Alessi's Ark - Time Travel

Alessi's Ark - Time Travel
2011, Bella Union

Alessi Laurent-Marke, AKA Alessi's Ark, left school at the age of sixteen to pursue a career in music, promising her parents she's come back in a year if the music thing didn't work out. Amazingly enough, she signed a major label deal with Virgin Records before her 17th birthday, and went on to record her debut album, Notes From The Treehouse, with producer Mike Mogis (Rilo Kiley). The album did well for Alessi's Ark in England, and she continued to play out extensively, but Alessi's Ark parted ways with Virgin in 2010, opting instead for Indie label Bella Union. One EP later, Alessi's Ark released her Bella Union full length debut, Time Travel, in the Spring of 2010, with a US release in September.

For all of the energy and personality Alessi's Ark brings to the stage, Time Travel is an amazingly passive record. Think Hope Sandoval without the smooth veneer, and this is the musical milieu that Alessi's Ark occupies for much of Time Travel. When she steps out of her protective shell, the artist is engaging. "Blanket" is the highlight of the album, with Alessi Laurent-Marke singing out in a voice strong and clear, showing a passion that is just too absent elsewhere. "The Robot" has a similar energy, and thrives in the quiet environment of the album, but listeners just spend too much time waiting for Alessi's Ark to do something interesting, with too few rewards in the listening.

Rating: 2.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Alessi’s Ark at www.alessisark.com or www.myspace.com/alessisark.

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Beth Bombara - Wish I Were You

Beth Bombara - Wish I Were You

2010, Beth Bombara

St. Louis songbird Beth Bombara continues to shift her musical sights on her first full-length album under her own name, Wish I Were You. Infusing folk, Americana, blues and rock n roll in a restless but highly enjoyable song cycle; Bombara continues to remake herself as an artist and gets ever closer to the core of her talent as a songwriter.

Wish I Were You opens with "Rainbow" a gentle American number full of a melancholy born of experience but also infused with hope for something more.  The subject here could either be romantic or just a friend; Bombara's complex subtlety evades discernment, but the depth of emotion is powerful either way.  "Can't Win" is a catchy acoustic country/rocker with an unforgettable melody.  Bombara reflects on the realities of the working artist, regretting the tendency for basic human needs to waylay such pursuits.  This is among Bombara's best works to date, featuring a fresh sound and gorgeous vocal harmonies.  "Direction" is a tuneful request for guidance from one who is tired of being directionless but doesn't know which way to go. 

Bombara sidesteps on “Lately".  The song has real potential, but is drawn with a melancholy wail that just doesn't entirely work.  Bombara puts her rock n roll shoes on for "Winter Blues".  Opening with a bluesy folk sound, the song quickly turns into an impudent and bleak but energetic rocker.  "Pots & Pans" blends blues, rock and Americana in near-perfect fashion.  Bombara is in great voice here, and this song will get stuck in your noggin.  Don't be surprised if the licensers start lining up for this one.  Bombara shows off her lyrical talents on "Not Fair", a contemplative song of heartbreak laid out over a wonderfully sparse arrangement that affects the mood of the song perfectly. 

Bombara revitalizes "Abandon Ship" as an Americana/country number and may actually have improved on the original.  This is one of Bombara's best songs, and was a standout on the EP of the same name, but takes on additional color and context in the current arrangement.  The stunning vocal hook that drives the chorus carries over well in spite of the stylistic changes.  Bombara details the classic human struggle for a sense of control in "I'm Not Tired".  Anyone who has ever tried to convince a toddler that its bedtime will get it, and perhaps see some of themselves in that eternal struggle.  Wish I Were You closes with "Don't You Know", a straight forward love song written without device of affectation.  Bombara starts out with just her voice and banjo, eventually growing the song into an almost orchestral country arrangement that is highly appealing. 

Beth Bombara never stands still.  Every time something of hers comes across this desk it's a bit different than the last; and Bombara just keeps getting better and better.  There is a quiet reserve to the songwriting on Wish I Were You, but within that reserve is a remarkably competent authorial voice, brought vibrantly to life in Bombara's singing voice and accompanying instrumentation.  Wish I Were You is a must have album, and will convince a lot of listeners to find out more about Beth Bombara.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

 Learn more about Beth Bombara at www.bethbombara.com.  Wish I Were You is available digitally from Amazon.com and iTunes.  If you want a physical CD you can score one through Bombara's webpage.  You can even get the album on vinyl from CDBaby.

