CD Review: Ella Blame - Bitter Tears

Ella Blame - Bitter Tears
2008, Ella Blame et. al.

 Ella Blame is sort of a free form artist.  To listen to her songs is like watching a painter with canvas with a pre-filled background paint in the lead antagonist in his/her portrait.  Bitter Tears is full of interesting song poems where Ella Blame is more of a narrator than performer.   

Ella's voice soars and darts like that of the great Kate Bush.  She is an ethereal performer.  In general, however, I had a hard time with the material here.  There were exceptions, such as A Thousand Kisses and Bitter Tears.  The bulk of my issue here is the lack of structure or form to the songs. For me this is kind of a deal breaker for a CD.  Luckily there are tons of fans out there more into the free-form music/improvisation artform. 

Ella Blame is mesmerizing vocally, and the material on Bitter Tears is interesting even in light of the structure issue.  Consider this more of a personality conflict than a rejection, because there is a lot here to like.  Fans of free-form electronica and improvisation are going to eat this up; likewise fans of Kate Bush or other ethereal-voiced artists.  The other comparison that comes to mind is Milla Jovovich, who has played around in similar musical genres and has a similarly unique voice. Give Ella Blame a listen.  It will be hit or miss, but I promise you.  If it hits you you'll be thanking me. 

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Ella Blame at www.ella-blame.com.  You can purchase a copy of Bitter Tears at www.cdbaby.com/ellablame2.

CD Review: Lena - My Little, Temporary Loves

Lena - My Little, Temporary Loves
2008, Lena Poptova

Lena Poptova is a Russian-born performer who is based in Chicago. She performs in a talk-sing style that is reminiscent of Canadian singer/songwriter Meryn Cadell (The Sweater Song). Her backup music is programmed drum and keyboard that recreates everything from 1980's hip-hop vibes to quasi-Information Society dance beats to Adult Contemporary ballad. My Little, Temporary Loves is a four track EP that serves as ample introduction to Ms. Poptova.

Loves includes 2 versions of Goodbye, one explicit. This song is more spoken than sung while was mildly entertaining on the first listen was not particularly memorable. Perfect Day is similar in effect, but sounds like something Madonna might have considered for a project in the early 1990's. The most interesting song here is Lena's cover of David Bowie's China Girl. Performed as a ballad, Lena's version is in stark contrast to the glam overtures of the original. It's interesting, but there just isn't a lot of energy here.

In general the recording suffers from a lack of energy or zest. Lena is an artist of some talent, but whatever joix-de-vivre she brings to her live performances is lost here.

Rating: 2 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Lena at lenamusic.wordpress.com. This particular single is only available as a giveaway to members of Lena’s mailing list. Check out her site for more info.

CD Review: Leon Newton - Race Car Junky

Leon Newton - Race Care Junky
2007, Leon Newton

Low budget recording does have its advantages. From the perspective of a reviewer, there is less distraction in the form of effects. It leaves the music bare to be judged on its own in the harsh light of what it sounds like without embellishment. This can either be good or bad for the artist or material. In the case of Leon Newton's Race Car Junky, it's good.

Leon Newton is a decorated songwriter; a finalist in 2007 Song Of TheYear Contest in the country category. His voice is interesting, with a country drawl that disappears seemingly at will and an Elvis-like vibrato that shows up in the long, slow vocal passages.

Race Car Junky is a collection of mellow country/pop songs. The energy in this recording is very reserved, almost to a fault. The lyrical content is somewhat cliché and at times trite, but Newton occasionally pulls a gem out of his hat, such as Too Late, Welcome Love and Breaking Up.

Race Car Junky will appeal to fans of mellow country. It has enough high points to make it worth a listen, but not enough to make it unforgettable.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

You can purchase a copy of Race Car Junky at www.cdbaby.com/leonnewton.

Review: Lin McEwan - Now I Know EP

Lin McEwan - Now I Know
2008, Lin McEwan

Lin McEwan is an anomaly worth taking note. Take a look at the cover of her EP Now I Know, and she looks the part of usual pop princess. Pop in the CD and you hear a piano opening that sounds like it could be one of a thousand mellow pop albums, and then she sings. And what you hear is not the typically adenoidal voice of today's pop minions, but a full colorful voice more rmeiniscent of Cassandra Wilson than Jessica Simpson. Full of vibrato and dark alto coloring, Lin McEwan may be one of the most unique and enjoyable voices in pop music at the moment.

