Pitbull, The Boatlift
July 2, 2008
Musicians often find it difficult and maybe even tedious classifying their music into a particular genre. Pitbull, the artist who professes he’s “Too Latin for hip-hop/too hip-hop for Latins,” is no exception. The Cuban-American rapper defies genre defining boundaries on his latest album, The Boatlift.
“Go Girl” featuring Trina and Young Bo$$ is a catchy song with a hot club sound. It’s a solid piece that doesn’t need a remix to hold its own as a dance track. “Dukey Love” on the other hand is a less than enjoyable song that is three minutes and 46 seconds of non-stop rear-end admiration. Needless to say the track grows old rather quickly. Luckily, Pitbull isn’t a one trick pony. His softer side is prevalent on “Secret Admirer” and his Latin roots unearth themselves on tracks like “Get Up/Levantate,” which asks, “if you didn’t come to dance then what did you come for?” The upbeat, clap infused track will make you want to get up and, well, dance.
All in all The Boatlift is a fairly well rounded album as there’s a little something for everyone. Having said that, featuring so many guests on one album simultaneously promotes and hinders Pitbull’s seeming intentions. Collaborations can be great. In fact, some of the world’s best music has stemmed from innovative collaborations, but when an album is comprised almost entirely of musical unions it becomes distracting and at times can make you forget whose album you’re listening to. While I can appreciate the wide spectrum of music produced on The Boatlift it feels as though sharing the spotlight with so many guests inhibits Pitbull from showing people what he has to offer all on his own.
Review By: Esperanza Juarez
Rating: 
Brandie Frampton, What U See
June 28, 2008
Brandie Frampton comes out swinging on this wonderful country/pop album that she entitled, ‘What U See.’ The packaging of the CD comes with a DVD with two of her videos from the album. I was very impressed with that. If you did not know it, you would think Brandie was backed by a major.
Coming from Utah, Brandie has the total package in an artist. She has a great voice, she is cute & pretty, and has the drive to succeed in this business. She is still young but I feel that will only work to her advantage. After listening to the CD you can see that you would not mind your son or daughter listening to this music. Brandie displays a very real and positive message through her songwriting.
New Music Weekly called Brandie their, Crossover Artist Of The Year. The industry is seeing her not only as a country star but a pop / mainstream artist as well. This CD is at the top of recording quality. You can tell that Brandie and her team invested in her sound and I say that it paid off.
My favorite track on this CD was the first one, “Ain’t That Life.” If this song is not a hit, I am at a loss. Everything about this track is right on for any genre. Another favorite of mine is, “Dreams.” This song has a great hook and Brandie’s versatility really stands out strong on this one.
For such a young woman Brandi’s songwriting is beyond her years. All of her songs are personal and you can hear truth. A favorite of mine in this regard is, “Day By Day.” I think Brandi is talking about how although we are all different we are the same too. I also enjoyed, “Butterfly Tattoo” which deals with a young girl turning into a woman. You could tell that Brandie is no stranger to that topic.
By the time the last track on this CD was over, I could not help but start it again. I may not listen to country alot but when I do this is exactly what I want to hear. I am expecting alot more from Brandie Frampton, she is the real deal.
Review By: Mikey Frieds
[Rating 4/5]
Reed Waddle, Piece By Piece
June 24, 2008
You know I used to say that John Mayer sounded like Dave Matthews. Then I listened to Reed Waddle and I think he can sound alittle like John Mayer. I assure you though that those comparisons are not bad at all. Look at how things turned out for John Mayer and Dave Matthews.
What a pleasure to be asked to review this new CD by Reed Waddle called, ‘Piece By Piece.’ Reed is a student of music and he clearly understands how to write a song for the radio & the masses. Reed shows that the independent scene has music that can hold it’s own against some major label artists.
This CD starts out with a smash called, “The Beast Within.” This is the finest track that I have heard in a while and when I get home I will be adding it to my ZUNE playlist. This is the kind of song that you listen to and get excited about it.
