September and October have bombarded me with new music from some of my favorite artists and KT Tunstall’s Tiger Suit (released October 5th, 2010) is no exception.  KT has gone a bit more in the dance/pop direction with this one, but she still retains some of her rock guitar-driven style that I’ve come to love.

I’ve been listening to this album pretty much non-stop since I got my hands on it and I have yet to pick out a favorite, although “Fade Like A Shadow” and “Come On, Get In” are the ones that keep getting stuck in my head.  The upbeat songs make me want to dance, while the the slower, heavier songs have me digging into the lyrics booklet for understanding.   Each time I listen I pick up on something I didn’t hear before.

If you haven’t had a chance to hear Tiger Suit yet, you can check out a preview of the album on KT Tunstall’s web site by tweeting or sending a link to facebook.  If you like what you hear, I suggest following KT Tunstall on Twitter or Facebook as well.  She’ll be touring this fall (10/31-12/1) and you don’t want to miss out if she comes near your town!

The not-so-fine print: I received a copy of KT Tunstall’s Tiger Suit in exchange for posting this review and was not compensated in any other way.

Back in high school I had a friend who always had the best music.  He was the kid who always had a cd player and headphones in his backpack ready to pull out when there was a lull in the day.  He introduced me to a lot of music during the two years of high school that we shared, but the most lasting impression was the time he had me listen to Sarah McLachlan‘s Fumbling Towards Ecstacy.

I don’t remember what song he first played for me, but I know that I soon owned the album and listening to “Elsewhere” on repeat quickly became my outlet for teen angst.  I doubt there is any album in my collection that has been played more.

Since that initial purchase,  I have bought every album that Sarah (we’re on a first name basis here) has put out.  Her voice has carried me through half of my lifetime now, so you can imagine how excited I was when I found out Laws of Illusion was set to release.  I was even more thrilled when I found out that One2One Network was covering her release and I jumped on the opportunity to get my hands on a review copy.

Laws of Illusion is everything you would expect from a Sarah McLachlan album.  Her soothing, melodic vocals stand out over the instruments in the background as she pours her soul into each song.  In this album she brings a sense of maturity as she explores love, heartbreak, renewal, and the weight of the world around us.  Some songs, like “Out of Tune” hold a heaviness that you can feel as you listen to the lyrics:

It isn’t my heart that’s grown cold
The same mistakes are getting old
I’m lost for words, I don’t know what to do

But when I’m lying here with you
And the whole world’s out of tune
You’re the one and only voice that makes things right
So stay with me tonight

It is apparent that McLachlan has done a lot of soul searching in the years since her last album release.  Overall, the album was not as upbeat as I would have expected it to be, but that certainly hasn’t kept it from being on a nearly constant rotation since the day I received it.

I recently received a copy of One eskimO’s debut album to review from One2One Network.  One eskimO is a critically-acclaimed English band fronted by singer-songwriter Kristian Leontiou and includes musicians Pete Rinaldi (guitar), Jamie Sefton (bass, horns) and Adam Falkner (drums).

If you listen to pop or adult alternative radio stations, you’ve probably already heard the song “Kandi” since it has hit #1 on adult rock radio.  If not, you can check out the video on YouTube and give it a listen.  I think it is my favorite song on the album, although “Chocolate” and “Amazing” are both close seconds.  “Kandi” just tends to get stuck in my head a little more.

Billboard Magazine calls One eskimO’s self-titled debut album “…catchy, ambient pop.”  I call it perfect rainy day music.  Overall, it is pretty mellow with a nice pop feel to it.  It’s great to listen to in the office while I’m working, but I probably wouldn’t put it on when I need an energy boost.

If you want to catch One eskimO live, they are touring throughout May, June, and July supporting Michael Franti in addition to some festivals and headlining shows.  They’ll be at the Crossroads in Kansas City on June 13th if any local people want to check them out.

Want more One eskimO?  Get a free download of “Astronauts” by tweeting, visit the One eskimO  web site, connect on Facebook, or check out their YouTube channel!

