MUSIC: Say I Am You (2005)

Say I Am You
2005
The Weepies

Like folk? You’ll like The Weepies. Say I Am You is their second album, following their first independent release Happiness (which contains the very beautiful Somebody Loved) and it is a pretty darn good collection of songs.

The album opens with three strong tracks. Very folk, very catchy. Gotta Have You is a particularly wonderful bittersweet folkish-popish song. I have to say that I’m fonder of Deb Talan’s tracks than Steve Tannen’s (like Riga Girl or Suicide Blonde).

Tracks like Painting by Chagall and Not Your Year have a tune that’s easier to appreciate. The melodies are charming to sway or sing to and Deb Talan’s voice is interesting.

I think The Weepies is a pretty strong folk band and they do manage to produce five or six songs that are likeable which safely keep them out of the self-indulgent music category. I like them.

FINAL RATING:
[3.5] out of [5]

MUSIC: This is the One (2009)

2009
UTADA

I can immediately say one thing: this might be the one.

The undeniably famous Utada Hikaru boldly ventures once more as Utada and it seems like she means it this time. This is the One sounds completely different from Exodus and for that matter, it almost sounds nothing like the JPop artist Hikki.

Of course, the album does feel familiar. The first track, On and On, sets the mood of the album the way We Fight the Blues eases you into the Heart Station. The difference, however, can be seen in the entire production. Utada is very American RnB with lyrics to match.

While Hikki sings about staying gold and celebrating, Utada is kind of flirty and bold. Perhaps Utada Hikaru realized that there is little connection with the audience if she keeps singing songs like Kremlin Dusk.

Tracks like Devil Inside have been replaced with the likes of Apple and Cinnamon. The beats are simpler (but not dumb and repetitive) and the lyrics are definitely catchier.

Automatic Part II immediately caught my attention mostly because I wanted to see how different it was from the unofficial part I. Utada clearly wants to set herself apart. She even immediately follows it with Dirty Desire and Poppin‘ to drill the idea into your head.

There is a lot of effort in this album and while Exodus has been criticized as self-indulgent, I feel the urge to call this album almost superficial. But it is an album that is aiming for the mainstream. It is pop and it is superficial. If I were to judge it as that, it succeeds. It is a good record. Fun to listen to.

With proper promotion, this album will go places Exodus couldn’t.

FINAL RATING:
[4] out of [5]

SPECIAL – Paramore

Artist: PARAMORE
Albums:
All We Know is Falling (2005)
RIOT! (2007)
More Information:OFFICIAL WEBSITE
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Upbeat, surprisingly positive, loud but not angry or whiny. They’re young and proving that young does not equate to stupid or green.

Admittedly, their debut album All We Know is Falling sounds less polished or perhaps less produced but it is a great album. They avoid being whiny and generic or perhaps I’m completely blinded by how catchy their songs are. Songs to keep an ear out are Let This Go, My Heart, and my personal favorite, Here We Go Again. All We Know is Falling shows off the potential the band has in terms of their music and lyrics.

RIOT! on the other hand, is better produced and the band has found comfort in their sound. It beats All We Know is Falling in terms of catchy-ness. Their hit singles Misery Business and Crush Crush Crush are the rather weak songs of the album containing too much pop and too little depth. However, all the songs eleven songs are a pleasure to listen to. Assuming you’re not initially antagonistic of this generation’s punk bands, you’ll find yourself quite amused as you listen to That’s What You Get, When it Rains and Miracle.

They are of course, not without fault. They’re young and they have so much room to grow. Right now, they’re amusing to look at because of all the potential they are showing off.

The fun part of listening to Paramore is a sense of knowing that these kids are having fun. That kind of thing is contagious.

Check them out!
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See them here:
Paramore @ LJ
Paramore @ MySpace

SPECIAL: Juno + Soundtracks

Juno
2007
Direction: Reitman, J.
Screenplay: Cody, D.

quickie:
You really should have heard about this movie by now…

general impression:
Impressive

lows:
It’s happy?

highs:
Amazing characterization, pro-choice theme, people supporting people, dynamic relationships

notes:
I didn’t even hear of Juno until everyone else had watched it. Yes, I don’t have a lot of friends. Anyway, there was a copy of it lying on the coffee table so I figured I’d check it out.

To this day, I’m amazed that Ellen Page didn’t win Best Actress. Juno MacGuff is probably one of the most memorable characters in recent cinema history. I don’t care what other people say, Juno is a thought out, well written character. Fleshed out really well too. Actually, everyone in the movie was.

What I love most about Juno (the movie) is that I find myself caring about the characters more than the situation. They feel like people.

Some people have said that the movie is a little too positive, too sweet or too unrealistic but I disagree. I think that the characters were motivated enough towards the actions they took.

I don’t what more to say because a lot has already been said about this movie. It’s just really, really good story.

FINAL RATING:
[5] out of [5]

Juno Soundtrack
Juno B-Sides: Almost Adopted Songs

The Juno soundtracks are a perfect complement to Juno quirky nature. Much like the movie, the soundtrack is simple albeit odd yet catchy. Kimya Dawson and her former band Moldy Peaches (plus a few Antsy Pants) make up most of the track so if you’re not a big fan of her style, then the songs won’t stick to your head. As for me, I found it hard not to sing a long with lines like “And if you want to kill yourself, remember that I love you”

Velvet Underground’s I’m Sticking with You might push people to look them up (if they don’t know them yet…). Kimya Dawson’s Loose Lips is also one of the more interesting songs in the album. There’s also a voiceless track of her song Rollercoaster which I always find myself humming along to. Sonic Youth’s cover of Superstar is a must hear.

