessional song “You Have Stolen my Heart” makes me want to drown myself in my own vomit. So, yes this song is the opposite of that. In fact, this track embodies the “feel good heartbreak” vibe of the album. And there is a harmonica.

“Say What You’re Gonna Say” and “If You’re Happier” are also great additions to the American playbook. The tight band is on full display on “If You’re Happier.” The bass, keys, guitars and drums all just seem to fit perfectly together. “Say What You’re Gonna Say” is proof that more songs need horn sections.

Every beautiful piece of fruit has at least one bruise…and I think this bruise’s name is “Love You Goodbye.” The space-beepy drum machine and emo-y vocals feel a tad out of place on this album. It is not a terrible song by any means-but when compared to tracks like “Bar Scene” and “I Was so Wrong” it feels out of place. Just as the production is a little different so are the lyrics. Songs like “I Was so Wrong” is overflowing with very specific details; a story is being told complete with characters and a setting. You can almost see the gross-y, gap-y space between the wooden planks of the bar floor and hear the swinging of bathroom doors. “Love You Goodbye” is much more open and vague. Sure, the listener can imagine themselves in the song and we will all identify with the feelings of heartbreak and loss the song evokes, however I found it lacking the charm which oozed from other tracks.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/29659724″ iframe=”true” /]

In closing, This Side of Me, This Side of You by Justin Levinson and the Valcours is one hell of an album. Levinson has already received recognition and accolades; and deservingly so. If you like feel good piano pop that focuses on lyrical storytelling you should get this album. Oh, and Danielle wants to meet this floppy-haired heart throb on Skype. I’ll bring the glitter.

 

Ani DiFranco, “¿Which Side Are You On?”

Posted on by
Reply


Ani DiFranco

¿Which Side Are You On?

Official Website

January 17, 2011

Righteous Babe Records

Facebook

Amazon

iTunes

 

She said it herself: “After having written hundreds of songs over decades, I think, ‘Now what? How far can I go with this? Can you sing the word ‘abortion,’ can you sing the word ‘patriarchy’ – what can you sing and get away with? I guess I’ve been pushing my own boundaries of politics and art. Seeing what people have the ears to listen to. How big is my mouth? What can I get out of it successfully?”

Photo By Patti Perret

¿Which Side Are You On? tests these boundaries, but it’s nothing that listeners aren’t willing to ride along with, aren’t willing to push and pull at just as they have for the last twenty years as the folksy fingerpicker has wrestled with the sweet synthesis of artful expression and political conviction. Coming off a three year hiatus and an influential move to New Orleans, DiFranco offers a fresh yet familiar collection featuring 11 new songs and one hot-blooded remake of Pete Seeger’s remake of Florence Reese’s protest anthem “Which Side Are You On?”

Personally, I prefer albums that will allow me to listen from beginning to end – not necessarily a concept album, but one that builds, that leads me, that carries me through a musical space and creates a new experience, maybe even with every listen. Knowing that about me, let me say: this one moves me. ¿Which Side Are You On? is consistently smooth and melodic, and the almost hypnotic rhythm of “Life Boat” and “Unworry” is only somewhat interrupted by the power of the title song before things settle back down, before the somber reflection in “Life Boat” resumes in “Albacore.” Though it’s the tattoo needle that metaphorically says I Do, this otherwise classic love song is easy to love. The lyrics are neither demanding nor profound but they are real. She’s no “blushing girl,” but then again, neither am I. We can both tap our feet just the same and feel the same comfort in knowing that “When I am next to you, I am more me.”

Photo By Shervin Lainez

“J” picks up the pace a bit and even digs a little at President Obama (“I mean dude could be FDR right now and instead he’s just shifting his weight.”) and “If yr Not” goes electric to proclaim ultimately (repeatedly) “If you’re not getting happier as you’re getting older / then you’re fucking up,” before the album slows back down with the very poignant “Hearse” and “Mariachi.” I could listen to these two songs on an endless Ani loop and never fall out of love—with anything—but maybe that’s just me. Add the vulnerable “Zoo” to the loop and bring me back to reality as the singer admits her own imperfections (“I walk past my own self-loathing like I walk past animals in the zoo /try not to really see them in prison they didn’t choose”). After a few ups and downs we are emotionally and melodically prepared for the big finish with “Promiscuity,” which gives a serious sound to a lighthearted metaphor, and “Amendment,” an impassioned rally cry for a woman’s right to choose.

As with all good albums, there’s more to ¿What Side Are You On? than politics, than emotion, than witty rhymes, than good ol’ fingerpickin’. There’s all of that and then some as New Orleans brass, the Neville Brothers, and Pete Seeger each weigh in to give the album a fullness, rounding out the authentic sound we’ve come to expect from such a raw, gritty, tell-it-like-it-is lyricist.  Neither Ani DiFranco nor ¿What Side Are You On? dares to disappoint.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/30621191″]

John Gold, “A Flower in your Head”

Posted on by
Reply

John Gold

A Flower In Your Head

Official Website

Release Date : June 14, 2011

Vagrant Records

Facebook

Amazon

iTunes

 

With smart lyrics, quirky production, and west coast flair, A Flower in your Head is primed to be the soundtrack to your summer.