Have you heard One eskimO yet?  I’d love to hear what you think of them in the comments!

Share and Enjoy:

]]> http://reviews.voicesinmymind.com/reviews-2/music-cd-reviews/cd-review-one-eskimo/feed/ 0 http://reviews.voicesinmymind.com/reviews-2/giveaways/cd-review-butterflyfish/ http://reviews.voicesinmymind.com/reviews-2/giveaways/cd-review-butterflyfish/#comments Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:00:20 +0000 Dee http://reviews.voicesinmymind.com/?p=206

A few weeks ago I received a copy of Ladybug from Butterflyfish.  When I put it in the cd player on the way to preschool/day care one morning, the kids fussed at me.  It wasn’t their usual Laurie Berkner that they were used to listening to during the morning ride.  Fortunately, it didn’t take long for them to adjust. After just a couple of listens they were singing along!

Matthew Myer Boulton, Elizabeth Myer Boulton, and Zoë Krohne formed Butterflyfish after chatting at a picnic about how to explore the spiritual side of life with their children in new ways. Agreeing that most spiritually themed music made for families were “pretty thin broth, both musically and spiritually,” they set out to create what they had been searching for.  Their first cd, Ladybug,  has gotten great reviews, even being called “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?” for kids!

Ladybug is a great collection of folk/bluegrass style songs with a spiritual message.  Mixed in with a collection of Boulton’s originals, are new takes on some of the old classics such as “Jesus Loves Me” and “Deep Down In My Heart.”  The music is light-hearted and fun, while also introducing biblical stories and context. My 4-year-old’s favorite song is “What Jonah Learned Inside the Whale,” and I keep catching him singing it even when the cd isn’t on.  The best part though, is that it has him asking questions and wanting to know more.  After listening to “When the Spirit Sings In Me,” we had a long discussion about what “the Spirit” means and how it relates to our lives.

Don’t think this music is only for kids though.  I’ll admit to playing it (and singing along) even when I’m in the car by myself!  I can’t resist the harmony on “Music.”  Even my husband, who is not at all fond of Folk music, likes it and it’s rare that he’ll admit to liking anything that isn’t hard rock or metal.

For my family, this cd came at a perfect time.  We’ve been trying to re-commit ourselves to going to church and just started attending a brand new church in our area.  I love that the music is helping my son become more interested in God and to be quite honest, it really puts me in the mood to worship on Sunday mornings!

I was actually quite surprised at how much my family loves this cd.  We have all been singing the songs for a couple of weeks now and haven’t tired of it yet. Because we love it so much, I e-mailed Elizabeth and asked if she would be willing to provide another copy of Ladybug for me to give away to my readers.  She graciously said yes!

How to enter:
All you have to do to enter the contest is leave a comment below.  I’d love it if you would tell me what your favorite song (spiritual or otherwise) was when you were a kid.  Are there memories attached to it or did you just like the song?

Contest will close Tuesday, December 15th, 2009, at 11:59 p.m. CST.  One winner will be chosen from all eligible comments via random.org and notified by e-mail.

To find out more about Butterflyfish, go to www.butterflyfishband.com.  You can sample and purchase Ladybug in the store, or check out some of the other fun stuff, such as the yummy Strawberry Lemonade recipe!

Disclosure: I received a copy of Butterflyfish’s cd, Ladybug, for the purposes of this review.

It’s time for yet another music review (this has been a fun week!)!  This time it’s Michael Bublé’s latest release, Crazy Love.  All about the crazy rollercoaster ride that is love, Crazy Love is filled with new originals like the fun single, “Haven’t Met You Yet,” as well as covers of classics like “Georgia On My Mind” and the title track “Crazy Love.”

To be honest I wasn’t sure what to expect when I cracked open this cd.  Despite his irresistible good looks, I somehow have not paid much attention to Michael Bublé.  I’ve heard his name thrown around a lot over the last few years bus still managed to somehow pass him by.