The B-sides isn’t as happy-fun-interesting as the main soundtrack but the first two tracks (Me & You and My Wandering Days) are great enough to make it iPod worthy. B-sides also include Kimya Dawson’s version of All I Want Is You which might interest some.

FINAL RATING:
[4] out of [5]

SPECIAL: Vienna Teng

Waking Hour 2002
Warm Strangers 2004
Dreaming Through the Noise 2006

I never get tired of listening to Vienna Teng. Her music is passionate and dynamic, her lyrics are deep bordering on eccentric and she does not appear in MTV. This makes her very, very cool.

Her second album, Warm Strangers, is her weakest effort yet and even that is great. With songs like Feather Moon, Harbor and Mission Street coupled with an almost creepy song like Passage, the album is more than just good. The songs with the names in them (Anna Rose, Shasta’s Song and Carrie’s Song) drag the album down a bit but I can always skip those.

Warm Strangers only seems weak because Waking Hour was brimming with talent and potential for greater things was in the air.

Tower opens the album with prominent piano and drumbeats creating an almost haunting melody. The music in the songs just flows so well. Momentum and Gravity exploit my love for the applicability of physics theory to people. The lyrics are beautiful and the music wraps around them so elegantly.

Although I’m not a mother and don’t plan to be, the song Daughter gets to me. Vienna Teng’s soothing voice and the piano plus words about changes in a relationship makes me feel kinda weird in the best sense of the word. Say Uncle, a song about the passing of a relative, captures the suddenness and the melancholy that comes with such events without relying too much on grieving music.

Unwritten Letter No. 1 brings in a different pace to the album, not to mention a quirky song about unrequited love. Again, it dodges the cliché of sad melodies for sad events. Instead, Vienna Teng uses a fast, Tango-ish beat to evoke a feeling of neediness. At least, that’s how I see it.

The highlight of this album is definitely Eric’s Song. Her words make my heart flutter.

Fortunately, her third album Dreaming Through the Noise recaptures the depth of her first effort. The opening track, Blue Caravan, is reminiscent of Tower but with a noticeably wider range of instruments.

The arrangements of all her songs are, for me, incredible. I particularly love the violins and the violas because, frankly, you don’t hear them very often. Of course, piano-driven melodies are still strong in the album, proven by the exceptionally brilliant Nothing Without You.

I’m not entirely certain that people will be able to relate to the songs in this album because by the second track, Vienna Teng is singing about… uhm, what seems to be a corporate scandal. For me though, it’s interesting to listen to the (corny as it may sound) feelings within the song rather than the words. City Hall always cheers me up even though I don’t plan on getting married.

Pontchartrain is a bit on the creepy side, so I more often than not skip the track altogether.

Now, just when I thought Eric’s Song was beautiful, Vienna Teng sings Recessional. The song actually moved me to tears. I don’t know if that’s an embarrassing thing to admit but it’s just so-darn sweet. And the violas, ah the violas.

Vienna Teng is truly one of the most talented musicians of this generation. I highly recommend that you give her a try.

FINAL RATING:
[5] out of [5]

MUSIC – One Cell in the Sea (2007)

One Cell in the Sea
Artist: A Fine Frenzy
Released: 2007 (by Virgin)
Length: 61:44
Track listing:
1. Come On, Come Out
2. The Minnow & the Trout
3. Whisper
4. You Picked Me
5. Rangers
6. Almost Lover
7. Think of You
8. Ashes and Wine
9. Liar, Liar
10. Last of Days
11. Lifesize
12. Near to You
13. Hope for the Hopeless
14. Borrowed Time
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I like these pop albums which show that pop doesn’t have to be mind-numbing. With rather touching lyrics and delicate music, One Cell in the Sea will easily win the hearts of people who enjoy light, melancholy songs. Like I do.

Think a more adult Vanessa Carlton or perhaps a less pop-electronic Dido. A Fine Frenzy’s music is a bit pop-folk with a prominent piano in the background. Possibly one of those CDs you pop in your car while driving. Or perhaps something you listen to while walking around, thinking about life in general. It provides a quiet, a bit sad atmosphere.

Its single, Almost Lover, is quite stunning. Alison Sudol’s voice is soothing and flows well with the piano. This song serves as a sort of formula for the rest of the album so I reckon that if you enjoyed Almost Lover, you’ll probably like her other songs. The quality of the lyrics may be debatable but as for me, it’s pretty decent. Not exactly groundbreaking or extraordinarily poignant but still within the realm of interesting.

For a bit of piano pop, try One Cell in the Sea by A Fine Frenzy.
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Her Official Website: http://www.afinefrenzy.com/

SPECIAL – Camera Obscura

Artist: CAMERA OBSCURA
Albums:
Underachievers Please Try Harder (2004)
Let’s Get Out of This Country (2006)
Genre: INDIE POP
For More Information: OFFICIAL WEBSITE
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I first heard Camera Obscura while watching one of the best movies in the world, Imagine Me and You. The song Suspended from Class quickly wormed its way into my heart and after months (which had turned into a year) of putting it off, I finally decided to check their albums out. And I’m glad I did.

The album from which Suspended from Class hails is entitled Underachievers Please Try Harder. It’s mild, easy, relaxing and delightful to listen to. The music reminds me of lazy Sunday afternoons and the vocals would be either the warm cup of tea or the cold bottle of beer (whichever eases you most). I suppose the songs do border on the melancholy but if you’re like me, this would be a good thing.

Their latest album Let’s Get Out of This Country, released 2006, opens with the song Lloyd, I’m ready to be Heartbroken (an answer to the song Are You Ready to be Heartbroken? by Lloyd Cole). It maintains the soothing beats and vocals of the previous album and the formula wins my heart again.

Definitely worth checking out if you enjoy soft vocals with a light touch of guitars and harmonicas.