Archive for June, 2006

• Band / Artist : Beight
• Genre : Pop / Rock
• Sample Track Download : File in Rhythm
• Buy CD : – CD Baby
• Buy Digital Download :
• Rating : 8.5 out of 10

With great melodies and at times, laddish vocals, it’s hard not to enjoy this offering from Beight, headed by Minneapolis based Brad Senne. In fact there’s a very Brit pop sound, similar to the UK bands Dodgy and the Boo Radleys from the 1990’s, which I hasten to add is a big compliment, as these were great bands, at a great time in British pop.

I love an album that opens strongly and just gets stronger, as is the case here with the opening track “File in Rhythm”, with that great buried rift that just drives the song relentlessly. I have to admit though the first 15 seconds or so had me worried. The next track “Parallels” is more of the same and that britpop sound just gets stronger and stronger, which is surprising, seeing as Brad is from the USA and not UK. The next track “Fill me Up” is another in the long line of great tracks and I’m only 3 tracks in.

It’s albums like this that make me look bad as I’m either forced to give a blow by blow on each track or just brown nose and say what a wonderful album this is. So here I am brown nosing away, but don’t take my word for it, judge for yourself.

Conclusion : Another album to define the sound of the 2000’s and maybe beyond. This is one of those bands that just gives you that excited rush when you find them and that impatience to have a new album, when the one you’ve only just got, stills has that oh so new smell.

Just a quick note to say the coming of age Indie Launchpad Podcast #21 was just released. Direct Link here.

• Band / Artist : Todd Martin
• Genre : Rock
• Sample Track Download : Punchline
• Buy CD : Artist Store
• Buy Digital Download : N/A
• Rating : 8 out of 10

Good music is timeless. The art of fusing music and lyrics together, to end up with something people will enjoy, is no mean feat and something I’ve always wished I could do. Needless to say Todd Martin has managed that and then some. This album has a really nice groove to it. Laid back enough to relax to, but upbeat enough so as not to send you to sleep. There’s a lot here that reminds me of Hootie and the Blowfish (Where are they now?) with a vocal style more akin to Tom Robinson.

The album starts nicely with the very Hootieesque “Save Myself”. Upbeat, and catchy, with a great hook that manages to slide under your skin to get your feet tapping. “Love Scene” is a little on the softer side, but no less infectious. By the third track, “Out to Sea” I’d really begun to warm to the album. The album pretty much follows that formula, from something laid back, to something a bit feistier and back again.

There’s certainly some great songs on this album. My favorite tracks would have to be “Punchline”, “From Midas to Minus” and “Rescue”. As with many great albums, this one closes with a lengthy 6 minute piece, titled “Time for Good” and rounds the album off beautifully.

Conclusion : Todd has a great voice with lots of character. The songs have that lyrical quality that really shines. It’s a great album to chill to and a definite one to play when you want something for those more reflective moments..

• Band / Artist : Cyr
• Genre : Pop / Rock
• Sample Track Download : Drama Queen
• Buy CD : Buy
• Buy Digital Download : N/A
• Rating : 7 out of 10

This EP from Canadian band Cyr, doesn’t take long to get warmed up, bursting forth within seconds of the first track. In fact the opening track “Drama Queen” reminded me a bit of “Black and White” from Michael Jackson. Now don’t let that frighten you, it’s just the way the guitar plays muted and then ramps up, if you know what I mean. I think it’s inevitable that this band is going to get compared to Nirvana. However this is more like Nirvana without the almost suicidal, angst ridden under tones. Oh yeah and you can actually understand what they are singing about.
“Ever Lose Somebody” has all the makings of a hit song, that craves to be played on the radio. “Back to You” is more laid back with some great guitar licks, that somehow reminded me of the Kinks, Sunny Afternoon. The majority of the tracks have a heavy Weezer feel about them, with some specks of Nirvana sprinkled liberally, “It’s Alright” being a prime candidate for a potential Weezer song. The EP finishes up with “Cashmere Smile”, which is a very relaxed, laid back track, a perfect song to close the EP with,

Conclusion : As a debut EP this is an excellent introduction to Cyr. There’s some great songs, which I’m sure will go a long way to interest new listeners.

• Band / Artist : Colleen Power
• Genre : Newfie / Folk / Country
• Sample Track Download : Na Na Song
• Buy CD : Buy
• Buy Digital Download : N/A
• Rating : 8 out of 10

You might call it folk. You might call it country, but to me this is Newfie through and through, well most of it anyways. This is of course is no surprise, seeing how Colleen is from Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, where cod’s cheeks are a delicacy, as are cod’s tongues and where being Screetched in again requires the assistance of the cod. Busy fish the cod. And indeed, I don’t think you’ll ever read another music review, where the cod is featured 5 times and that’s just the opening paragraph. Anyway as always, I digress.

This style of music, may not be to everyones taste, but there’s no denying, when you hear it, you just can’t resist tapping your feet, or hands, or both. There’s just something so infectious about the melding of this style of music and vocals. Talking of vocals, Colleen has a wonderful full voice, which sounds so real. There’s no over production, or covering of blemishes, as it’s just not needed, there are none. The only odd thing about this album is the inclusion of several tracks in French, but maybe that has relevance to Colleen’s upbringing, or just the influence of that little French island of St. Pierre I think it is, somewhere way off the coast of Newfoundland.

Of the 13 tracks, I think Amphibian has some of the most interesting lyrics and also has a kind of reggae groove happening, which whilst comes as somewhat a surprise, actually works quite well. The lyrics throughout are very well done as is the music. Particular high points for me are “Leavin’ Song” which is the song that opens the album, “Ugly Tellin’ Lies”, “Na Na Song” and “Torbay Road” which is about as Newfie as you can get, wondrous stuff.

Conclusion : This is one of those little gems, that at first puts you slightly on your guard and then disarms. I was stuck in the International side of Gander airport on a stop over once, but this album brought me a whole lot closer to Newfoundland, than that airport ever did.

• Band / Artist : Sonny Combs and Kitty Kat Rodeo
• Genre : Pop / Rock / Jazz
• Sample Track Download : Guess She’s Right
• Buy CD : Buy
• Buy Digital Download : Beta Records
• Rating : 7.5 out of 10

What ever you say about this album, you have to be quick as not only is this a 7 track album, there’s also not a song on there that’s longer than 3 and a half minutes. Now that would scream to me “Rip Off”, if the seven tracks weren’t as good as they are.

There’s a really interesting mix of influences on this album, many of them rooted in the power pop days of the 70’s and 80’s, with a hint of jazz. Oh come back, no need to run for the hills, this is actually pretty good, no matter how you wrap it up. I’d say the only weak point on the album is some of the brass accompaniment which was a little weak for my liking. Not that it was bad, just I didn’t feel it fused with the rest of the album.

I mentioned there was a diverse range of influences on the album from Santana to the Byrds and even the Beatles, but you’d probably think I was off my tree if I told you the lead singer, who I assume is Sonny, has a voice that can’t help but remind me of his majesticness Ozzy Osbourne. No not the bat biting side of Ozzy, but the softer more mellow side. Maybe I’m just off my rocker, but I just can’t shake that image.

I’d love to hear a more complete (read longer) work, but there’s still an awful lot to like here. My favorite track on the album would have to be “Like a Fool”, which has that great laid back saxophone, which you can imagine filling the air as you take a late night drive along the coast, with the windows open.

Conclusion : Yes a little on the short side, but a great sound and some excellent guitar work.