A Flower in your Head is Gold’s third release (preceded by These are Color Days (2002) and The Eastside Shake (2004). His music has also appeared in Weeds and the independent film Mean Creek. Gold’s vocal stylings are reminiscent of Rufus Wainwright and Aimee Mann, so if you are a fan of either artists, chances are you will soon be a fan of Gold.

The album kicks off with “Skyscraper.” Led by charming keys and tambourines he sings, “you’re a heart so breakable and I am see thru. Thick as glass.”

“Thursday” is an interesting beast. It begins with keys, beats, and space bleeps. The Hermetic mantra “As Above, So below” is repeated more than once-  At least…I believe it is Hermatic…I may be wrong…perhaps this is a Tom Tom Club reference? I mean…who doesn’t love those guys.  There is some very interesting imagery floating in this song- (vultures turning to dove, the famed looking glass, etc.) and Gold manages to herd these images together without any hint of pretension. Midway through the song is a glorious tempo change that made the cliché-d hairs on the back of my neck come to attention. This track quickly became a favorite and I bet it would be great live.

“Baby it’s your Life” is another standout track. Lyrically it reads like a lighthearted entry on fml. It’s happy-go-lucky chorus is a reminder to not take yourself so seriously. The bridge “don’t freak out, don’t freak out” is magic.

The album closer “The Loop!” has within it a beautiful summation of the album: “The sound was so beautiful. Oh the endless possibilities. The sophisticated melodies…”All in all this is a most successful album. Unlike other acts making the rounds Gold seems like an old friend you can’t wait to roll into town. It is evident that Gold spent a lot of time and heart on this album, and I have a feeling he will continue to produce great albums for years to come.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/849689″ height=”200”]

City and Colour, “Little Hell”

Posted on by
Reply

City and Colour

Little Hell

Official Website

Release Date : June 7, 2011

Vagrant Records

Facebook

Available via iTunes

and Amazon

 

Armed with a beautiful voice, electric backing band, and eleven solid songs, City and Colour‘s (AKA Dallas Green’s) long awaited third album, Little Hell, now available for your consumption.


If Little Hell chronicles the joy, confusion, and hopelessness that follows us, the album’s first track, “We Found Each Other in the Dark,” is the hope and promises which begin new love. The song, romantic and waltzy, is a great opener.  “The Grand Optimist” blends thoughtful lyrics with a staccato strum. “Little Hell” continues the folk confessional and leads into lead single “Fragile Bird,” which is pure blues-rock. “Northern Wind,” with it’s sparse strings and light production is reminiscent of the sound for which Dallas Green is known and loved.  With similar themes and narrative, “O’ Sister” may be a sister song to “Fragile Bird.” “Hope For Now” is a stunning closer. ” Dallas Green sings, “How can I instill such hope, but be left with none of my own? What if could sing just one song and if might save somebody’s life.”

Little Hell is complex, heartfelt, and heavy. It is full of vivid imagery and interesting arrangements. While possibly too heavy for an everyday listen, this album is the perfect companion for those dark times.

The Elected, “Bury Me in My Rings”

Posted on by
Reply

The Elected

Bury Me in My Rings

Official Website

Release Date : May 17, 2011

Vagrant Records

Facebook

Available via iTunes

and Amazon

 

After taking a five-year break from music, Blake Sennett, the dude from Rilo Kiley and the boy you loved to hate on that show from our formative years, Boy Meets World, Joseph “Joey the Rat” Epstein (and he played Ronnie Pinsky on Salute Your Shorts), is back with a new album from his solo project, The Elected.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bury Me in My Rings, the third full-length release by The Elected, is a fun jaunt through mid-century West Coast rock. The pop album is layered with soulful harmonies, like on the late-‘70s-era Rolling Stones inspired “Babyface,” and relaxing trips to island escapes, with “Trip Round the World” that brings back the unique sound of the ukulele. Then there’s the David Bowie-esque “Go For The Throat,” which could totally become a personal anthem (and it’s already on repeat).

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/12335082″]

With simple drums, a grooving bass, and catchy lyrics, Bury Me in My Rings is an uncomplicated, yet refined album that just makes you smile and bop your head. It’s a feel good listen for the summer—a great album for lounging by the pool, driving along the coast, or just chilling.

A side note: four out of the 12 songs are titled after their respective first lines; at least you’ll always know what song you are listening while shuffling through tracks on your iPod.

 

Jim Ivins, “Late Night Drive”

Posted on by
Reply

Jim Ivins

Late Night Drive

Official Website

Release Date : March 22, 2011

Available via iTunes and Amazon.com

 

 

 

 

In a world saturated with bubblegum poptarts, young artists like Jim Ivins is a welcome breath of fresh air. Ivin’s five-track EP, Late Night Drive, is surprising both lyrically and sonically to ears familiar with his other act, The Jim Ivin’s Band. Sonically, he is stripped down to the essentials so that his words take point.

