CD Review: Slow Club – Yeah, So

On Mar. 30, The English Duo, Slow Club, will be releasing their first full-length album, Yeah, So on Moshi-Moshi Records. With folk-rock and almost blue-grass musical arrangements, this selection of tracks showcases a unique take on a rock’n’roll duo.

The overall sound of Slow Club is characterized by a brilliant simplicity that focuses on basic rhythms and beats coupled by unusual love-filled lyrics.

The unconventional love story of “When I Go” makes a perfect introduction to the album. With bottle caps substituting as percussions, this track combines sweet lyrics and old-fashion acoustic guitar with a new-age message on friendship and love.

Filled with a wonderful selection of intoxicated tracks such as “Giving up on Love” and conversationally arranged “Because we’re Dead” this album rallies your heart and feet to spin in circles and sway your arms in the air to the beat of its whimsical tunes.

The overall declaration of the messiness of love shines bright on this album and takes on an electrifying tone in the song, “It Doesn’t Have to be Beautiful.” The fast-paced lyrics “because there’s nothing worse than somebody pretending away” fly off the tongues of the singing duo and take an honest look on how un-Hollywood real life relationships are.

Almost as perfectly coupled as the harmonizing vocals of singers Charles Watson and Rebecca Taylor, Yeah, So compliments its cutesy and upbeat numbers with a illuminating selection of melancholy tunes suited for any love affair.

Slowing down the arrangement of “I Was Unconscious, It Was a Dream” to a humble arrangement allows the listener to take in the innocence of what makes this group gleam.

A slow and soft acoustic guitar is all that accompanies the vocals until a loud electric guitar and sparingly used percussion breaks through the track. An overall favorite of mine from the album, “I Was Unconscious, It Was a Dream” takes an almost raw approach to the ballad and lures you into the bold lyrics.

Complete with a collection of five bonus track including “Christmas TV” which was used in the season 2 finale of NBC’s Chuck. Yeah, So finds an simplicity in the luster of the honest lyrics and basic instrumentations. The understated sound of this album would be a gem in any CD collection.

For a free download of their song “It Doesn’t Have to be Beautiful” visit  www.shadylittleroad.com - Your online source for music reviews

Switchfoot – Hello Hurricane Tour

There have been many bands that have dared to play an album from start to finish; however, none of them have been fearless enough to use the album as an opening act for a full-length show. On Nov. 17 Dallas fans were amazed as California-based Switchfoot opened and then closed The House of Blues.

Storming the stage, Switchfoot showcased their latest offering, Hello Hurricane. Despite having only been out for a week the crowd sang along loudly with each song as if they were olf-time favorites. The presentation included the band’s lead single, “Mess of Me” which had the crowd chanting.

The highlight of the Hello Hurricane portion of the evening began when Foreman asked the crowd if they knew the connection his mother had with Led Zeppelin. Forman then explained how both of his parents influenced him musically. His father taught him to play Zeppelin songs on the guitar, and his mother had him take piano lessons. After revealing this pice of his past, the room dimmed and the spotlight lit up Foreman as he began the slow and smooth piano piece that leads the way into the beautiful and emotional “Always.”

At the end of their opening set, Foreman announced that their next song will be based on whatever the audience begins to sing. Moments later the audience fills the room with the lyrics to “Oh Gravity,” and the band returns to the stage with smiles and enough energy to continue their headlining act. The evening progressed into a string of Switchfoot hits from “Dare you to Move,” “Meant to Live,” and “Stars.”

The night ended with an encore that featured specially picked songs including a glimpse of “Beautiful Let Down” and “Gone.” Overall, an evening with Switchfoot was two hours of entertainment that will not be forgotten

Rufus Wainwright entertains Fort Worth

Grammy-nominated Rufus Wainwright took the stage at the decorous Bass Performance Hall in downtown Fort Worth Nov. 12 to a virtually sold out performance. Fans of all ages filled the seats for an evening celebrating the most creative parts of the human spirit.

Wainwright spent the evening effortlessly transitioning from piano to guitar while engaging the crowd with not only his music, but a wide variety of stories, football updates and of course, thoughts of how pretty the boys in Texas are. His unique performance created a mixture that relaxed and engaged the hall, allowing us to slip into a state of fanciful meditation.

Highlights of the evening included an announcement that the finishing touches have been made on his latest offering, which Wainright sarcastically proclaimed to be “huge.” The future album will mirror his performance of the evening of just him and the piano.

Following his announcement, Wainwright introduced a preview of his future album, which showcases some of the most complex piano pieces the artist has ever created. The first song “Give me What I Want, and Give it to me now,” leaped into a fast pace, and the multifaceted piano parts were accompanied by smooth and rich vocals. The second song, “Sonnet 20,” which was written for a theater in Berlin, Germany, utilize the lyrics of Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 20″ and a soulful piano part.