Reed was born and raised in Destin, FL. He attended the University of Florida and that is where he saw just how effective his music is. He had sororities, fraternities, label execs, and fans flocking to come see him in Gainesville, the home of the Gators.
I must sound like I am gushing here but I love this CD. It’s funny because the packaging is nothing fancy. Just a nice CD sleeve with Reed pictured on it. The music does all the talking.
The sound quality is perfect on this album. My favorite track that sounds just amazing is “My Honeycomb (El Camino).” This song is sexy and has alot of soul in it.
If I were a program director I would have a field day with this album. First off, track 1, “The Beast Within” is a hit, no doubt about it. Also track 5, “Good Night Los Angeles” is a great track. Reed worked with John Oates on this one. This song is personal but has such a groove that you have to move. I would love to hear this live.
Reed Waddle is the real deal. He understands how to create, write, and construct a hit tune. I love his writing on track 6, “Love Ain’t Always On Time.” A very real and smart song. Reed wrote every song on this album, which is awesome.
This CD is going from my office here in Boston to my car’s CD player. I think I have found my soundtrack to the summer of 2008.
Review By: Mikey Frieds
Rating:
Rahway - Snitches Get Stitches
June 23, 2008
Okay, lets get right to it with the obvious. This New Jersey band thought it appropriate to have two hot schoolgirls making out in a school bathroom. One of the women is on top of the other and they are lip-locked for sure. Okay cool, that is good for me. I am officially interested to have a listen.
Rahway is a rock/metal band out of Rahway, NJ. These four friends from Jersey have been playing together for many years. Growing up they watched and learned from Bon Jovi who as we know went on to conquer the world with music.
This album is called, ‘Snitches Get Stitches’ which I think is perfect because this music can move anyone to just want to kick some ass.
These are 14 tracks of in your face rock! The lead singer is a rocker by the name of Steve “King” Visconti. His vocals are right on. His vocals are such that he knows exactly how to get his voice to sound perfect against the rough & loud instrumental background.
The sound quality is great on this CD. This is the bands debut indie album release on their label, Deadeye Records. One song that is bound to stand out on this album is “Coke Whore.” I was so taken back by this track and how real it is, that I am naming this track my favorite in regards to songwriting. The chorus goes alittle like this, “She’s my little whore, she’s my little coke whore.” This song kicks major ass!
When Rahway was recording this album, they wanted to show the music world that they could make an album not with 3-4 good singles but 14 awesome tunes. I think that they did a bit of both. My favorite track on the CD is track 3, “Highway.” This song really shows Rahway on all levels. I love the hook and the whole bands shines on this track. Another track of note is “Broken Disease”, I enjoyed the guitar solo as well very much.
I will now consider myself a Rahway fan. Four bad-asses from Jersey putting out music that pulls no punches and represents what they are going through. The hot chicks kissing on the album cover art does not hurt either.
Review By: Mikey Frieds
Rating:
MYMUSICSITE.COM: RINGTONE SERVICE FOR INDIE ARTISTS
June 20, 2008
New music site MyMusicSite.com is setting a new standard for user generated mobile content. As part of its new service, My Music Site is providing an editable ringtone service that can be used in connection with the music offered on its site. The editable ringtone feature allows users to create unique, personalized ringtones from the independent artist content available on the My Music Site. This service gives fans of the independent artists who use the My Music Site service a new way to connect and interact with the band/artist by creating personalized ringtones. Each time the ringtone plays it will be an opportunity to promote the band/artist.
The service is similar to what Apple offers on iTunes for the iPhone but with one major difference. The My Music Site service supports over 900 phones on over 100 carriers while the Apple service only works for one phone, the iPhone. My Music Site has partnered with FasPay Mobile Technologies to offer the editable ringtone service. The FasPay mobile content management system allows My Music Site to offer real time user generated mobile content services to their independent artist clients.
