Charlotte Sometimes - By Request

Charlotte Sometimes – By Request [EP]
2014, MRI Associated

Charlotte Sometimes, AKA Jessica Charlotte Poland, is a NYC-based native of New Jersey.  Her singing and songwriting talents have seen her as a featured performer on The Warped Tour and a contest on Season 2 of The Voice.  Get beyond the popular acclaim, however, and Charlotte Sometimes is a fairly talented singer and songwriter.  Afflicted with Condylar Resorption during her teens, Charlotte had her jaw bone replace by two of her ribs.  None of this seems to have had the least effect on her voice on By Request. 

Charlotte opens with “Magic”, showing off an intriguingly full-bodied voice full of unusual and interesting timbres.  This is a great introduction; a catchy-folk/rock number with an urgent chorus.  You could imagine Charlotte as something of a cross between Chrissie Hynde and Dolores O’Riordan and not be far off the mark.  “Paint The Sky” finds Charlotte exploring more of a country flavor while describing love as a difficult road.  There’s a plaintive sort of hope that underlies the text here.  It’s a great bit of songwriting, fractured with insecurities and question marks and a delicious musical sensibility. 

“Pumped Up Kicks” is a disturbing musical monologue that would fit nicely in a post-modern off-Broadway production.  Charlotte offers up a powerful vocal performance punctuated by an almost violent disaffection, making a defining impression in the process.  “Losing Sleep” is a complete 180, with Charlotte exploring an intimate vocal style with compelling intensity.  This is not a pretty song, per se, but it’s beautiful in its loneliness and distinctive sound.  When Charlotte goes into her belt she’ll blow most any room away.  This is a powerful musical attempt at becoming featuring just voice and guitar – A “wow” moment.

Charlotte Sometimes shows off many facets across the four songs on By Request.  You’ll be left wanting more, regardless of where your musical mores take you.  By Request is a break out effort that should (in a perfect world) make Charlotte Sometimes a nationally known performer.  Spread the word.  Down the road you can remind everyone else when you first told them about Charlotte Sometimes.

Rating:  4 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more at www.charlottesometimesmusic.com.  

Mental Monkey Ballet - Breaking The Law [EP]

Mental Monkey Ballet – Breaking The Law [EP]
2014, Applehead Records

Swedish rockers Mental Monkey Ballet are driven by the combination of songwriter/producer Jan Fretman and singer/songwriter/producer Vivi Lundstrom.    Their mix of tribal dance and post-punk/garage sounds is unique and opens up a host of creative possibilities.  Lundstrom and Fretman are joined by Anna Wennesten (keys/backing vox); Nino Prekratic (guitars);Hakan Englund (drums); Maxa Fron Pashayeva (bass); and Linnea Simon (backing vox).  Mental Monkey Ballet’s debut EP, Breaking The Law, will be released in the early part of 2014.

Breaking The Law launches on the esoteric sound of “Into The Open”, with lead vocalist Vivi Lundstrom sounding like a wayward cross between Dolores O’Riordan and Chrissie Hynde.  Full of energy and a pending sense of chaos, “Into The Open” is an announcement, a dropping of the musical gauntlet, if you will that announces Mental Monkey Ballet to the world.  “Club 27” is an edgy alt-rocker built around a serious pop hook.  Mental Monkey Ballet falls prey to the song’s sense of repetition a bit, but this tune has the potential to cross the rock/pop/dance divide. “Different” is a forlorn ballad that matches sonic and lyric sensibilities.  The arrangement is well crafted, but the pacing is tough and the track simply lasts too long.  Lundstrom’s voice is impeccable, but even she seems to falter under the weight of the material.

