Taylor Swift - Holiday Collection

The Country/Christmas CD by Taylor Swift starts off with a sweet, hopeful rendition of “Last Christmas,” crooned to a melodic mix of bells and guitar twangs.

She strikes that womanly chord that says, “It’s ok girl, I feel your pain,” and you sing along because, hey, it’s pretty good. However, the next song? Kind of “eh.” She tries at a sad Christmas song in “Christmases When You Were Mine,” but while each of her notes strikes right on key, she lacks the soul you feel behind all great singers. She could be singing about… anything. And it kind of goes down from there.

Her lovely voice is wasted on “Santa Baby.” I think we can all agree that the reason Eartha Kitt’s version was so coveted was because she purred the words and played the part so that we all laughed along. Taylor, on the other hand, sings it in all seriousness – still harmonically correct and with her signature twangy country sound.

Once again, she could be singing about her trip to the post office for all we could tell. The rest of the CD is, like the second song, just alright. But hey, the girl is seventeen. She’s got time.

By Alison Maney

Overview - Forty-Four Stone Tigers

Overview released their first EP, Forty-Four Stone Tigers, in March 2007. The entire thing is a coherent punk album that starts off with a bang in “Scorpion Woman”, intriguing the listener with catchy riffs and crooning vocals. I was drawn in from the first notes and immediate chorus; Overview takes no prisoners. Paul Miner (New Found Glory, Atreyu) has done a brilliant job mixing and mastering.

Clearly one of Overview’s major strengths is control over the progression of the tracks, as well as within each song. Frequently changing the pace and flow, the band holds the listener’s interest - I kept wondering how the song would change next. These songs are better written than the typical pop ballad or rock-out tune played on the radio, which tend to stick with one pace.

Lending its name to the album title, track three is an electronic mash-up that shows another side to Overview’s skills: mellow and reminiscent of Orbital’s self-titled cd of 1991, changing in instrumentation and speed. Not for long, as track four, “Maybe Dead at 27″ shifts right back up to high gear with a rocking chorus and energetic guitars. One of the great things about this album is that the vocals as well as the music stand alone - the listener gets to hear them work together as well as independently for emphasis. No two tracks are particularly similar and yet Overview pulls it all together just as their name indicates. We’ll be hearing more from these guys.

By Lara Killian

The Warriors - Genuine Sense of Outrage

For someone who isn’t into hardcore, screamo music, the first word that comes to mind when listening to The Warriors is intense. Screamo as a genre tends to sacrifice melody and easily distinguishable lyrics for the sake of the overall emotion, and The Warriors are no exception.

The album as a whole favors heavy, distorted electric guitar chords backed with drum beats as introductions. “Silence is Bliss” appears to stray from this format, opening with a different sound, but it slips back into more or less the same routine after just a few seconds. As someone who is not a hardcore screamo enthusiast, distinguishing one song from another is highly difficult.

One thing I can appreciate is the dedication of these musicians. They spend 300 days out of the year on tour. They are relentless at pursuing their craft, and if that craft is expressing anger to crowds of people, then they succeed. However, to the untrained ear, a better solution than a tour would be anger management classes.

Compared to other hardcore bands, The Warriors surprised me in that a few of their songs are actually peppered with real singing, melodies and all! They quickly revert back to the screaming, however, but the singing does not go unnoticed. In another accomplishment, this is the first screamo CD I ever listened to in its entirety, although I still have no idea why they’re so angry.

By Valerie Williams

Elliot Yamin - Holiday Collection

When Elliot was on American Idol, I didn’t really get why people voted for him. He seemed an average singer with bad teeth. However, in this CD his soulful voice is smooth as chocolate and – Ta Da! – his teeth are fixed.

His Motown mixed version of “This Christmas” is cute and homey, something you could imagine two older people slow dancing to. Same with “Little Drummer Boy”, and “Merry Christmas, Baby”. And pretty much all the songs after that.

Though these songs won’t make you jump out of your seat and carol along, they’re good fireside, cuddling songs. And Elliot gets a chance to show off, too. He sails through the songs, sounding impressive and silky soft. It’s an easy listen, calm and cool.

By Alison Maney

Mitch Gunz Interview

Stoli Razz Chills Out With His Homie Mitch Gunz  
By: Stoli Razz

Mitch Gunz is an emcee straight out of South Florida and the boy is the truth. He has been mastering his craft for years and his time is here. Stoli caught up with Mr. Gunz to see what’s really hood with him. Holla back!

Stoli: At what age did you know that you were destined to be in the hip hop game?

MG: I was about 13 when I new this was going to be my destiny.

Stoli: How did you come up with your name, Mitch Gunz?

MG: From my grandmother who is a well know psychiatrist! She conquered  barriers at a time when racism, and women were not recognized or allowed to perform to their highest potential by society. We always say in our family grandmom used her mental guns to accomplish her successes in life. She never let society or what was excepted in her time get her down!

Stoli: If there was one hip hop superstar that you admire & are inspired by whom would that be?

MG: That’s a hard question because I have more than one hip hop superstar that has inspired me and that I mad respect for but if I have to name one I would have to say that it is Jay-Z.

Stoli: Would you say that growing up in South Florida has helped you grow as an emcee?

MG: Yes! I have received support from South Florida in all aspects of my journey not only with music but I was afforded the chance to model for Sean John and have been shown Love by many DJ’s here! Shout out to 99 Jamz, Mike B, DJ Entice, and Waggy T who believe in my single “Never Get Me Down” and placed it in rotation on major radio.   

