Soul diva

Posted : 5 months, 1 week ago on 23 March 2008 09:53 (A review of Rockferry)

No doubt about it, Duffy has the kind of voice that feels like she's singing from the depths of her soul. Maybe that's why they call it soul music. Wonderful debut, I wonder where she will go from here.

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Celtic folk rock/pop band from Canada

Posted : 5 months, 1 week ago on 23 March 2008 09:48 (A review of Molinos)

I heard these guys in concert a few days ago on St Patrick's Day and was really impressed. I bought this CD at the venue and I'm not kicking myself for doing it. It's an excellent album, ranging from folk rock with Celtic flourishes to all out Irish stomps. The band's playing is top notch and the vocalist Tom Landa keeps it all together very well.

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Defined much of rock music for me

Posted : 5 months, 2 weeks ago on 11 March 2008 08:42 (A review of Jagged Little Pill)

I heard this album when I was in my late teens and it is the kind of rock music that I will always love. The themes of this album influence the music I like - angst, disappointment, how life is full of irony, strong women etc. It got me hooked on female voices and female singer/songwriters ever since.

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Finally, I get a whole album I like

Posted : 5 months, 3 weeks ago on 6 March 2008 10:37 (A review of As I Am)

I've always liked Alicia Keys but never really liked more than a few songs on her albums, though they tended to get a lot of play. Finally, with her third album, she's produced something I can listen from beginning to end. It's packed with excellent songs and she's in top form both as a singer and a songwriter.

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Layla

Posted : 6 months ago on 1 March 2008 12:18 (A review of Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs)

Layla remains among the absolute best songs Eric Clapton ever produced in his lifetime. This album would be worth listening to just for that song. Fortunately, there's plenty of other good music on here as well. The other song I love here is 'Anyday'.

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Folk rock masterpiece

Posted : 6 months ago on 29 February 2008 05:25 (A review of Back in the Circus)

Jonatha Brooke's masterpiece. All the songs are excellent, no filler. She mixes her own songs with some excellent selections to cover. The production is understated, which allows her voice to shine.

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Stunning sophomore effort

Posted : 6 months ago on 29 February 2008 12:10 (A review of The Story)

A little more sombre than her stunning eponymous debut, 'The Story' is another excellent album by Brandi Carlile. Her wonderful voice is on centre stage here more than the first album. It allows her to display the full power and range of her voice. The album lacks the lighter moments from her first album. Most of the songs here are darker in tone and so is the music. However, this fails to bog the album down, and it's still a great listen from start to finish. It grows on you at every listen, as the depth of the songwriting reveals itself. Don't forget to listen to the hidden track 'Hiding My Heart' at the very end.

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Brandi Carlile

Posted : 6 months ago on 29 February 2008 12:08 (A review of Brandi Carlile - Brandi Carlile + ( Bonus Tracks ))

Brandi Carlile has pulled off the near impossible in this day and age, coming up with a Complete album of beautiful, heartfelt and original songs. There is no filler here, none at all. Her writing has amazing depth, and some of the upbeat melodies hide deceptively serious lyrics. This is one album to listen to over and over, and it grows on you every time. I cannot pick one or two highlights from the album, there really isn't Any weak material.

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An unexpected folk rock gem from Beck

Posted : 6 months ago on 28 February 2008 10:53 (A review of Sea Change)

I'm not the biggest fan of Beck's music. It's usually good but it doesn't grab me. All except this album. Right from the first song to the last, it's brilliant. The music is folk rock blended with 90s alt rock and the results are great to hear.

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Even more powerful live

Posted : 6 months ago on 28 February 2008 09:52 (A review of BBC Sessions)

The live versions of several songs on this set manage to surpass the original songs for power and impact. Surprising, but true. Unfortunately, Led Zeppelin didn't perform at the BBC after the release of their first four albums, so all the songs here come for Led Zeppelin I-IV. Such a shame, but don't let it detract you from enjoying this set.

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