“Chemical” is similarly weighted.  Mental Monkey Ballet seems to explore the various ways people try to find a higher mind, whether through drugs or religion.  This turns into a tired and drawn out piece that’s more naval gaze than anything else.  The energy level here is proof.  There’s sort of a messy monotony to “Breaking The Law”, as if Mental Monkey Ballet is trying to blend a messy, almost garage-like feel onto what is essentially a dance tune.  “You’re More Trouble Than You’re Worth” is a classic kiss-off song with a killer back-beat.  Mental Monkey Ballet are thoroughly in their element here, and Vivi Lundstrom shines.  Breaking The Law winds down with the “Get Around This”, a ballad about trying to move on.   The song is deeply melancholy, with the energy to match.

Mental Monkey Ballet wends their way through the seven songs on Breaking The Law with an almost lackluster feel at times.  There are some very bright moments here, and it’s clear to see that the band has the potential to be a major player on the international music scene.  Vivi Lundstrom has a classic alt-rock front-woman’s voice.  Unfortunately, Mental Monkey Ballet spends much of the EP wallowing in low-energy, low yield arrangements.  When Mental Monkey Ballet breaks out of their torpor, you’ll be glad you’re along for the ride.

Rating: 2.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more at www.mentalmonkeyballet.com. 

Introducing: Charlotte Sabina

Perhaps one of the best parts of writing this blog is introducing readers to new artists you might not have heard of before. Today I'd like to introduce you to Charlotte Sabina, a ten-year old singer/songwriter and future superstar from New York City. Born of an American father and Brazilian mother, Charlotte draws her influences from a multitude of musical styles and sounds. Her sound is still quite young, but she shows a precocity and a level of talent that is very rare in one so young. Check out her latest home-spun video, for the song "Strangeboy". You can learn more about Charlotte Sabina at www.charlottesabina.com.

Review: Nite Nite - How To Touch The Moon

Nite Nite - How To Touch The Moon
2010, Nite Nite/BMI

Nashville’s Nite Nite looks to smear the edges of music city with their original blend of Goth, Post-Punk British New Wave and Americana. Nite Nite have slowly been building a buzz right under the nose of the Country world for a few years now, out-playing themselves in small clubs and occasional even showing up headliners as a wayward opening act. On January 12, 2010, Nite Nite will release their full length debut album, How To Touch The Moon. If Siouxsie & The Banshees or The Cure is your bag, then you’ll definitely get a kick out of Nite Nite.

Nite Nite opens with Touch The Moon, a Cranberries-esque rocker that plods along to a faux-martial beat. Vocalist Davis Chatfield sounds like a bizarre cross between Dolores O'Riordan and Edie Brickell, and stands amid a somewhat reserved yet vibrantly open alt-rock sound. Nite Nite eschews comfort for the vaguely disturbing and occasionally dissonant Black Noise. Bury Me finds Chatfield particularly hard to understand, especially in the chorus. Diction heads south quickly here, and while Chatfield is a fairly decent singer, she's not quite good enough to get away with Stevie Nicks style enunciation. In A Dream takes on a distinctly more Pop feel (think Phil Spectre ;) without a few of the frills) and you'll get the idea.

Nite Nite starts hitting on all eight cylinders during Hello, I'm Melancholy. The song itself is quirky enough and with a distinctive Pop feel that will turn heads. What They Do Not Know goes for heavy synth and an almost Baltic sound in an alt-rock arrangement vaguely reminiscent of The Breeders. Nite Nite gives a flat performance on These Days, a song that wants to get off the ground, but the mix here is terrible. Chatfield's vocals are too relaxed and in the instrumental mix, and the sound is just too busy. Chatfield is actually trying to break out here somewhat, but the producer ensures that can't happen. She tries again on I'm Always Right!, succeeding to a small degree but still handcuffed by the heavy-handed production. Lost To Say The Least closes things out and is by far the best recording on the album. The band is crisp and clear, and Chatfield is at her vocal best.

Nite Nite has an interesting sound that may have real potential, but a different ear and touch at the production board may be required to bring out their best. Chatfield has a solid voice that's a pleasure to listen to, but it spends much of the album mired too deep in the instrumental mix to really shine the way it should. Chatfield does have some diction issues, but this may be more stylistic than anything else. How To Touch The Moon is an intriguing start. I'll be curious to see what comes next for Nite Nite.

