CD
reviewS: Lyrical emcee's debut pushes
hip-hop's borders
Cop
it or drop it
Ratings
4 stars = cop it
3 stars = play it
2 stars = ok it
1 star = drop it
"Later
That Day"
Lyrics Born
Quannum Projects
****
Lyrics
Born's first full-length album, "Later
That Day" sits under the prominent
umbrella label, Quannum Projects, run
by underground beat masters, Gift of Gab,
DJ Shadow, Chief Xcel and Lateef the Truth
Speaker.
Those
who are familiar with the sounds of the
Quannum crew will be doing summersaults
in their sneakers after a listen. Those
unfamiliar should sit back and accept
this album as simply dope.
While
not your typical hip-hop album, "Later
That Day" blends calculated, raw
production and a uniquely cultivated style
of singing and emceeing that push hip-hop's
boundaries.
Lyrics
Born wisely blends soothing female vocals
throughout, adding a yin to the yang of
featured guest emcees, Gift of Gab and
Latyrx. The beautiful Joyo Velarde is
featured on the track "Love Me So
Bad," and joins Constance Lopez and
Gertrude Warner on background vocals.
The
album's originality spits boldness into
the face of the status quo on tracks like
"The Last Trumpet" and "Callin'
Out."
This
album will have you doing head spins in
your trucker hat. Those that are seeking
true artistry in music should consider
skipping the download and take a trip
to the store to purchase this album.
--Sean Orfila
"Living
in America"
The Sounds
New Line Records
**
Before
releasing their debut album, "Living
in America" in the United States,
Swedish group, The Sounds weren't exactly
living in obscurity.
In
addition to achieving platinum status
in their home country, the group's '80s-inspired
pop-rock has been heard on many U.S. radio
and TV shows over the past six months,
gearing up for the release of their album.
The
album consists mainly of '80s pop, but
with more sophistication and less cheese.
Lead singer Maja Ivarsson strikes a delicate
balance between pop icon Blondie, and
more modern divas like Gwen Stefani and
Shirley Manson.
Tracks
such as "Seven Days a Week"
and "Dance With Me" stray very
little from superficial dance music, but
later tracks such as "Reggie"
and "Riot" reveal new depths
to the band, alternating between early
punk and '60s-inspired rock.
-- Mandy Wright
"Leona
Naess"
Leona Naess
Geffen
***
+ 1/2*
Run
a bubble bath, light some scented candles,
put on Leona Naess's self-titled new album,
and soak it all in.
There
is nothing like music that has great simple
melodies, while saying something about
real things people can relate to like
loss and love and everything in between.
This album does just that.
"The
first five songs are kind of about trying
to let go of the past, and the last six
are about looking to the future,"
Naess said about her third full-length
album.
Her
sound is uplifting and passionate and
she might be compared to Nora Jones with
her sultry, beautiful voice, but she also
resembles Jewel with her mix of acoustic
sound and poetry. The songs on the album
are sad and lovely at the same time.
--Kristen Wooley
"Stacie
Orrico"
Stacie Orrico
Virgin Records
***
Christian
pop artist Stacie Orrico, despite being
only seventeen, has already topped charts
and conquered MTV's TRL with her self-titled
album.
Orrico,
known throughout the U.S., Japanese, and
European markets for her kitten-like voice,
has tantalized all ears with her effortless
talents.
Her
first big hit "Stuck" has made
its mark on the airwaves and contains
lyrics that leave you wanting more. "(there's
got to be) More To Life" has been
the second No. 1 hit and the music video
has been charting on MTV's TRL.
Internationally,
Orrico has already acquired a large fan
base that is keeping the media on its
toes. Although her recordings are
slightly shorter in comparison to competing
pop superstars like Kelly Clarkson and
Mandy Moore, her undeniable talent will
continue to give them a run for their
money.
Orrico's
deep inner connection to her own teenage
feelings is poured into her lyrics and
will continue to captivate her audience.
--Marissa Pendergrass
