Archive for September, 2007

• Band / Artist : The Perishers – mySpace
• Genre : Rock
• Sample Track Download : N/A
• Buy CD : Nettwerk Store
• Buy Digital Download : iTunes
• Rating : 9.5 out of 10

I find it amazing that a band as good as this can be on their third album and yet have barely made a blip on my music radar. Some of this could be the fact that they hail from Sweden, so maybe their earlier albums, were a pretty low key affair. Whatever the reason, I’m sure their low profile is soon to be a thing of the past, as when I first heard this album, I was absolutely blown away. It didn’t help that I got the album over a month before it’s official release, which meant that while I could enjoy listening to it over and over again, I couldn’t post a review, as it’s Indie Launchpads policy to only post reviews of bands/artists who actually have their albums/EPs available for purchase or download.

The album opens with “Midnight Skies”, setting the tone very well for what’s to come. There’s a real dark side to this album, but it’s balancing on a knifes edge, between that and an almost hopeless optimism. Starting at a real slow tempo, things soon pick up and you feel like there’s an inner spirit dying to break out. Too and fro, from laid back and mellow to upbeat. “Never Bloom” reminds me a lot of some early Morrissey stuff. “Carefree” is probably the most radio friendly track on the album, but that’s in no way a complaint. That Morrissey sound comes back with “My Own”, not so much with the vocals, but the phrasing of the lyrics and the basic understated melody.

“Victorious” is another more radio friendly track, which I’m sure would also sound great live. There’s all but a hint of an accent here, and on a few of the other tracks, but you’d be pretty hard pressed too guess that this is a Swedish band. There’s certainly some parallels between the Perishers and the Norwegian powerhouse band, A-Ha. Both having a very distinctive sound and know how to craft well written and catchy songs.

Everytrack has that certain something. That undefinable ingrediant, that makes magic. I’ve read reviews of some of the bands other releases and seen a few people mention, how this album is not as good as some of their previous stuff. I find that hard to believe, but am quite willing to be proved wrong. Either way I’ll end up with amazing music.

Conclusion : Simply a stunning album, that’s been in constant rotation on my stereo and I’m sure will be for a long time to come.

• Band / Artist : Kellie Coffey – mySpace
• Genre : Country / Pop / Rock
• Sample Track Download : N/A
• Buy CD : CD Baby
• Buy Digital Download : iTunes
• Rating : 9 out of 10

Country is not a genre of music, I usually have a lot of time for. However on the odd occasion, an artist appears that manages to strike the right chord. I was approached by the marketing company representing Kellie and given her MySpace details. The first song I heard was “I Would Die for That” and I can honestly say I was genuinely moved, not just by the subject matter, a woman coping with infertility, but also by Kellie’s wonderful and emotive voice. I knew that this was going to be an artist I had to review. After listening to the album just once, I was blown away and it continues to capture a bigger space in my music heart.

Kellie is one of those artists that has travelled the major label route, and now finds herself an independent artist. Major lable’s loss, is indie’s gain.

The album begins with “Walk On”, which certainly has hints of dare I say it, Shania Twain. Certainly when you get to the chorus, you feel like that hint of familiarity, which is not always a bad thing. While this track is definitely more pop than country, the roles are reversed with the next track “When Pigs Fly”, with it’s banjo and fiddle accompaniment. “Everything She Never Wanted” also has that very country feel, but it’s not all out, full on country and it’s not really pop, but falls just in that middle catchment area, which is probably why it appeals to me so much. “Strong Enough to Cry” is a nice platform for Kellie’s great voice and it’s probably here that I really began to notice the great production on this track and indeed the rest of the album.

As I mentioned before “I Would Die for That” is an absolutely killer track, that is sure to melt all but the coldest hearts. There’s also a video for this track, which you can find pretty easily on YouTube. “I Thought I Knew You Well” has a tune that reminds me of a track from another band, more specifically the guitar accompaniment, but it is a great melodic, laid back track, with a wonderful hook for a chorus.

OK, so everything has been going swimmingly, well that was until I got to “Bandwagon”. This track for me, while being fun and light hearted, is just a bit too square dance for me and always has me reaching for the [Next] button, when close to hand. The final 5 tracks are totally in keeping with the rest of the album, rounding off with “There You Go Again”, which while fairly downbeat, provides a fitting end, to a wonderful journey.

Conclusion : Aside from a single track that is maybe a little too, jingle, jangle country for me, this is an incredible album, that’s really made me sit up and listen to country, so no mean feat in itself. I can’t wait to see what comes over the horizon from Kellie and can thoroughly recommend this album, if you like good music, lyrics and a voice that is both sensual and full of raw emotion. Truly wondrous.