Thanks to the One2One Network, I finally got a chance to discover what Mr. Bublé is all about and let me tell you, I now understand the craze!  While I’m not a huge fan of jazz music, I found myself really enjoying his smooth voice.  He conveys so much emotion with his voice that you can almost hear him smiling through the lyrics at times.  I’ve actually found it to be a perfect cd to listen to at work over the last week. For some reason it seems just perfect for a cold winter day when all you want to do snuggle up in a warm sweater. I really enjoyed the cover songs, but I also found myself tapping along to his originals.  “Haven’t Met You Yet” has quickly become a new favorite.  If you haven’t heard it yet, check out the video below!



Crazy Love, released earlier than originally planned due to fan demand, is in stores now. For more information on Michael Buble, check out www.michaelbuble.com or become a fan on Facebook.

An advance copy of Crazy Love was provided by One2One Network for review purposes.

I’ve been a big fan of Brandi Carlile since I first heard her self-titled debut album way back in 2006.  I gave the album a listen based on a friend’s recommendation and her soulful voice pulled me in right away.  She’s one of those artists that you hear on the radio and you know exactly who is singing to you after only a few notes.  Since I was already a fan, I was thrilled to be given the chance to review an advance copy of Brandi Carlile’s new album from One2One.

Brandi’s new album, Give Up The Ghost, brings a matured sound with just a little bit of that country twang that I’ve come to love from her.  From the wistful “Dreams” to the heartbreaking “Before It Breaks” the album does not disappoint.  This album also brought with it opportunities for Brandi to collaborate with several amazing artists including Elton John, who sings with her on the upbeat “Caroline” (that I can’t seem to get out of my head).  If you haven’t heard it yet, I highly recommend that you get yourself over to iTunes or your music store of choice and pick up a copy.

Give up the Ghost was released on October 6th, 2009 and is in stores now.  For more information, check out www.brandicarlile.com or become a fan on Facebook.

An advance copy of Give Up The Ghost was provided by One2One Network for review purposes.

It’s not likely that you’ve missed hearing “Superman” or “100 Years” playing on the radio, but if you’ve never heard the voice of John Ondrasik, a.k.a Five For Fighting, now is the time to remedy that.  In his soon to be released album, Slice, John’s soothing voice tells a story of American life -  a slice, if you will, of experiences and sentiments.

Other than hearing a few tracks on the radio, I’ve never really listened to Five For Fighting. I do love listening to new music though, so when I was given a chance by One2One Network to review an advance copy of Slice, I jumped on it.

After giving the album a quick listen, I couldn’t believe that I had never paid more attention to Five For Fighting.  Between John’s smooth voice, the amazing melodies, and thoughtful lyrics, I was immediately hooked.  Slice has been on heavy rotation for the last several days and I expect it will be for quite some time.

John will also be hitting the road in October with An Acoustic Evening With Five For Fighting.  He’ll be at the Midland in Kansas City on November 20th (anyone want to buy me tickets?).  Other dates and locations are listed on his site, www.fiveforfighting.com.  In the meantime, you can check out the video for the  single “Chances” on YouTube.

You can pick up Slice on October 12th, or pre-order it now so you don’t forget!  For the latest updates, connect with John on Facebook or Twitter.

Disclosure: An electronic copy of the cd was provided by One2One Network for review purposes.

A couple of weeks ago I was sent a copy of the new Kenny Loggins cd, All Join In, from the One2One network.  I’m not a huge Kenny Loggins fan myself, but since my kids both love listening to music, I thought I’d give it a chance.  I was pleasantly surprised when I turned it on.  There are some great songs on All Join In, including old favorites like “You’ve Got A Friend In Me”, and some new material from Kenny as well.  The kids really enjoyed the album and I have to say it was pretty good from an adult perspective as well.