Stoli: You have been with D&L Ent for a minute now. What has helped you to work with D&L and have such success?

MG: To put simple the D&L has believed in Mitch Gunz from the beginning! The CEO Lady D has helped me with artist development and confidence! She will not allow any of the artist to perform at what is not their full potential. There was a time when I would not sing at all but she pushed me to use all the gifts that God gave me! Her motto is to use all your talents no matter what they are to make the artist well rounded. She says music is the compliment to life and believes that a well rounded artist can cross over to all genres of music and not be classified in to one category!     

Stoli: If there was one song in your catalog that best represents Mitch Gunz, what would that be?

MG: “Never Get Me Down”

Stoli: Where do you see yourself fitting in amongst the hip hop scene as a whole?

MG: I feel I will be among the best in the industry! I think my work ethics and my sound bring some positive flavor to the industry! I like doing what we call Feel Good Music or just talking about life situations such as turning anything negative that happens to you into a positive! I feel people need that right now! I just want people to know that faith and hope still exist I am proof of that!     

Stoli: What’s your favorite part of being an emcee in the spotlight?

MG: Just the reception from the fans! The fact that what I am writing about can identify with so many people. Also that what I am saying may possibly give people the strength to push through anything!  

Stoli: Would you say that now that you have found your slice of fame, its almost impossible to settle down with one shorty?

MG: HA HA HA! I think that the shorty I settle down with has to be secure with herself! The path I have chosen is a constant grind so there is not a lot of time to be still and in one place for long amounts of time!  

Stoli: What is your proudest accomplishment to date?

MG: I would have to say being placed in rotation on 99 Jamz!  

Stoli: What can the world look forward to from MItch Gunz in 2008?

MG: More hot feel good music! Promotional tours and acting. I would like to thank Skope Magazine for the constant support you guys been supporting me for a while now! Thanks to the fans and MySpace for the opportunity to be heard! I also got say thanks to MFN Entertainment the producers of the track and Vinny D for his crazy engineering skills and Josh Randall for jumpin on the hook with me! Big Ups to my management D&L Entertainment.  

Mitch Gunn Music Video

Tori Sparks - Under This Yellow Sun

A singer/songwriter with a guitar, Tori Sparks manages to avoid the misstep of sounding like every other coffeehouse-circuit singer. Her tight songwriting and playing, coupled with interesting arrangements and high production values make Under This Yellow Sun a contender for mainstream success.

Pedal steel and trumpet are but two of the instruments that add color to the album’s twelve tracks. The instrumentation never feels gratuitous, though; it always serves the needs and goals of the song at hand. The slinky opener, “Cold War” is more upbeat than the title might suggest. “Out of the Void” launches as a midtempo rocker but shifts gears quickly to a loping ballad, then back again. The shifts add a welcome texture not often found in this sort of music. The soulful “Under the Rug,” with its 3/4 beat, reminds of nothing so much as Emmylou Harris. “Most Alone” rocks out in a manner that non-rock fans can still enjoy; its stuttering underpinning deserves special mention. “Providence RI” evokes a late-night, end-of-set number, with a single dim spotlight on the vocalist and her guitar. The title track features an odd gunshot-style drumbeat that works well in the context. “Caged Bird” kicks off with a trumpet line and settles back into a smoky groove that will be enjoyed by fans of Bonnie Raitt.

Sparks seems to have approached the arrangement of each song on its own; while the album holds together as a collection, it’ wisely avoids the write-the-same-song-twelve-times approach favored by many young artists. Every track on Under This Yellow Sun sounds like Tori Sparks, but none of the songs sounds like another one. If there’s any criticism of the album, it’s in the disc’s lack of vocal harmonies. But Spark’s voice is strong enough to carry the day, and these are all her original compositions, so she has earned the right to arrange the songs her way.

In sum, this is a varied album well worth a listen. And be sure to check out the intriguing video of “Cold War,” included on the CD and featuring plenty of shots of the lovely and talented Ms. Sparks.

By Bill Kopp

Through the Wilderness - A Tribute to Madonna

Madonna is endlessly fascinating as a video artist, performer, and personality, but—with rare exceptions—her music has never held up beyond the dance floor and TV. So what happens when better musicians take on her facile melodies and vapid lyrics? On Through the Wilderness, fifteen Madonna songs are interpreted in varied styles, with mixed results.

“Cherish” would be dreadful no matter who sang it; the Prayers’ version is as unlistenable as Madonna’s original. Ditto “Who’s That Girl,” performed here by the Bubonic Plague. Attempts to be interesting fail in Mountain Party’s electronica “Material Girl” and in Lion of Panjshir’s tabla-heavy, off-key rendition of “Crazy for You”; nice try, guys, but these songs don’t have enough depth for what you’re trying to do. Apollo Heights’ rocked-up “Dress You Up” would have been good if not for the silly lyrics.

In “Oh Father” (Giant Drag) and “Hung Up” (the Tyde), though, intriguing vocals and guitars make up for lousy lyrics. “Lucky Star” shines with Alexandra Hope’s crystalline voice and acoustic guitar. Lavender Diamond’s “Like a Prayer” and Winter Flowers’ “Live to Tell” succeed on their own while also inspiring (grudging) appreciation of Madonna’s versions. And Golden Animals does a fun “Beautiful Stranger Blues.” These songs salvage the CD. Twenty-five percent of its net proceeds will go to Raising Malawi, Madonna’s organization for helping children in the African country.

By Nita Moon

« Previous Page