Rating: 2.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Nite Nite at www.myspace.com/niteniteband. How To Touch The Moon drops on January 12, 2010. Keep checking Nite Nite’s MySpace page for availability.

Review: Mammut - Karkari

Mammut - Karkari
2009, Record Records

Reykjavik, Iceland’s Mammut is something of a musical anomaly. Composed of three women and two men, all in their early twenties, Mammut is quickly becoming one of the most distinctive and talented young acts Iceland has to offer. Mammut has already received mention from Rolling Stone, and their latest CD, Karkari, has produced three #1 singles in their native Iceland. Mammut made big waves at SXSW with an intense live show, and have toured with Belgian rock band dEUS.

Karkari opens with Endir, a frenetic and crunchy alt-rock tune that will make you want to get up and dance. Lead vocalist Kata sounds a bit like a cross between Kate Bush, Tanya Donnelly and Dolores O'Riordan, if you can imagine such a thing. Giempra opens with a vicious bass riff before turning into a fairly straight-forward Alt-Rock tune. Not speaking Icelandic I couldn't tell you what the song is about, but it's a great listen. Svefnsykt breaks out the Punk energy and allows Kata to sing and wail along with impunity. Gun keeps the energy high; Don't listen to this one in a tight enclosed space (subway, city bus, etc.) as you'll find yourself knocking into people around you. Dyradottir opens with a piano part reminiscent of Tori Amos. The piano sets itself almost in contrast to the more lyric vocal line in one of the highlights of the album. Eg Veit Hann Kemur Fljott has an urgent and mildly angry energy punctuated by some wonderful guitar riffs. Also be sure to check out Drekasongur and I Leyni.

Mammut has an interesting sound that might have real commercial legs. The language barrier is a significant one particularly in North America, but Mammut has enough going for them that with English vocals they could gain a lot of attention in the US and Canada. Karkari is an unusual, occasionally sensuous, occasionally hard rocking musical experience. Check it out.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Mammut at www.myspace.com/mammut or http://www.mammutmusic.com/, where you can purchase a copy of Karkari using PayPal, or you can download the album from iTunes.

Review: Leslie Sanazaro - On Your Roof

Lesie Sanazaro – On Your Roof
2008, Leslie Sanazaro

Leslie Sanazaro is one of St. Louis, Missouri’s best kept secrets. Touring extensively over the past couple of years, Sanazaro has started to gain some minor name recognition outside of her home base. The Cuba, Missouri native released her second CD in 2008, On Your Roof; A mix of rock, folk and jazz that is guaranteed to perk up some ears in the Indie music world and beyond. The former leader or co-leader of bands such as Polaris, So Say We All and piano duo the Spinets casts her own strong yet principled voice out for all to hear. It’s safe to say that St. Louis’ secret isn’t safe for long.

Leslie Sanazaro is very hard to peg, musically. Vocally she sounds like a mix of Dolores O’Riordan, Tori Amos and Feist, all mixed up into one. Her voice is enigmatic, perhaps even iconic. It’s not a pretty voice, per se, but has a distinctly abstract beauty that can be in turns both charming and alarming. Musically very inventive, Sanazaro conveys her musical ideas in soft phrases and nuanced structure. Sanazaro is an extremely mature and subtle songwriter, very literate and intelligent in her lyrics while putting her heart on display for the world to hear. On Your Roof opens with Hot And Cold, a song of devotion and boundaries; hope and caution. This is glorious songwriting that will stick in your mind long after the CD stops spinning. For You is a classic love song. Lyrically sweet and thoughtful, the way love songs are meant to be. No schmaltz, no cliché, just intelligent thoughts and feeling laid out in song and poetry with a brave heart and a reserved spirit.