Ivin’s voice is reminiscent of Ben Folds in the tune of Chris Carrabba, and it’s A-plus on this EP. Subjects covered through song include introspection and existentialism (which all twenty-somethings go through) to the very personal experience of losing a parent. Although a general feeling of malaise hangs around this album it does not weigh it down. Like the title suggests, it is reminiscent of taking a late night drive to clear one’s head.

Preview the track “Twilight” below and tune in to next Tuesday’s podcast for the audio review.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/12384745″]

“Twilight”

Bryan Master, “For People Like Us”

Posted on by
Reply

Bryan Master

For People Like Us

Bonavox Records

Release Date : March 15, 2011

Available on iTunes

Official Website

Similar Acts : Foo Fighters, Pete Yorn

This morning whilst stirring my sugar blasted coffee I thought to myself, 2011 so far has been a pretty good year for indie music. This trend continues with L.A. (by way of New York) based singer-songwriter Bryan Master, whose third release, For People Like Us, will hit iTunes and select retailers March 15th.

If I were limited to just one adjective to describe this album I would choose “solid.” Singles “Moments Like This” and “Let Me Come In” (featuring indie queen Liz Phair) are sleek and radio/film friendly. Lyrically, “Moments Like This” is poignant with subtle flakes of dark comedy sprinkled in.  Other stand-out tracks include “Karmacide” (an earlier version of this song is available on the album Incommunicado), “Born Out Of The Breakdown,” and “Lost Angeles.” The song “Paddle Out” is also becoming a fast favorite.

Photo by Adam Arnold

Sonically speaking,  the album includes what you would expect from Alternative Rock; lots of guitar and percussion, a piano ballad, and some well placed strings. Master’s voice is both strong and smooth and takes the spotlight on songs “A Pocket Full of Dreams” and “Let Me Come In.”

Master is known for putting on some great live shows, and a quick perusal of his Facebook page will illuminate some Texas connections (he’s shared the stage with both David Garza and Rhett Miller of the Old 97’s). Master’s will be playing a few dates in California in celebration of the album’s release, and hopefully a more lengthy tour will be announced shortly (and if it is, let’s hope there is a stop in Dallas.)

Review: Ryan Adams & the Cardinals, III/IV

Posted on by
Reply

 

III/IV, the latest offering from the ever-prolific Ryan Adams and his phenomenal band The Cardinals, was actually released back in December only in mp3 or vinyl formats, and made available as a double-CD a short time later. I’ve just recently gotten around to listening to it, which is unusual for me, a pretty devoted fan, but I’ve been a little busy these days. As for whether I regret this slight delay, well… kinda.

Adams’ penchant for paying musical homage to his influences is evident here as always. I tend to prefer when his records hearken to the Grateful Dead (Cold Roses) or Hank Williams, Sr. (Jacksonville City Nights), and I most certainly did not get my way here. Much like earlier his solo records Rock and Roll and Demolition, III/IV doesn’t reach quite as far back, instead echoing Tears for Fears and even The Knack in the musical equivalent of the ’80s skinny jeans and high-tops at Urban Outfitters. The vast majority of the songs on III, and more than half on IV, blend together in a reverb-y tribute to music that was popular about six years before I got into popular music. (Which makes sense, considering Ryan Adams is six years my senior.)

Within the minority, though, a few gems appear: “Typecast” (IV) the made-for-college-radio duet with Norah Jones, and “Ultraviolet Light” (III), which opens with a riff straight out of Led Zeppelin’s similarly-titled album, IV, and doesn’t disappoint. And as always, Ryan Adams shines brightest when back in touch with the alt-country roots that put him on the map as the frontman for Whiskeytown. “The Crystal Skull” (III) and “Death and Rats” (IV) showcase that side of him enough to appease those of us who could do without the Ramones-influenced majority of both records.

Given my obvious bias in favor of Adams’ alt-country work, and general sense of underwhelm toward all things early-’80s, it may not be fair for me to pronounce III/IV as mostly “blah.” After all, it’s a Ryan Adams album, so the default setting is Not That Bad. However, I’m concerned that a perfect storm of culture-wide ’80s nostalgia, Adams’ tendency to produce new music about ten times faster than the average rocker, and his bizarrely mismatched marriage to pop waffle Mandy Moore, all contributed to this less-than-stellar release. Again, though: Ryan Adams record = always better than average. III/IV, though: just barely.

Grade on the Ryan Adams Scale: C+
Grade on the Rest of Music Curve: B+

Alexander, “Alexander”

Posted on by
Reply

Alexander

Alexander

Vagrant Records

Release Date : March 1, 2011

Available at Amazon and iTunes

I am so glad it is 70 degrees in Dallas,  because Alex Ebert’s debut solo album, Alexander, is perfect for sunny, breezy weather. Most of you probably know Ebert’s work as lead singer/songwriter/messiah of the incredibly popular Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. If you are a fan of those guys, chances are you will love this album.

photo courtesy of Vagrant Records

Continue reading →