Abbie Barrett & The Last Date - The Triples: Volume 1

Abbie Barrett & The Last Date -The Triples: Volume 1
2011, Beige Bomber Records

Abbie Barrett grew up in New YorkCity attending private schools. A professional career and upward mobility werethe clear goal. Even through college, Barrett was on target. But once free fromformal education, Barrett jumped around from town to town anything but.Eventually landing in Somerville, Massachusetts, she first picked up a guitarand began writing down the songs that kept running through her head. This was awatershed moment, both a continuation of her rebellion against the expectationsshe was raised with, and an embrace of the person she would become. Drawing oninfluences as disparate as Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Neil Young and Aimee Mann,Barrett continues to write songs about underdogs, unsung heroes and rebels.Along with her band, The Last Date, Barrett recently released the first in aseries of EPs called The Triples.

The Triples, Volume 1 opens with "Here To Stay", a low-key, but highenergy rock n roll fight song that's part Chrissie Hynde and part SaraBareilles. Featuring a memorable chorus, the song shows off Barrett's distinctvoice, which is distinctly beautiful but contains a formidable toughness that'snot to be ignored. "On The Range" is a drearily ethereal spaghettiwestern in song. Barrett's voice and the vocal harmonies of her band help tocreate a distinctive sound that is both uplifting and haunting. The EP closeswith "Draw Me In", an elongated and smooth ballad that sounds likeHope Sandoval singing along to Pink Floyd. The ultimately sad feel of the songholds its own unique beauty, and avoids the neuroses that pervade "sadpop" music.

Abbie Barrett is a distinctive voicein Indie Pop music. Together with The Last Date, Barrett has created threememorable and likeable songs that run the gamut stylistically. The Triples:Volume 1 is a wonderful introduction to an artist who shows a lot ofpromise. This EP will ensure that careful listeners are likely to be waitingfor the release of the other two volumes in the series.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Abbie Barrett & The Last Date at www.abbiebarrett.comor www.myspace.com/abbiebarrett.  The Triples, Volume 1 was scheduled for a November 8, 2011, but as of this review does not appear to have made it to market yet.  Keep checking Barrett's website for release details.

Madi Diaz - Far From The Things That We Know [EP]

Madi Diaz - Far From Things That We Know [EP]
2011, Tiny Ogre

Madi Diaz is a face in the crowd in Nashville; one of the minions of new era singer/songwriters infiltrating Music Way.  But once you here evocative sound and her penchant for contrast a songwriter, Diaz will quickly become unforgettable.  On September 20, 2011, Diaz releases a three-song EP, Far From The Things That We Know, is a preview for a full-length album due out in early 2012.  Produced by John Alagia (John Mayer, The Dave Matthews Band), Far From The Things That We Know will place Madi Diaz firmly on the map, and build significant anticipation for the full-length release to come.

Far From Things That We Know opens with "Let's Go", a middle of the road pop number you'd expect to hear at Lilith Fair.  Diaz pumps up a simple arrangement with a full sound, and her voice is a pleasure to the ears, but the song doesn't make much of an impression either way.  "Johnny" hits the mark; an urgent entreaty in song, harking back to the era of Saturday night drag racing on the edge of town.  Diaz crafts a nice, fluid melody here to take the edge of a lover's premonition, and sounds like a blend of Emm Gryner and Sara Bareilles.  Diaz closes with "Heavy Heart", an intriguing piece of melancholy folk/pop with a sweet melody.  Diaz' pretty, reserved sound is memorable.  She doesn't blow listeners away, but draws you in with a sense of quiet that is intriguing.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Madi Diaz at www.madidiaz.com or www.myspace.com/madidiaz.  Far From The Things That We Know is scheduled to drop September 20, 2011.  Keep checking Diaz’ website(s) for details.

Sarah Solovay - Gone [EP]

Sarah Solovay - Gone [EP]

2009, Sarah Solovay

Balancing the approach of an Indie singer/songwriter and pop artist is a difficult task that has eluded some pretty talented people over the years.  For New York City singer/songwriter Sarah Solovay it comes as easy as breathing.  Hers is a writing process that always begins alone with an acoustic guitar in hand.  Solovay's creations often grow into full productions with layers of sound, tangible heart and a pop sensibility that's undeniable.  This is why Solovay's music been featured on television, in movies and on major websites since 2009.  Solovay's debut EP, Gone, released in 2009, continues to be a commercial success for Solovay, even as she works toward completion of her first full length album.

Gone kicks off with the title track, a catchy bit of radio-ready pop/rock with some muscle in the chorus.  Solovay explores disbelief and heartbreak in the wake of a relationship on "Gone", using her wonderfully sultry/husky alto to illuminate a chorus you won't be able to get out of your head.  "Hearts Collide" calls out a potential love to take a chance.  Once again, Solovay has crafted an infectiously catchy tune that has radio hit written all over it without giving into the clichés of pop radio.  "You'll Never Know" is a carpe diem tune, calling out someone to live their life before it’s too late.  The message is great, and the pop sensibility here is distinguished.  Solovay advocates for personal authenticity on "All She Could Be", the story of a smart girl who chooses the "plastics" route rather than being all she's capable of.  It's great pop/rock songwriting with a memorable chorus and a positive message.  Solovay closes with an intriguingly personal open letter in song entitled "Delight".  A love song, Solovay blows cliché out of the water in an intense ballad with a modern feel. 