Review: Jason Boesel - Hustler's Son

Jason Boesel - Hustler's Son
2010, Team Love Records

Jason Boesel is best known as a drummer who's worked with Bright Eyes, Rilo Kiley, The Elect and Conor Oberst, but he comes out from behind the kit for Hustler's Son, his solo debut. Out January 12, 2010 on Team Love Records, Hustler's Son explores Boesel's Americana leanings in ten original songs and one high-energy jam.

Hustler's Son opens with the dark musical matter of Black Waves before transitioning into the straight-forwardly charming Hand Of God. Boesel mines California Country, AM Rock and Americana for a refreshingly uncomplicated sound. that is sonically appealing. Burned Out And Busted has an easy feel that fits the whole California Country/Rock vibe. New World Mama manages to effectively combine a low-key delivery with vibrant energy. Boesel's voice isn't perfect, but he transcends himself on this tune. Hustler's Son is the first song Boesel wrote, and it's a gem. Boesel writes seemingly from the heart here, turning a gentle bit Country-Swing into a testimonial you'll have on repeat. Getting Healthy (Good Luck) sets a nearly disinterested vocal delivery against an energetic and rhythmic arrangement. The contrast between the two drives the song and makes for intriguing listening. I Got The Reason #1 is a jam Boesel plays with Conor Oberst and The Mystic Valley Band on tour. He documents the song here in low-key tones. Boesel closes out with Winking Eyes, a song that celebrates the passing of time in memorable moments. The delivery is once again low-key, perhaps a bit too much, but it's a sweet song that tries to soar a bit in the chorus.

Jason Boesel gives an intriguing effort on Hustler's Son. It's not the sort of album you listen to incessantly for weeks after buying it. Rather, it's one of those discs you'll appreciate again and again over time. Boesel is a solid songwriter and a decent vocalist, and his backing band includes folks who've played with Tom Petty, Gillian Welch, Old Crow Medicine Show and fellow members of Rilo Kiley and Mystic Valley Band. Hustler's Son is worth spending some time on.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Jason Boesel at www.myspace.com/jasonboesel or http://www.team-love.com/. You can purchase Hustler’s Son as either a CD or Download from Amazon.com.

Note: This review was previously removed by Blogger per a DMCA request (supposedly), but no information regarding the source or reason for the request was ever provided as required under law. If you have a concern with the content of this review, please contact me at wildysworld@gmail.com so that any concerns may be addressed. Short of specific feedback it is impossible to alter the review in an substantive way that ensures the complainant's perception of compliance. We here at Wildy's World are all about protecting the rights of the artists we cover, but we're also about protecting our right to offer honest thoughts and opinions about music offered in the public sphere, and will make every effort to publicize efforts to use DMCA for purposes other than what it was intended for.

Review: Alan Semerdjian - The Big Beauty

Alan Semerdjian - The Big Beauty
2009, Alan Arts Music

Alan Semerdjian has created a circle with his music where life feeds art and art feeds life. As the front man for New York City band Surreal for most of the 1990’s, Semerdjian toured the East Coast of the United State many times over, sharing the stage with a who’s who of bands and artists and writing music that still gets used periodically for television and movies. These days, Semerdjian is on his own, playing a quirky brand of Alt-Pop mixed with Americana. And I wouldn’t say he’s entirely on his own, as Semerdjian collaborates with an impressive list of friends (including Jen Chapin, Daniel Carter, Nick Gianni and Chris Barron (Spin Doctors)). Semerdjian’s latest release, The Big Beauty, encompasses all of the melodic and lyric charms fans have become accustomed to in a slightly more refined package. The Big Beauty is produced by Rilo Kiley's Michael Bloom, and features Franz Nicholay (Hold Steady), Chris Kuffner (Ingrid Michaelson, Regina Spektor), Dave Diamond (Zen Trickers) and Philip A. Jimenez (Wheatus) among others.

The Big Beauty opens with Your Love, a distinctive melody wrapped in gorgeous harmonies and an Americana-Pop arrangement you won't be able to get out of your brain. This leads into I Can't Tell You How; strong active Americana-Rock that reminds me of what you might hear if Ron Hawkins were ever to jam with the likes of Blue Rodeo. Semerdjian has a couple of WOW moments on The Big Beauty, and the first one arrives three songs in. Bad Dreams is an amazing take on loving someone who is perhaps not emotionally stable. Lyrically, musically and vocally this song is flawless. You Can Run finds Semerdjian taking a Chris Isaak turn with a beautiful yet melancholy tale.