On Your Roof is a song full of abstract romance. It seems to be about love and the little moments that drive it and make it work. Sanazaro definitely found a bit of magic in this song. Put On Your Shoes is the greatest non-blues blues song you’ll ever hear. It sounds like a blues tune, it should be a blues tune, but it never quite crosses that line. You’ll understand when you hear it. The CD closes out with Healthy Obsession, a sweet and smart love song.

Leslie Sanazaro has a sound that is unique. She will stick out in your mind. Hers is one of those voices that will always be immediately recognizable. This doesn’t hurt someone trying to ascend the ladder in the music world. It doesn’t hurt that Sanazaro has a talent for wonderfully arranged and written pop songs with literate, subtle and approachable lyrics. Sanazaro has the talent and the charisma to do very well for herself, and On Your Roof is a great introduction. A definite must-hear.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Leslie Sanazaro at http://www.lesliesanazaro.com/ or www.myspace.com/lesliesanazaro. You can purchase a copy of On Your Roof at www.cdbaby.com/cd/sanazaro2.

Review: El Dorado - En Busca De Eldorado

Eldorado – En Busca De Eldorado

2008, Eldorado

Madrid has a secret, and it’s one that won’t keep. Madrid might just be home to the best new classic metal band around. Fans of Rainbow, Deep Purple and even Whitesnake will want to take note, Eldorado is the real deal. Combining a killer rhythm section with soaring guitar riffs, big choruses and a charismatic lead vocalist in Jesus Trujillo, Eldorado has found a winning Rock N Roll formula. Their debut album, En Busca De Eldorado, was produced by Richard Chycki whose worked with such august artists as Rush, Seal, Aerosmith, Sum 41, Kid Rock, Def Leppard, Pink and Dolores O’Riordan.

Eldorado mixes heavy blues, rock and classic 1970’s metal sounds into a musical patois that is both comfortably familiar and at the same time new and edgy. En Busca De Eldorado is eight tracks deep, with seven in Spanish and one in English. Even if you don’t speak Spanish, the musical language here is universal. En Busca De Eldorado opens with Abril, which has a real Def Leppard feel to the verse. Crushingly melodic guitars drive this song home while Trujillo goes soul-metal in a performance that is highly memorable. Guitarist Nano makes the point that he’s a force to be reckoned here with some incredibly hot soloing. Whereas Abril has a brooding core, El Final springs out of the gates with a lively beat and takes to the open road. Eldorado is a well-oiled machine here, rocking for all they’re worth. The harmonies on the chorus will hearken back to a time when most hard rock acts could really sing.

Un Mal Presentimiento sounds like something you might have seen on MTV in the hair band days of the mid-1980’s. Eldorado doesn’t skimp on the quality here, building a layered sound that is both melodic and edgy. Dejame Decirte sounds like a big rock ballad, fairly typical for the genre, but Trujillo’s vocals keep it more than interesting. En Busca De Eldorado goes for the big, soaring guitar sounds you might expect from Ronnie James Dio, although the song itself is a bit more polished and commercial than Dio might end up with. My favorite song here is El Jugador. Eldorado reaches down and grabs hold of an infectious blues core on El Jugador and refuses to let go. The result is a song that just won’t get out of your head. Mistreated is the only English Language song on the album, dealing even more keenly in a blues-heavy hard rock sound. You can tell the band is having fun on this one, waltzing into Prog territory with the song structure and even stepping on the toes of Led Zeppelin in a musical dance you won’t want to miss. The album closes with Identidad, the most ambitious rocker on the album; sure to be a concert favorite.

Eldorado is one of the most resilient and hardest rocking classic hard rock bands on the scene today. The fact that most audiences in the new world have never seen them aside, Eldorado is a band to watch. With a growing Latin American population and the addition of a few more English language songs, Eldorado may be on the precipice of jumping of the EU and taking over the rest of the Western Hemisphere. En Busca De Eldorado is amazing.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Eldorado at www.myspace.com/enbuscadeeldorado or http://www.enbuscadeeldorado.com/. You can purchase a copy of En Busca De Eldorado at www.cdbaby.com/cd/eldoradomusic.