Maria Rose & The Swiss Kicks - New Direction

Maria Rose & The Swiss Kicks - New Direction
2011, Maria Rose

Flint and Ypsilanti, Michigan are the co-homes of electro rock n soul trio Maria Rose & The Swiss Kicks.  Led by the powerful and soulful voice of Maria Rose, The Swiss Kicks power their way through an intriguing though sometimes muddled stylistic ménage on their debut EP, New Direction. 

Maria Rose & The Swiss Kicks get things started with "Velvet Cabaret", a musical biography of a strppr with dreams of owning her own French Café.  There's a morbid sort of pull to this song, as we hear the story of someone struggling to break free of a hard life.  It's never clear if our heroine will succeed, even though she's on the verge of her dream.  Maria Rose gives the whole affair a soulful and gritty read with a voice that will stick in your mind.  "Pineapple Wine" is a quirky folk/pop Boss nova; a sexy and sensual invitation to let down your hair and enjoy the moment.  "Angel Face" is a maudlin ballad that's half-hearted and vaguely depressed in sound.  There's a distinctive disconnect between the lyrics and the tone of the music presented here, enough so that it's distracting to the listener.

"Gypsy Of NYC" is another musical bio, this time of a young lady with quasi-magical qualities.  The arrangement and instrumentation is unique and compelling for pop music, even if the production does muddle the sound a bit.  "Wildcard" is catchy and intriguing; showcasing Maria Rose's voice in compelling fashion.  This is one of those songs that eat at you, growing on you slowly, over time.  The EP closes with "New Directions", an unfortunately apt tune that sounds something like Tori Amos and includes an unfortunate and non-committal rap.  This one just doesn't work all that well.

Maria Rose & The Swiss Kicks make a solid impression with New Direction, although the production on the album sounds incomplete at times.  The band skates the middle ground between acoustic band and full sound.  Unfortunately this half-measure doesn't seem to suite them well.  For whatever flaws New Direction might have, however, Maria Rose's voice can't be counted among them.  Rose will make you forget your troubles when she opens her mouth to sing.  The songwriting here is still developing and uneven, but the future looks bright for Maria Rose & The Swiss Kicks.

Rating: 3 Stars (out of 5)

Learn more about Maria Rose & The Swiss Kicks at www.mariarosekicks.com or www.myspace.com/mariarosemusic.  New Direction is available from Amazon.com as a CD or Download.  The album is also available via iTunes.

Antonia Bennett – Natural EP

Antonia Bennett – Natural EP
2010, MesaBlueMoonRecordings

Antonia Bennett practically grew up on stage.  The native of Beverly Hills is the daughter of singing legend Tony Bennett and actress Sharon Grant.  Bennett grew up performing with her famous dad, including stints on stage with Count Basie and his orchestra.  Bennett also grew up with advice and praise from such family friends as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Dean Martin, Gene Kelly, Rosemary Clooney and Les Paul.   Bennett has studied at The Berklee College Of Music and the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, and has performed all over the world.  This fall Bennett released her debut EP, Natural.

Natural opens with “Soon”, a slow reflective number from the Gershwins that shows off Bennett’s sweet voice in fine form.  It’s a light but solid start.  The piano work on this number is exquisite and actually outshines Bennett.  Irving Berlin’s “Puttin’ On The Ritz” is also done in a slow, mellow arrangement that is not the best presentation for the song.  It does, however, allow Bennett to show off her gorgeous vocal tone.  Still this version of the song drags, and Bennett doesn’t bring a presence to carry it.  “The Thrill Is Gone” is in much the same ilk, pretty but bland.  “I Wish I Were In Love Again” is a Rodgers & Hart number (Babes In Arms) popularized by Judy Garland, and finds Bennett picking up the pace a bit in a solid performance.  “I Fall To Pieces” shows some improvement, but you’re left with the impression that Bennett’s heart isn’t really in the jazz material.  Natural closes with “Love Is A Battlefield”, a jazzified take on the Pat Benatar hit.  Bennett comes alive here on the vocal even as the arrangement essentially neuters the energy and edge of the original. 

The thing is that Natural simply isn’t.  There’s an air of pretense to the EP that just doesn’t fly, as if Antonia Bennett is starting with an EP of staid material because that’s what she grew up with.  There’s a higher level of commitment to the one rock tune on the disc even if it is watered down in a non-threatening arrangement.  Bennett has a beautiful voice, but her heart just doesn’t seem to be in it here.  Bennett has already moved on, and is currently working on an album of original pop tunes to be released sometime in 2011.  One might suspect that project will show a lot more life while continuing to feature a voice that truly is worth listening to.

Rating: 2.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Antonia Bennett at www.antoniabennett.com or www.myspace.com/antoniabennett.  Natural is available as a download from Amazon.com and iTunes.