Posted by admin on 1st February 2008
- Band / Artist : I Am Jen – mySpace
- Genre : Pop / Electronica
- Sample Track Download : N/A
- Buy CD : CD Baby
- Buy Digital Download : iTunes
- Rating : 8 out of 10
Having reviewed Jen Scaturro’s previous EP under the name I Am Jen, back in April 2006, when I heard she had released another EP recently (cough well over 4 months now), I had to get it in for review. There’s something wonderful about the way she fuses an electronic sound, with soft, raw vocals, resulting in something quite special. The EP opens with “My Other”, which is a treat for the ears, especially the sounds in the first few seconds. As soon as you hear Jen’s vocals, it’s hard to believe nearly 2 years have passed since the previous EP. Again with the title track, we have an aural feast, which has become something of a hallmark for Jen’s music. I hear the great production and it’s hard to believe this is all recorded in her apartment. “Invisible”, while being the longest track on the EP, seems to end in a blink of an eye, another thing that really enforces how good this music is.
Interestingly enough though, my favorite track on this 4 track EP is “Blowing my Mind”, which uncharacteristically for Jen, has not an electronic sound in earshot, apart from the probable electronic, real sounding piano. There’s just something very warming about it, as it’s pretty much piano and vocals. It’s the kind of track you can imagine playing on the closing credits of a movie. Unfortunately the final track “I Can’t Explain” scuppers the clean sweep. There’s something very disjointed about the music and indeed the vocals. I have an inkling this is as intended, but to my ear it sound both disturbing and awkward and could easily have been left of the EP in my opinion.
On a quick side note, it has to be noted that the cover for this EP is decidedly simple. For anyone who has seen the YouTube video, “Making the Broken EP“, will appreciate why this probably is. Take a look anyway, as it really is a great video to watch.
Conclusion : Another cracking release from Jen, with just a mere blotch at the end. Here’s hoping it’s not another 2 years till the next release.
Posted in Electronica, Pop | No Comments »
Posted by admin on 1st February 2008
Some people no doubt get a bit fed up of me constantly making comparisons to other artists, but sometimes there’s a benefit for readers to Indie Launchpad in that they are able to effectively zoom in on a band or artists if they know who they are similar to. Upon putting this CD on, within seconds I came up with the Boo Radleys, a band who enjoyed huge success in the 90’s before splitting up. Actually coincidentally Martin Carr, went on to form Brave Captain, whose album I reviewed back in March 2006 and which was quite a departure from his Boo Radley’s days. Anyway I’m getting off track.
“Incident After” opens this 3 track EP and you are immediately greeted by a very warm, relaxed sound. As I said before if you know the Boo Radleys, this is going to come as a very complimentary EP to your collection. “Steel Trap Attacks” has a great acoustic sound and in fact it was this track were the acoustic guitar really came to my attention, even though it was used extensively on the previous track. I’m a sucker for many instruments, the acoustic guitar being one of them. It does help however when it’s used effectively as it has here. The final track “My Fire” is my favorite track and while I thoroughly enjoyed the EP, I have to admit there was a certain fire missing. Some of this is down to the musical style, but I felt there was a certain something missing.
Conclusion : A great laid back sound, which really works as a 3 track EP, but I think I would have some concerns for a full length album. Here’s looking forward to being proved wrong.
Posted in Pop | No Comments »
Posted by admin on 1st February 2008
I’ve been meaning to review this EP for a while, but never got around to emailing Wil. Then all of a sudden I heard him on a few podcasts and then received a couple of emails from him. It’s funny how things happen like that sometimes. This 5 track EP has a great upbeat sound to it, opening with “Super Wonderful” which introduces you nicely to Wil’s sound. His sound reminds me very much of Hootie and the Blowfish, but with much softer vocals. In fact there is a very 90’s feel to most of the tracks, not that that is a bad thing. The previously mentioned Hootie, are still one of the artists in my all time greats CD’s list.
I know I have this bug up my, well somewhere on my persona, about title tracks and have to admit, at first thought “Stay” wasn’t as strong as the rest of the tracks, which to me is like leading with your best foot far, far behind forward. I warmed to it surprisingly quickly though. It’s a relatively laid back rock track, which is great, but it is somewhat overshadowed by the track that follows “Better Way”, which for me really shows Wil in his best light.
“Better Way” again reinforces that Hootie feel, but with Wil’s voice it takes the song in a different direction, which works nicely. It’s the track I’ve heard on the majority of podcasts, so either the podcasters are agreeing with me on the strongest track, or Wil is preferring this track himself and sending it out for pod play. “Nervous” is a track that really didn’t gel well with me. There’s something about it that just didn’t sit well with me. In my head I expected the EP to end on a laid back, relaxed note, but I was wrong. The final track “Tired” however does try a different musical style, but I have to say while it was a pleasant track, it wasn’t the direction I was hoping for. Overall though an Interesting EP, which opens very strongly. The first 3 tracks are great, while the last 2 tracks just weren’t my cup of tea, but very pleasant nonetheless.
Conclusion : I couldn’t quite shake the Hootie sound, but sometimes that’s not a bad thing. A great rising talent, who I’m hoping breaks out a bit and develops more of the Wil Deynes sound.
Posted in Acoustic, Pop, Rock | No Comments »
