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Jukebox Reviews: Fray, Bublè, Plumb, Emery, and More By Various The Fray--How To Save A Life 2005 Spirituality (+2) Lyrics (+5) Music (+5)
The Fray's debut album, How To Save A Life, showcases
the band's intense piano ability. Listeners are guided through various life
issues: love, miscommunication, and regrets. The Fray has steered away from the
usual “I hate the world” route of rock. They tackle issues in an easier, more
profound method, which is pleasing to the ears. On this CD each song has its
own place and purpose, describing a significant story. The track “How to Save a
Life” is widely known for its feature in the TV series Grey's Anatomy, in
which The Fray reflects a young boy's struggle to get help from anyone around
him. Even though the people in his life try, nothing succeeds. With their
distinctive sound and presence they are able to capture and intrigue you in each
track. Without crude statements and terms, this album provides us with an
alternative perspective on life. -Krista Valdez
Michael Bublè--Call Me Irresponsible 2007 Spirituality (+2) Lyrics (+4) Music (+5)
When Michael Bublè sings you can sense his passion for the
music itself. He takes you back to the great music eras of the 50's-80's, with
songs like “L-O-V-E,” “Me and Mrs. Jones,” and “I've Got the World On a String”.
Along with those, he has a few newer sounds, like “Everything,” which has more
of a pop sound as well as a Grammy-nominated single. Bublè, unlike most artists
out there, has more of a cleaner-softer approach to music. He tends to mix pop
sounds with a jazzy feel. With a cross between Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra,
Bublè takes you through a romantic jazz lounge in the comfort of your own home.
-Krista Valdez Matchbox Twenty--Exile on Mainstream 2007 Spirituality (0) Lyrics (+4) Music (+4)
The only honestly spiritual track on Matchbox Twenty's revival
album is the opener and radio single, “How Far We've Come,” which stares into
the face of a seemingly apocalyptic world brought about by the loss of love.
Lead singer Rob Thomas belts out, “I believe the world is coming to an end / oh
well, I guess / we're gonna pretend,” and he really means it. The rest of the
short album--only six tracks with two extra live cover tracks--documents the
methodical breakdown of a relationship that led to this epiphany: from deception
in “I'll Believe You When,” to emotional manipulation in “All Your Reasons,” to
a half-hearted acceptance of the end in “These Hard Times,” to a final,
desperate plea for reconciliation in “If I Fall” and “Can't Let You Go.” What is
love that it can tear the human soul apart after it has left, pushing the
heartbroken soul into asking the eternal questions? Matchbox Twenty has always
been interested in documenting the painful consequences of love and its
seemingly inevitable dissolution, and their most recent album is no exception.
-Jonathan McDonald Alison Krauss and Union Station--Lonely Runs Both Ways 2004 Spirituality (+4) Lyrics (+5) Music (+4)
Alison Krauss' pop-bluegrass album fluctuates between her soft
country ballads and the high-paced fiddle-and-banjo songs from the members of
her band. While the Union Station tracks are similar to what you'd find on most
bluegrass albums, Krauss herself weaves an enchanting spell through her
heartbreakingly honest songs. For Krauss, to stray from love is to stray from
truth; as she sings in “Borderline:” “So who's the fool that would think the
ties would be better off undone / Did your heart even warn you when you veered
from the path that was narrower and straight?” The album ends with “A Living
Prayer,” a hymn that casts all of her anxiety about love (“I just can't stand
bein' alone,” in “Restless”) onto the love of God: “In Your love I find release
/ A haven from my unbelief / Take my life and let me be / A living prayer my God
to thee.” -Jonathan McDonald Plumb--Blink 2007 Spirituality (+4) Lyrics (+4) Music (+4)
Tiffany Arbuckle, whose alter ego is Curb Records artist
Plumb, turns down the volume on the belting vocals and driving guitars captured
on her previous alt-rock/pop recording “Chaotic Resolve” and connects to a niche
audience with “Blink”: the new mother and her infant. Accompanied by mellow
synths and ethereal strings, Arbuckle's beautiful voice, reminiscent of
Evanescence's Amy Lee, softly weaves a tapestry of love for her children and her
God in a series of lullabies sure to make any mother's heart swell and her young
baby dream big. Standout track “In My Arms” paints the picture of a mother
desiring to shelter her child from growing up in a fallen world, drawing a
spiritual parallel of God's protection over His children. “Blink” is a must for
every nursery, but fans starved for edgy Plumb music should download the
thumping dance/electronica “Bimbo Jones Radio Remix” of the single “In My Arms.”
-Patrick Dodson Emery - I'm Only a Man 2007 Spirituality (0) Lyrics (+3) Music (+4)
Emery, Tooth & Nail's signature alt-rock/screamo quintet,
produces its most creative and mainstream-accessible project to date in “I'm
Only a Man.” Decrying the imperfection of humanity and the painful consequences
of sin, Emery's latest effort resonates a perfect balance musically and
lyrically by creating emotional tension with somber vocal hooks, melodic guitars
and interjecting screaming in an artistic way when the release is desired.
Aided by the band's dual front men, driving hit “The Party Song” and
contemplative “Can't Stop the Killer” poetically depict two characters in
conversation, bringing a unique element of rock opera to the music. Featuring
an introduction à la Queen's “Bohemian Rhapsody,” a great synth-pop chorus, and
a driving screamo ending, sure-fire hit “Don't Bore Us, Get to the Chorus” is
indicative of Emery's vast array of musical talent and creativity that makes the
rock enthusiast hungry for more. -Patrick Dodson Mariah Carey--Greatest Hits 2001
Spiritual - (0) Lyrical - (+3) Musical - (+ 4)
As is obvious with a greatest hits collection, these songs by Carey are not new, but rather well-known and well-liked. This is two-disc set featuring what most would consider her best work. It has a wide range of pop and R&B sounds, since the tracks span about a decade's worth of songs. What makes this project worth it is that it's a collection of Carey at her very best. -Ashley Reever
James Taylor--One Man Band 2007 Spiritual (+1) Lyrical (+3) Musical (+4)
The latest release from singer/songwriter/musician James Taylor is a new look at his old life. The CD/DVD is a live recording done by Taylor as a tribute to his beginning. In his comments in the CD jacket, he says he started his career as just a man on stage with a guitar and a few instruments behind him, and he wanted to get back to that. The songs he recorded--such as “You've Got A Friend” and “Shower the People”--are not new, but rather newly done. If you're a Taylor fan, you'll enjoy it. -Ashley Reever
© 2007, Krista Valdez, Patrick Dodson, Ashley Reever, Jonathan
McDonald ------- Krista Valdez, Patrick Dodson, Ashley Reever and Jonathan McDonald are sharing their first review's with ninetyandnine.com. |
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