Sarah Solovay aptly blends the singer/songwriter aesthetic with high-value pop sensibility on Gone.  Delivering personal anecdotes in song is not uncommon for singer/songwriter types, but Solovay's depth quickly outshines the bevy of pop beauties who generally control radio airwaves.  She does so with a pop sensibility that stands up to the best, and can only mean good things down the road.  Sarah Solovay is the real deal; put her on a major label and she'd be a Top 10 selling artist.  Gone shows what an artist with potential can become when left to their own devices.  Solovay's evolution is likely not completed on Gone, but the promise of what she might be based on what she's already become is nothing less than breathtaking.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Sarah Solovay at www.sarahsolovay.com or www.myspace.com/sarahsolovay.  Gone  is available from Amazon.com as a CD or Download.  The album is also available via iTunes.

Jennings - Collapse, Collide

Jennings - Collapse, Collide
2011, Mary Jennings

New York City-based singer/songwriter (Mary) Jennings returns on May 10, 2011 with her third album, Collapse, Collide.  Jennings has spent much of the past year touring and working with Billboard-charting songwriters to further develop her sense of song craft.  These efforts are apparent on Collapse, Collide, although, as always, with growth comes growing pains.

Collapse, Collide opens with "Surrender", an electro-ethereal pop number that falls somewhere between Sarah McLachlan and Sara Bareilles.  Jennings' distinctive voice is on display here, although it seems as if she never really opens it up.  It's a solid starter, but without the sort of dynamism you might expect.  "The Darkness" is in similar territory, but shows much better realization and execution of what Jennings might have foreseen when writing the song.  Centered on a solid groove, Jennings builds around an original progression that serves as a natural focus for her muse.  "Everlong" is a plus love ballad, although it sounds like Jennings may have chosen a key too low.  She appears to struggle with the bottom of the melody line at times, with pitch being the casualty. 

"Falling Higher" is a great tune with a lot of potential.   Jennings is spot-on in this love song, but the production is a bit messy and at times, distracting.  Jennings offers herself as support to loved one in "Cling To Me", a well-intended and well-written tune that just doesn't become itself in execution.  This isn't so much an artistic issue as a production one.  "U-Turns" is a vibrant pop number with real potential that once again falters on the boards.  The remainder of the album is solid yet uninspiring contemporary adult contemporary alternative rock music that is nicely slotted for radio consideration but fails to live up to what Jennings is capable of.

Collapse/Collide would be a solid effort from many artists, but Mary Jennings has made a point of cutting her own path through the emotional hinterlands that have defined her previous work.  Jennings' move to the commercial center is somewhat befuddling, as she seems to surrender her own voice for a quasi-corporate conception of what she should sound like.  Jennings is a distinctive enough talent to make it work as best she might, but hard core Jennings fans won't know what to do with Collapse, Collide.  Chalk it up to an artist going through the growing pains of how to commercialize their art in a meaningful way without giving up the spirit that got her this far.  The compromises here are too many, and the production is too messy to allow Jennings to emerge from Collapse/Collide. 

Rating: 2.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Jennings at www.jennings-music.com or www.facebook.com/jenningsfemtastic.  Collapse, Collide drops on May 10, 2011.  Pre-orders are available through Amazon.com on CD and as a Download.  Preorders are also available via iTunes.

Jill Goldberg – Girl, Polite

Jill Goldberg – Girl, Polite
2011, Louar Music

Boston-based singer/songwriter Jill Goldberg returns on April 1, 2011 with a new six-song EP, Girl, Polite.  The talented and savvy artist provides her own perspectives on life, love and loss in solid, piano-drive pop/rock tunes full of heart.  Opening with “Not Worth It”, Goldberg crafts intriguingly radio-friendly pop without sounding saccharine or trite.  Goldberg’s deep alto voice is a pleasure to listen to, and she comes off as something of a cross between Laura Branigan and Paula Cole.  “Girl, Polite” explores the struggles of someone brought up to be a ‘good girl’ but feeling rage and anger at the actions of others.  What is occurring beneath the placid depths of polite conversation may surprise you, but should be strange to almost no one.  All of this is covered under a smooth-pop sound that is delightful.

“Where Did You Go” is a sorrowful pop ballad, born of heartbreak and loss.  There is a faux waltz underpinning the arrangement in 6/4 time, and Goldberg’s voice gives more than a few ‘WOW’ moments here.  “Five Steps” and “I’m Always Right” are bland filler, but Goldberg recovers nicely with “My Heaven”; a love song to one who may never hear it.  Goldberg writes here for herself, trying to survive loss and loneliness.  Goldberg is absolutely amazing on the chorus; her voice rich and deep and full of an abject beauty.

Girl, Polite hits a lot of right notes, and Jill Goldberg’s voice is in fine form throughout.  There are two filler tunes here, but even in her more mundane moments Goldberg is intriguing.  It’s a shame Goldberg will only be promoting this EP on the East Coast; she shows enough talent and panache to extend her reach well beyond the I-95 corridor.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Jill Goldberg at http://www.jillgoldberg.com/ or www.myspace.com/jillgoldberg.  Girl, Polite drops April 1, 2011, and will be available from Amazon.com as a CD or Download.