By the end of the evening, the crowd soared on the excitement of Wainwright’s old favorites, such as “Vibrate” as well as other new songs, which gave a glimpse of the feeling on the new record. The compellation of songs as well as Wainwright’s seamless and unpretentious stage presence made for a wonderful evening that will not be forgotten

Photo Credit-Alex Lake

Flyleaf – Memento Mori

It has been a journey since Texas-based rock band Flyleaf. With nearly a decade of touring, 1,296,700 albums sold and a life of 155 weeks on Billboard charts, this band shot straight for the stars and never turned back.

It has been more than four years since Flyleaf released its self-titled debut album. The album influenced many lives, and I am not the exception. Involving myself with a review is not something I do often, but I think this is a day to play homage to all that Flyleaf has done in my life. Their music played a big part in saving my life, and has opened my eyes to love, forgiveness and grace. When my heart was broken, the lyrics of Flyleaf sang to it while addressing my darkest fears.

Once announced, the sophomore album of Flyleaf entitled Memento Mori became one of the most anticipated and slightly delayed albums of the year. The title, a Latin phrase, which calls for people to remember their mortality, and is a perfect fit for this albums messagge. The urgency found in the debut album of Flyleaf is slightly toned down in Momento Mori’s tone, but once you dive into the lyrics you will find a whole new level of urgency.

The album bursts to life with “Beautiful Bride.” The track contains driving and forceful beats that perfectly capture what Flyleaf has been known for. While the song may not fit entirely with the Memento Mori phrase, the anthem that is just for us, the bride, is beautiful in its own.

Tracks such as “In The Dark,” “Break Your Knees” and “Chasm” hint at the styling we have grown to love from Flyleaf. “Chasm,” a personal favorite, set my heart on fire as I fell into the lyrics and meaning of this song. Based on a story in the Bible (Luke 16:22-31) the song warns that “The Chasm isn’t fixed yet,” and ties in with the reminder to remember our mortality.

“Set Apart This Dream,” an anthem for girls across the world, is said to be based on the book “Wild At Heart” according to lead singer Lacey Sturm; however, I believe it is most likely based on the sequel “Captivating” by John Eldredge and his wife Stasi. The song is a beautiful decree to women and girls to remember that they have been set apart. While the beats are less driving and more melodic the song still packs a powerful message.

The climax for the album shines in the 8th track “Swept Away.” The song starts off hard and ends hard. The lyrics “Evil fell from your pretty mouth, wrapped in your classic voice” are tough and in your face, and they truly showcase the maturity of the band.

Love song, “Treasure” starts out slowly and then builds as the song progresses. The song was written after lead singer Lacey Sturm was proposed to by husband Joshua, and the emotions she felt at that moment. The beauty of the lyrics speaks highly to their love, “Refined I’ll become the most dazzling precious treasure.”

Overall, Memento Mori is a wonderfully pieced together album that weaves a coherent and beautiful story. The album leaves the listener with the sense that all things have an ending, and that while we are fortunate enough to have time now, we must constantly be mindful of our mortality.

Eisley – The Fire Kite EP

Artist: Eisley
Title: The Fire Kite EP
Album Length: 4 Tracks
Release Date: 2009.10.13

Their fall tour with indie-band Say Anything has come to an end, but Tyler, Texas native rock-band Eisley continues to leave their fans in anticipation for their soon to be released album thanks to the tour-exclusive EP Fire Kite.

“We’re defiantly Southerners,” rhythm guitarist Sherri DuPree said, “We grew up listening to country music.”

Small city roots and an eclectic taste of music set the foundation for the unique styling of Eisley, who’s last studio album Combinations, was declared one of the best albums of the year by MSNBC.

Following the success of Combinations, The Fire Kite EP performs a solid offering of catchy and upbeat tracks including “Away We Go” a garage band track that was recorded several years ago.

“Ambulance,” a song written about the divorce of Sherri Dupree and Chad Gilbert of American rock-band New Found Glory, touches on the subject from little sister and band-mate Stacy DuPree.

“ She was able to see through my eyes, the pain I was going through,” Sherri Dupree said, “and she wrote this amazing song… I can barely listen to it without crying.”

Instrumentally, “Ambulance” is a stripped-down showcase of Eisley’s sound and talent. With a melancholy piano piece and strings that give way to an increased volume during the chorus, “Ambulance” takes you on an emotional journey of pain, regret and the need for healing.

For a taste of what is to come on the bands upcoming album, “192 Days” fills your ears with its coffee house acoustic feel. The simplicity of the instruments and lyrics tell a complex story of love, and how we can wrap ourselves in it while finding comfort and protection. “192 Days” is a delightful track and does an amazing job rounding the end of The Fire Kite EP.

For more info on Eisley, please visit http://www.eisley.com/ or www.myspace.com/eisley.