Designed to provide the independent artist with a vehicle through which to sell their own music, My Music Site affords musicians the opportunity to sell individual songs, albums, production tracks and even ringtones of their original music. Set up in a social-networking-like environment, the company also provides a platform that enables these artists to market, promote and obtain worldwide visibility for their music with just the click of a mouse. Artists and producers who are seeking to independently showcase their music as well as music lovers who wish to sample tomorrow’s tomorrows hits today can do so online at http://www.MyMusicSite.com.
“We are pleased to be working with My Music Site to offer editable ringtones services.” Says Charles Sidles of FasPay Mobile Technologies Inc. “The fan base of the independent artist’s who use the site should find the editable ringtone feature a fun new way to experience and enjoy the music they love.”
Independent-minded musicians, music producers and music lovers who would like to maintain control over their music selling and buying experiences will find the global venue to do so online at http://www.MyMusicSite.com.
About FasPay Mobile Technologies Inc. – FasPay is a leading provider of mobile content management systems and mobile entertainment content services and applications. The company is an industry leader in the development of user generated mobile content systems and real time content conversion of digital to mobile.
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Jason J Bundy, Returning
June 20, 2008
This next CD, I was very curious about. First of all was the fact that the packaging was simply the jewel case and one sheet with the CD cover art. The cover art looks like rows of black paint across a blank canvas. I then opened up the CD and saw that there were only 4 songs. I immediately though this was an EP.
Wow, was I wrong. The CD comes in at 59 minutes in length. All the songs range from 10 minutes to about 19 minutes in length. I must say that the man behind this album, Jason J Bundy intrigued me.
I began to research Jason and I saw that he was at a crossroads in his life when he started to create this album. Jason was living in Florida for 10 years when he decided to move back to his home state of NY. He was going through a rough time when he discovered a Chinese book, ‘I Ching.’ The album title, ‘Returning’ refers to the 24th hexagram of the I Ching. The hexagram is also represented on the cover art.
So lets be very honest here. Will Jason have a top 40 mainstream hit with this CD? Probably not. But what Jason does have is a CD that represents him and his vision for the music that he creates. Jason shows that there is something to be said about the musician that creates music for themselves and not the masses.
If you are a music enthusiast that likes to listen to the rare and obscure you will enjoy this CD. I had this CD on as I was drinking and that put me in the right space to understand where Jason was coming from. You can truly respect Jason as a true artist.
Review By: Mikey Frieds
Rating:
THRIVING IVORY, THRIVING IVORY
June 20, 2008
The five-piece San Fran band has a unique sound, mainly due to singer Clayton Stroope’s vocals, that resemble Geddy Lee (Rush) with a Marc Bolan (T-Rex) inflection. The group’s overall sound has a Matchbox 20/Maroon 5 vibe. The single Angels On The Moon is a melodic ballad that you could imagine on a romantic movie soundtrack, as does Light Up Mississippi, a ballad that changes speed. Hey Lady and Overrated fit much of the same profile. Honestly, there are a lot of other bands that could borrow one of these selections to mellow out their set lists.
The structure of the CD is dependent on the string arrangements, which are well done. The Los Angeles Symphony loaned their talents to the disc on Hey Lady. Long Hallway With A Broken Light is paced faster with a heavier guitar backdrop. The heavier sounding guitar use continues on the upbeat ballad For Heaven’s Sake. Lyrically, the guys have a leg up on most of the competition, avoiding the standard rhyming cliché phrasing. Keyboardist Scott Jason is a driving force, as keys play a major part throughout.
TI is definitely unique, and easy to follow. If you listen to this disc, you can probably name other bands that would get away with sounding good doing one or more of the tunes.