Hole In Your Home is highly textured in arrangement and equally emotive. The two distinctly percussive natures (one literal, the other emotional) come together to create a powerful moment in song. The sometimes shadowing and sometimes juxtaposed natures of these two rhythms seem to echo relationships as the members fall in and out of sync repeatedly over time. Semerdjian rips off the roof on Everything (She's Still The Best). Fans of early Skydiggers/Cash Brothers will listen to this with distinct joy. Semerdjian dishes out a bit of sleight of hand here, opening with a prologue that speaks to his Armenian heritage before slowly transitioning into a driving folk/country arrangement that won't allow you to sit still. Stephanie is a love song that takes a disastrous turn. Keep your game face on, as the lyrics will get a smile out of your before they're done.

Melody combines elements of Jazz, Funk and Blues in a tune that is alternately pensive and busy (perhaps at times too much so). This is a great listen, but does border on becoming too muddy at moments. When There Was Something Wrong With You is the other real WOW moment on The Big Beauty. Semerdjian has crafted an arrangement you won't want to end. This is true ear candy. AM Radio changes pace with a full, multi-layered sound wrapped around an unforgettable melody that's very much down tempo.

Alan Semerdjian has one of those voices you could listen to all day. Take care you don't get so into his voice that you miss on out on the wonderful musicianship, distinctive lyrical style and songwriting that comprise The Big Beauty. Alan Semerdjian has been a critical favorite for a long time, and carries a lot of respect from fellow musicians, but its baffling how he hasn't broken through into the social conscience of a music scene crying for talent like this. The Big Beauty is required listening from an essentially talent. Make sure you spend some time with Alan Semerdjian soon.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Alan Semerdjian at http://www.alanarts.com/, http://www.alansemerdjian.com/ or www.myspace.com/semerdjian. The Big Beauty hits the street on September 1, 2009. You can purchase a copy of The Big Beauty at www.cdbaby.com/cd/semerdjian2, or you can download the album from iTunes.

Review: This Blue Heaven - Quicksandglass

This Blue Heaven - Quicksandglass
2009, Green Door Six Music

Boston quintet This Blue Heaven has one foot in the 1980's golden era of pop/rock and the other in the neo-folk/rock of bands like Rilo Kiley and Death Cab For Cutie. With a new wave sensibility and a stack of melodies that just won't quit, This Blue Heaven grabs hold of the listener by the ears and won't let go. Their debut album, Quicksandglass is a throwback to a not-too-long-ago time when bands wrote albums, not just a series of disjointed singles for dissemination into the ether.

Quicksandglass opens with Bliss, hearkening back to a sound originated in the girl vocal groups of the 1960's and revived somewhat in the early 1980's. MacKenzie Outlund has an exceedingly warm and pleasant voice that is perfect for this material. The guitar work sounds like Brian May is sitting in, a credit to guitarist Stu Dietz. My Disgrace is a classic unrequited dysfunctional love song wrapped in a wonderful new wave arrangement and a sing-along vocal line. As Ever As Always continues in the New Wave vein with a slightly repressed rocker that would have been Top-40 material circa 1985. Any Other Way is another classic dysfunctional relationship pop song, wonderfully melodic and upbeat in spite of its somewhat dark lyrical nature.

But As Hard As You Try is a song that, released 25 years ago, would have been a monster hit. There's still strong commercial potential here, although obviously the musical mores of the day have change some in a quarter century. Think Corey Hart around 1985 and you have an idea of the sound here (with a female vocalist). Be sure to check out Insomnia, easily the darkest song on the album with a fuzzy soundscape that is memorable. Other highlights include This Time, Future World, When It Feels Like You've Never Been Gone and personal favorite Where The Living Starts.

This Blue Heaven has crafted a highly listenable and intriguing sound. Quicksandglass makes quite an impression, and there's every reason to think This Blue Heaven is here to stay. Make some time to check these guys out, it'll be worth it.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about This Blue Heaven at http://www.thisblueheaven.com/. You can get the digital download of Quicksandglass from Amazon MP3. You’ll have to contact the band directly if you’re looking for a CD as we were unable to find any online outlets.