Showing posts with label Rock Pop Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rock Pop Reviews. Show all posts

10/27/2015

Rock-Pop Review: Ann Wilson-The Ann Wilson Thing! - #1

Release Date: October 9, 2015
Label: Rounder

A Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Ann Wilson is well known for her stellar voice and textured songs, primarily from her time with Heart. This year a much awaited solo EP has hit the shelves with a mix of original and cover songs. Focusing on blues and rock, she brings back to life many timeless classics and adds one of her own.

“Fool No More” is the original piece on the album. Electric guitar riffs are met with percussive kisses and sweltering vocals that make you long for a tall glass of ice water. Raw and twisting, the emotive lyrics stir the soul with images of dreams and empty hours spent in leisure and aimless pursuits. The guitar growls, twisting and flicking like the tail on a cat, pensive and full of beautiful menace.

Ray Charles would have been proud to hear Wilson’s rendition of his song “The Danger Zone.” A muzzy bit of vocalization winds around the listener, with breathless anticipation. A light blues feel with keyboard antics and a back bayou sense of rhythm, this piece has a tinny effect that warbles with each utterance.

“For What It’s Worth” is a jovial piece with vibrant drums and hip twisting action. A cover for the Buffalo Springfield classic, this song is hopping. Wilson rips through the lyrics and raises them back up to dizzying heights, embracing the essence of the time the song was written. Textured guitar playing licks over you and there is just no way to sit still while you absorb the magic.

“Ain’t No Way” is a resurrection of Aretha Franklin’s song. Earthy and full of the frustrations of life, the piece is blended with multi-instrumentation and Wilson’s stellar vocals. Reaching deep or skimming the surface, she makes the song her own, belting out the heartfelt emotions of women everywhere as they negotiate matters of the heart with the men in their lives. At times sharp, and often poignant the song is one of my favorites on the album.

From being part of Heart to her new solo EP, Wilson sings with purpose and conviction, laying claim to the songs she covers and even creating a new classic piece of her own with “Fool No More.” This EP is a must for any fan of Heart, The Pretenders, Elle King, Joan Jett or Blondie. Some voices just stick with you and Ann Wilson-she’s got it. Great EP and I can’t wait to hear what’s next.

5/5 Stars

Tracks:
 

1. For What It’s Worth
2. Fool No More
3. Ain’t No Way
4. Danger Zone


Key Tracks: Fool No More, Danger Zone, Ain’t No Way, For What It’s Worth

Dana Wright, Sr. Staff Writer
October 27, 2015
Review Provided By Write A Music Review



1/31/2015

Rock/Pop Review-Lunocode-C'è vita intelligente sulla terra?

Release Date: July 2014
Label: 7hard/7us

Lunocode is a pop rock band hailing from the cultured shores of Italy. The members are comprised of Perseo Mazzoni (Drums & percussions, backing vocals), Paride Mazzoni (Acoustic Guitars), Giordano Boncompagni (Acoustic Guitars & darbuka), Francesco Rossi (Bass Guitar) and Daphne Romano (Vocals). Other musicians the album include Francesco Briotti  (Piano, Mellotron & synth), Dora Chiodini (Flute) and Narrator: Francesco Anello (actor). 

Emerging in 2011, the band has evolved with their unique blend of theatrical narrative, theological rhetoric, melancholy prose and acoustic artistry. Their unique blend of introspection on the human condition goes beyond the typical and delves into the harder questions. Is there intelligent life on earth after all? Beautiful spoken word is interspersed with “Chi vive veramente,” quickly morphs into “Idea #5” with acoustic guitar strumming, percussion and Daphne Romano’s angelic voice. Man’s unstoppable quest for knowledge and greed for more-never ceasing despite indicators that our very nature could indeed be our biggest downfall.

Latin based languages are simply beautiful. The fact that I don’t speak Italian was a hindrance but the lyrical beauty of the narrative interspersed between the songs was a siren’s call to reach out and grasp his words with my ears and strive to hear them despite the barrier of mere language. “Un atomo nell’universo” spins around in a sound that reminded me heavily of Jethro Tull. Flutes and percussive elements swoon along with Daphne’s voice and take you along for the journey. Down and down into the soil of our world. Our humanity. Our foibles and failings-but also our glory.

“Come una scintilla dalla pietra focaia” is nearly a prayer. The whispered reverence with male and female voices reaching up toward the heavens combined with the acoustic guitar was magnificent. The harder questions prevail but the knowledge that humanity is key to the universe never falters, only the call to be more aware of our actions in the tidal pool of life.

Lunocode is a band of artists. Not just musicians, they take philosophical discussion and make it a production of spoken word, resonance, melodic voice and eloquent instrumentation. Language barriers hold no sway as hands reach up to grasp universal truths. With great power comes great responsibility and sometimes humanity loses sight of that fact. But in our foibles and frailty, there is beauty and truth. I highly recommend this unique album.


4.5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Chi vive veramente, Un atomo nell’universo, Come una scintilla dalla pietra focaia

Tracks:
Disc One
 

1. Idea, Pt. 1
2. Idea, Pt. 2
3. Idea, Pt. 3
4. Idea, Pt. 4
5. Idea, Pt. 5
6. Idea, Pt. 6
7. Idea, Pt. 7
8. Idea, Pt. 8
9. Idea, Pt. 9

Disc 2
01. Il pallido puntino blu (Live)
02. Prima immagine (Live)
03. Cieli immensi ed immenso amore (Live)
04. Seconda immagine (Live)
05. Chi vive veramente (Live)
06. Domanda (Live)
07. (Non) siamo i migliori del cosmo [Live]
08. Affermazione (Live)
09. Mutar forma (Live)
10....e veleggiar lontano (Live)
11. Una introduzione (Live)
12. Capitolo primo (Live)
13. Un bagliore circolare e blu (Live)
14. Capitolo secondo (Live)
15. L'espressione di una idea (Live)
16. Capitolo terzo (Live)
17. Qualcosa di piccolo e brillantissimo (Live)
18. Capitolo quarto (Live)
19. Un atomo nell'universo (Live)
20. Capitolo quinto (Live)
21. Come una scintilla dalla pietra focaia (Live)
22. E' (Davvero) necessario [Live]

 
DanaWright, Sr. Staff Writer
January 31, 2015
Review Provided By Write A Music Review