Review By: RME
Rating:
JOHN 5, REQUIEM
June 20, 2008
John 5 is definitely a different breed of cat. Gaining notoriety from his stint with Marilyn Manson and most recently Rob Zombie is a guitar force to acknowledge. J5 who is a very unimposing person close up mixes metal with hair band style shredding, and is effective doing it. This release is a bit different than most instrumental offerings I get. The structure on Sounds Of Impalement is interesting as well as catchy. Noisemaker’s Fife is a neat picking tune featuring a haunting seaside backdrop that goes into a full heavy-metal jacket. Pity Belt is a cross between rockabilly and R&B, and The Judas Cradle mixes spooky music with clever fret work. Pear Anguish is pickin’ and grinnin’ at it’s best. The Lead Sprinkler is a full out metal thing. Scavenger’s Daughter starts out like a soft lullaby, and of course finds itself with Pedal to the Metal. The title song Requiem sounds like it was written for a Wes Craven soundtrack.
J5 must have a hard time assembling songs for an album. On this release, he proves that he can definitely play any style of music, and sometimes three or four of them in one song. Definitely a music lesson for all of you would be shredders out there. Learn some finger picking, some rockabilly, and some flamenco, and maybe you too can end up with a career in metal!
Review By: RME
Rating:
Julian Sakata, See?
June 18, 2008
I am trying to do one review per day. I think that life is alot better when you are constantly being introduced to new music & artists. It is great to write for Skope where new music flows like an oil well.
Julian Sakata is a man on a mission. Julian understands just how hard it can be to break from obscurity into getting known but that does not hold him back. After listening to his new CD, ‘See’, you can tell that he has alot on his mind and he wants to get it out.
The melody on much of this CD is mellow. The tracks flow from one to the next and Julian takes the listener into a trance where all you hear is his voice and his emotions.
First off is the album cover art. If you look close enough you will see a farmer across the river with the bridge destroyed, on fire, and under water. Across the river is a lamb looking over at him with a smile on his face. Also in the water it looks like a wolf ready to eat dinner. Whether the wolf will eat the lamb or farmer is up in the air. Maybe a twisted version of “Mary Had A Little Lamb?”
The music on the other hand is another story. If you can sit down, chill out, and give Julian the time you will enjoy this CD. This is not your average pop CD but I do not think Julian wanted that. The sound of the CD is clear and high quality. There are two tracks on the CD that I loved. That is “Little Sun” and “Suffer The Young.” Both tracks display Julian’s vocal ability and the instrumentals are super especially the piano.
As I said earlier, the CD is deep. The songwriting is from a musician that lives life full of emotions. My favorite track that shows his way lyrically is, “No Good Bye.” If you are going through a break-up this is your anthem until you get back on your feet.
Like beer for the first time, this CD is an acquired taste. The more sips you take the more you will enjoy it. A solid album by Julian Sakata!
Review By: Mikey Frieds
Rating:
People In Planes, Beyond The Horizon
June 18, 2008
I have to admit that this is one release I’ve been waiting for. The Welsh boys PIP has been one of the few nice surprises in the past few years, in an industry concentrating on mediocrity. I’ve interviewed and seen them live, and they more than hold their end of the musical bargain. PIP aficionados have pre-warned me that I’ll like this release even better than the previous debut disc As Far As The Eye Can See, so here it is on the CD player and me at the keyboard: Showdown Time!
Where do these guys get off hitting you with a great first track, and then a completely different second track, equally as good? Gareth Jones vocals have the lasting qualities required for this industry, and Peter Roberts’s guitar work and effects are a blessing to rock ruined ears. John Maloney’s drumming is also fittingly artistic. I’m at an advantage having an advance copy, but at a slight disadvantage in not having a track list. You know what, It really doesn’t matter. I’m listening to this thing track by track, and they all have their own uniqueness, and stand on their own merit.
Whether they take a lyrically creative piece and slow it down to a ballad, speed it up to overdrive, play it jerky with “Offbeats”, its all-good stuff. PIP takes up where Incubus left you standing, wondering what happened, and Blue October gave you hope once again for Music kind. This is definitely the best release I’ve heard this year! This is definitely a “Must have” thing to own, better yet, it can double as that birthday present you’ve been waiting to give your significant other (or others, or mothers).
Before I realize that I’m entirely sounding like Alton Brown on Good Eats, I’m going to finish this and listen to the disc again!
Review By: RME
Rating:
