A native of the Iowa Singer Bonne Finken just released a ground breaking 14 song CD entitled “Fairy Tales/Love Affairs” in 2014. On the heels of a new single and music video for the robust pop anthem “Step Back Baby,” audiences are getting a sense of the new direction for Finken’s third studio album, Fairytales/LoveAffairs, due out later this year. Exploring all facets of love, from the thrill of the strong emotion to questioning the definition of love and the downsides of loss and walking away, Finken dives into the personal struggles relatable to all of us. Reuniting with Jon Locker (Finken’s Soul On Display), Bonne also collaborated on production for the first time with Matt Sepanic (The Envy Corp, Slipknot), Brandon Darner (Imagine Dragons), and Michael Krompass (Nelly Furtado, Natasha Bedingfield). This new approach provides Fairytales/LoveAffairs a heightened feel compared to Finken’s previous releases.
Straight away it’s clear to me the album is an imaginative return to passion filled Hip Hop Pop fused with the better musical touches of today Power Pop, Urban dance and Soulful Singer/Songwriter. But wait – she also delivers a hard rock edge as well. Finken reminds me of Regina Spektor, A Fine Frenzy, Charlotte Martin, Vienna Teng and Natasha Bedingfield. Today music has many people feeling of bit of soullessness – how appropriate I get a CD by an artist as passionate as Finken. Finken is a real jolt to the system – in a good way. The album begins in hooky fashion with the magnificent ‘Fall” which is a crisp raid on the senses, laden with hooks and impressive vocal burst from Finken. The only surprise is that it wasn’t a single, as it is radio friendly of the highest order. “Absence of Fear” and ‘Step Back Baby” follow and are pleasant journeys through a Pop Passion play of Finkens psyche. On “Magic” the harmonies beautifying what could have been a dance number. ‘Let’s Play” and “Magic” should both be singles for that matter and are both exceptional pop songs showcasing Finken and her band as a moving and grooving. “Let’s play” has a priceless chorus and an infectious vocal feel. In the end Finken is a real breath of fresh air and again a shock to everyday musical system presently in place.
I don’t feel the single “Step Back Baby” Is the most marketable song on the CD.
In summary “Fairy Tales/Love Affairs” by Bonne Finken is sure to turn your head and your ears and pretty much delivers everything the title implies, and is in itself a polarizing 14 Track statement from this Iowa native. Out of the whole album, 4 songs are in the category of brilliant, 9 of them are good, and there are only 1 I’d find myself wanting to skip in rotation. I wouldn’t be surprised if Finken continues to get more popular past Iowa as the summer unwinds.
URL: http://www.bonnefinken.com/
Rating 8.5/10 Stars
PURCHASE LINK: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bonnefinken
Leroy Campbell edited by Heather Savage
Review comments – heathresavage5@gmail.com
