Adult Contemporary

Mike Sparrow's 'Bored in the South'

2/8/2012
Jackie Morrison
Artist: 
Mike Sparrow
Don't you dare love me

In December 2011 a man sent me a wink on a popular online dating site. He told me his name was Greg, that he was 37, and worked as an investment banker for Deutsche Bank. Then he sent a picture. I immediately knew it was not his. Why? Because it belonged to a musician named Mike Sparrow who passed away too soon. Sparrow only released one album called Bored in the South that included original songs like I Love Women and Love Songs. This incident was certainly strange but it reminded me how artists leave us too soon with so much left in them.

Acoustic Alchemy's 'Roseland'

1/19/2012
John-Paul Helk
Artist: 
Acoustic Alchemy

To celebrate 30 years of Acoustic Alchemy, the band released Roseland in 2011, and it is certainly a fitting way to commemorate their years of success. While at first listen some songs off the album might seem to be nothing more than elevator music, a deeper listen illuminates the intricacies and purposeful movements the artists have woven into their instrumental songs. The album is a display of emotion and talent that is both relaxing and engaging.

Ravishers

3/25/2011
Jesse Seilhan
Artist: 
Ravishers
Ravishers' debut album invokes cupids, love potions, but not much passion.

The debut album from Oregon’s Ravishers is a great example of how to introduce yourself into the music business: produce a clean, well-written album that drives people to your live performances. As a dozen tracks will tell you, this duo is obsessed with love, life, and more love. So if you wear black nail polish or kick the hacky sack back and forth during lunch, this disc might not be for you.

Home

11/8/2010
Jaclyn Baldovin
Artist: 
Jim Brickman

Jim Brickman, a skilled pianist, has released six gold and platinum selling CDs. His most recent album is Home.

The album features Brickman’s talented piano-playing skills combined with the guitar, bass and fiddle on 18 tracks, including four bonus tracks.

Songs like “Throughout the Years,” “A Winter’s Night” and “Bedtime Story” demonstrate Brickman’s versatility and expertise as a musician. The guitar strumming mixed with the piano throughout the tracks produces a beautiful, melodic sound.

Reviewer Rating: 
4.00Stars

I Dreamed A Dream

1/8/2010
Robert Grandinetti
Artist: 
Susan Boyle

I was one of the millions who watched the online clip of Susan Boyle’s audition for “Britain’s Got Talent” where she sang, “I Dreamed a Dream.” The most touching moment was the close up of her smiling face during the instrumental part of the song. That moment explains the popularity surrounding Boyle’s clip. This was a woman who seemed to have been ridiculed all her life and now she had an audience in the palm of her hand.

Reviewer Rating: 
4.00Stars

Signature

7/19/2009
Ted Simmons
Artist: 
Joe

Hearing Joe's "Signature," it's easy to contemplate the singer's imprint on R&B and music. After more than 15 years in the business, how does he differentiate himself, what's signature Joe?

The answers found on Joe's eighth studio album, second as an independent, are both clear and unsurprising. The jazzy and melodic disc reaffirms Joe as the leader of urban adult contemporary as he offers ballads of love and admiration.

When he belts about making movies with his significant other on "Love's Greatest Episode," any crudity is overmatched by Joe's pipes and conviction.

Reviewer Rating: 
3.50Stars

The Fray

6/30/2009
Brian Donnelly
Artist: 
The Fray

The Fray's self-titled sophomore album features beautiful music and evocative lyrics. The problem is, it may very well put you to sleep. The quasi-alternative quartet's white-hot debut album, "How To Save A Life" garnered them instant credibility in 2006. However, their 2009 release falls short of expectations.

The album opens strong with one of the up-tempo tracks on the album, "Syndicate." The song is a steady progression to a feint dose of adrenaline, instrumentally, with a lead-in by front man Isaac Slade on piano.

Reviewer Rating: 
3.50Stars

Alone with Everybody

6/27/2009
Stefan Julian
Artist: 
Richard Ashcroft

Richard Aschcroft, who recently rejoined with his band, the Verve, released his first solo album, "Alone with Everybody," in 2000.

This album reveals his studied mastery of the recording studio. He shares the production credits on the album and utilizes a basic song format for its emotive qualities.

This is achieved through background harmonies, synthesizers, stringed symphonies, as well as acoustic and electric instruments. Each song's sentimentality conveys a visionary hope for love and fulfillment.

Reviewer Rating: 
5.00Stars

White Flags of Winter Chimneys

4/6/2009
JC Chute
Artist: 
Wendy and Lisa

Wendy and Lisa's "White Flags of Winter Chimneys" pushes boundaries of conventional contemporary music to challenge listeners to think outside the box.

"Ever After" is somewhat depressing in its message, although the composition does have an interesting experimental vibe, bordering on the avant-garde, which is very different than people are used to hearing from them. "Salt & Cherries" has a good rock vibe, and the vocals are very reminiscent of Joan Jett in her heyday with the Blackhearts.

Reviewer Rating: 
3.50Stars

These Days (The Virginia Sessions)

3/23/2009
JC Chute
Artist: 
Pat McGee Band

These Days by Pat McGee is a smartly assembled, radio-friendly pop record that plays to pop sensibilities without ever overdoing it or becoming too clich?d.

The highlight by far is "Elizabeth," a deceptively simple and beautiful love song that still manages to rock. "Come Back Home" is so evocative of the poetics of Matchbox Twenty front man Rob Thomas that it's hard to distinguish whether it is he or McGee delivering the vocals. "All Over You" showcases some nice harmonies, while "End Of October" contains vivid imagery that is strikingly reminiscent of the work of Jackson Browne.

Reviewer Rating: 
5.00Stars
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