The EP opens with Rest Of Me, an ode to the pieces of us that get lost on the road to whom we become. The song is incredible, and while it's perhaps a little too emotionally deep for pop radio, I suspect it would outsell many of its contemporaries with the right push. Feel is about getting back to the base of human emotion and instinct in a relationship. This song in particular shows off the vermillion colors of Lin McEwan's voice, and would be an incredible live experience. The EP closes with Now I Know, a jazzy little number that really underscore the comparison to Cassandra Wilson.

Not everyone is going to like Lin McEwan. Her voice is going to grate on some people because it is not your typical rock/pop voice, but Now I Know is an excellent introduction to Lin McEwan. I would say that Lin McEwan's voice is as iconic as she herself may someday be.

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Lin McEwan at www.linmcewan.com. Now I Know is a digital EP available on iTunes, Napster, Rhapsody and Emusic.

CD Review: Eric Colville Band - X-Ray Glasses

Eric Colville Band – X-Ray Glasses
2008, Eric Colville

Can you imagine if Evan Dando had the guitar chops and songwriting sensibilities of Mark Knopfler? Well you don’t need to imagine such a combination; you merely need to take a listen to the Eric Colville Band’s X-Ray Glasses. Hailing from the North Shore of Boston, Eric Colville is a songwriter’s songwriter, with smart lyrics, great melodies and a sensibility for great hooks. Oh, and the band is top notch to boot!

12-Step Program is one of my favorites here, an alt-country mover and shaker that you won’t be able to resist. X-Ray Glasses and Picture Us Together are classics. Doer’s Lament is a very Springsteen singing with the Lemonheads moment. It’s the only way I can describe it, and it’s a very fun, catchy song.

Eric Colville knows how to write great songs, and he appears to know how to take the music seriously; himself less so. These are all elemental to a successful musician. He probably deserves much greater name recognition and fame than he’s likely to attain in today’s homogenized radio environment. But those of you in the know can spread the word. He’s the real deal. And X-Ray Glasses is worth your time.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Eric Colville at www.ericcolville.net. You can purchase a copy of X-Ray Glasses at www.cdbaby.com/ecolville3.

CD Review: Bek Ofis - For The Truth You Must Fight

Bek Ofis - For The Truth You Must Fight
2006, Bek Ofis - Czech Republic

And if I were to tell you that some of the best Brit-Pop going was coming out of Prague? Nuts, am I? Then you need to check out Bek Ofis' For The Truth You Must Fight. Combining a guitar-rock oriented song, and a singer who sounds like a Adult Contemporary Geddy Lee, Bek Ofis has a winning sound that should make them darlings of the international rock scene.

Bek Ofis is the brainchild of Jan J. Nedved, who also sings lead vocals and plays acoustic six-string. I Can See is an absolute GEM of a song, with lyric guitar work and Nedved's signature vocals. Other highlights include 7th Cloud and Get Away. Be sure to check out Stay and My Unwritten Poem as well.

Bek Ofis should have the room to grow their fan base through Europe based on their sound. They have the potential to be a top draw here in North America as well. For The Truth You Must Fight is a more-than-worthy first effort. Check it out today!

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can check out Bek Ofis at www.bekofis.com or www.myspace.com/bekofis. You can purchase a copy of For The Truth You Must Fight at www.studiofontana.com. You may purchase MP3 downloads of the album at www.moozikoo.com.

CD Review: Beyond From Within - Beyond From Within

Beyond From Within - Beyond From Within
2002, 2008, Steve Andrews

Beyond From Within (the band) is the living extension of the musical imagination of Steve Andrews.  He not only writes all of the material, but also plays all of the instruments and sings all of the vocals.  Beyond From Within (the album) is an interesting study in talent and creative tension.  The talent is abundant.  Andrews is at least a plus guitar player, drummer and keyboardist.  His voice is pleasant and works in the setting of his songs without really standing out.  The songs are enjoyable extensions of Andrews' muse, but suffer somewhat from a lack of creative tension that would come with additional band members. 

Songs like Sidewalk Songs, one of the best of the album, could soar with the right treatment, but don't quite reach the searing heights they are capable of.  Between The Rain is another strong contender, but suffers from the universality of style and sound from instrument to instrument.  It is very difficult for one artist to recreate the sort of creative tension that comes from multiple players with different styles playing together, but that spark would serve these songs very well.Steve Andrews is a talented musician and songwriter, and this may be the cornerstone to a long and storied career. 

Beyond From Within is full of interesting songs with significant potential.  It is a worthwhile listen on its own, and may be an interesting benchmark to have in your mind as Beyond From Within grows to the future. 

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5) 

You can learn more about Beyond From Within at www.beyondfromwithin.com.  You can purchase copies of the original 2002 release at www.cdbaby.com/steveandrews.  You can download the updated release through iTunes or Rhapsody.