Shelly Fraley - Into The Sun

Shelly Fraley - Into The Sun
2011, Hinterland House Publishing Co.

Native Kansan and Nashville transplant Shelly Fraley began writing songs at a young age on an out-of-tune church piano. Inspired by the pop music of her youth, Fraley developed a strong sense of melody and an appreciation for great hooks that lights up her songwriting with verve and panache. Fraley seems to have struck a chord along the line, with her songs featured on such shows as Private Practice, One Tree Hill, Army Wives and Pretty Little Liars. Fraley continues to build momentum on the back of her debut album, Into The Sun, while embarking on an East Coast tour of the U.S. in the Fall of 2011.

Into The Sun opens with "Sway", showing off a lush pop arrangement and sultry voice ala Canadian chanteuse Sarah Slean. "Come On, Let Go" is a catchy, bouncy pop tune about inertia in relationships, and having the courage to let go when the time is right. Fraley's chorus is the sort that sticks with you, replaying itself in your mind long after the song is over. "Two At A Time" is a cute song of reminiscence of the joy and excitement of new love. Reserved in approach, Fraley nonetheless manages to create a catchy and memorable pop number with substance. "Up, Up & Away" seems the most likely hit here; a shiny bit of pop gold with a rootsy base that gets in your skull and stays there.

On "Be Brave", Fraley is psyching herself up to talk to someone she can't get out of her head. She knows he likes her too but just can't seem to make the first move. The song is wonderfully authentic, steeped in the normal neuroses of insecurity that plague us all when trying to interact with others. "Uh Oh I'm Fallin'" is a light and fluffy number about the pure elation of falling in love. Fraley nails the moment, encapsulating it in a musical atmosphere that's perfect for her subject. "Seize The Day" is all about picking up the pieces and moving on. A positive message in difficult light, the song itself is a solid album track, but Fraley's addition of strings to fill out the arrangement is a nice touch. Into The Sun closes with "Hi, Hi, Hi", exploring the circular nature of an on-again, off-again relationship. Fraley pulls off another memorable chorus in the process, writing a tune that will call you back and encourage you to hit play again.

Fraley contributes piano and voice on Into The Sun, but gets some help from alumni of the Josh Gracin Band, Sixpence None The Richer, Outsiders and Tonic along the way. Producer Mark Nash (PFR, Sixpence None The Richer) helps Fraley construct a musical tableau that puts her personal observations in song in their best light. There's a distinctive pop feel that pervades Into The Sun, but also a messy, organic side that makes Fraley's songwriting accessible and authentic to the listener at home. Into The Sun is a great start.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Shelly Fraley at www.shellyfraley.com or www.myspace.com/shellyfraley.  Into The Sun is available from Amazon.com as a CD or Download.  The album is also available via iTunes.

The Literary Greats - Ocean, Meet The Valley

The Literary Greats - Ocean, Meet The Valley
2009, The Literary Greats

Houston, Texas quintet The Literary Greats recently returned with their sophomore album, Ocean, Meet The Valley. With a rootsy approach to rock n roll, The Literary Greats take a deeper, darker turn with Ocean, Meet The Valley. Working with producer Chris Grainger (Wilco, Sixpence None The Richer), The Literary Greats used 1970’s era equipment and recording techniques to capture a classic sound.

Ocean, Meet The Valley opens with "That Mountain Yonder", a song of big melodic sensibilities and Americana colorings. The Literary Greats come off sounding like a cross between The Rolling Stones and Wings here. "Show Me The Coast" is a Blue Rodeo-style country rocker with a big guitar sound. It's a great tune, one that will have you hitting replay over and over. The Literary Greats get a bit scattered on "Happens Every Time" before falling into the droning and "The Black Bee". "Oh Abilene is a raucous country rocker that's well worth the listen, particularly in a honky-tonk or club where there are many willing dancers.

Dreadnought is highly repetitive, working around a play on words "fear God and dreadnought" in a song powered by big, heavy guitar sound. "Ruby Sapphire" is a love song of sorts, wrapped up in a dark, mildly funky rock tune with serious backbeat and a solid chorus. "Ocean Waves" has a low-key, early-1960's sound that's vaguely reminiscent of Roy Orbison, although the lyrics sound straight from the heart. The Literary Greats close with "Hill Country Queen", an affable love song with some real potential.

Ocean, Meet The Valley is an enjoyable side-trip, full of solid melodies, plus songwriting and energetic performances from The Literary Greats. Americana fans should fawn all over The Literary Greats. These guys can flat out play, sing, write and perform.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about The Literary Greats at http://www.theliterarygreats.com/ or www.myspace.com/theliterarygreats. Ocean, Meet The Valley is available in multiple formats from Amazon.

Review: The Rippys - Lost And Found

The Rippys – Lost And Found
2009, Afterever

Ron and Leticia Rippy form two partnerships. The husband and wife duo are also known as The Rippys, the Los Angeles based music duo that throws out distinctions between religious and secular music and writes from a diverse well of influences. From artists such as Chicago, James Taylor, Wilson Phillips, Amy Grant and Steven Curtis Chapman, The Rippys gather influence and inspiration to write about subjects ranging from relationships to God. Their debut CD, Lost And Found, seeks what all people seek: meaning, purpose, fulfillment and love.

Lost And Found opens with You And Me, a great pop arrangement with lots of energy. Is It Me moves to a big classic rock guitar sound with soulful vocals. Is It Me is a bit lyrically awkward, but highly listenable. Can You Hear Me (L) is funky with lots of soul. Maker is musically pleasing, but lyrically simplistic and repetitive to the point of distraction. Move Me is a reggae Praise song that works more for its quirkiness than anything else. Other songs of interest are Cries Out, where the Rippys manage to sound a bit like later Yes and My Whole Heart.

The Rippys remind me a great deal of Sixpence None The Richer, a band that is primarily Christian in content but occasionally delves into secular subject matter. There’s real talent here but also a tendency perhaps to force their desired subject matter into song rather than letting the songs be what they want and then finding words to fit. The music here is quite enjoyable, but the lyrical constructs can be awkward at times. Nevertheless Lost And Found is an interesting listen.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about The Rippys at http://www.rippys.net/ or www.myspace.com/therippys. You can purchase a copy of Lost And Found at www.cdbaby.com/cd/rippys.