Want to hear it yourself?  Walt Disney Records and Kenny Loggins are offering up four free MP3s from the album in exchange for answering a short survey.  To get your four free downloads, follow these simple instructions:

1) Go to http://wdig.vo.llnwd.net/d1/walt_disney_records/Kenny_Loggins/Microsite%202/
and listen to the 4 songs on the music player. (I couldn’t get the player to open in Firefox, so you may need to try a different browser if it doesn’t show up. It seems to work fine in IE)
2) Answer the survey questions listed on the site.
3) Make sure to leave a valid e-mail address and you will be sent a link to download your 4 free MP3s.

The One2One Network recently offered up an opportunity to review the new Rock of Ages: Original Broadway Cast Recording and I jumped at the chance.  All it took was one look at the track list to know I would love this album.  I am a child of the 80′s after all!  The track list is truly amazing, including many of my favorite 80′s tracks like Heaven, Sister Christian, Every Rose Has It’s Thorn, and Can’t Fight This Feeling.  Oh, and if that isn’t enough, it also features a guy named Constantine Maroulis, who some of you might remember from a little show called American Idol.

Here’s a little bit about the show itself:

Rock of Ages is the new Broadway musical starring American Idol finalist Constantine Maroulis. Set in 1987 in a legendary Sunset Strip rock club, a small-town girl meets a big-city dreamer and they fall in love to the greatest metal songs of the 80′s. The musical is an arena-rock love story told through the mind-blowing, face-melting hits of Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, Reo Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Foreigner, Twisted Sister, Poison, Asia, Whitesnake and more.

While I really wish I could have a chance to see it on Broadway, the cd definitely does not disappoint.  As is stated in the making of the soundtrack video, it is like a perfect 80′s mix tape.  I’ve listened to it in my car and over and over again at work.  If you’re expecting a perfect replica of the original songs, you’ll have a few surprises.  But, if you keep in mind that the songs were recorded as part of a musical, you’ll love it.  There is quite a bit of dialogue included in the recording as well, which helps you picture a bit of the story as you move through the songs.  For me, the dialogue is a bit distracting, but I think it would help if I had seen the show and had all of the pieces of the story in my head.

I’ll definitely keep listening to the soundtrack and hope that someday I’ll get a chance to see Rock of Ages on stage!

Want to see the track list?  Of course you do!

Just Like Paradise / Nothin’ But A Good Time
Sister Christian
We Built This City / Too Much Time On My Hands
I Wanna Rock
We’re Not Gonna Take It
Heaven/More Than Words / To Be With You
Waiting For A Girl Like You
Wanted Dead Or Alive
I Want To Know What Love Is
Cum On Feel The Noize / We’re Not Gonna Take It (Reprise)
Harden My Heart / Shadows Of The Night
Here I Go Again
The Final Countdown
Any Way You Want It / I Wanna Rock (Reprise)
High Enough
I Hate Myself For Loving You / Heat Of The Moment
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Can’t Fight This Feeling
Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Oh Sherrie
The Search Is Over
Don’t Stop Believin

Seriously good songs, you guys. You can pick up your own copy of Rock Of Ages on Amazon and I highly recommend that you do.

If you’re a fan of Dancing With the Stars then you have no doubt heard of Mark Ballas and Derek Hough.  What you may not know about these two professional ballroom dancers is that they have been playing and making music together for more than a decade.  While dancing their way to stardom, they both dreamed of a career in music and worked tirelessly toward that goal.  Along with drummer Harry Sullivan, pianist Emily Grace, and bassist Sam Marder, they formed the Ballas Hough Band.

On March 10th the Ballas Hough Band released their debut CD, BHB.  The majority of songs on BHB are originals, based on personal life experiences.  The first single, “Do It For You,” was co-written by new American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi.  The album also features collaborations with songwriters Dan Wilson, Kevin Kadish and Marty James.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I popped the CD into my player.  While I’m not generally a fan of pop music, I was impressed with the Ballas Hough Band right away.  The first few seconds of  “Do You Love Me” had me ready to dance in my seat.  As the CD progressed, I found myself bopping along to the catchy hooks and rhythms.  However, for me the real gems are the slower songs such as “Longing For” and “Underwater.”

After listening to BHB, it is obvious that Ballas and Hough are much more than skilled dancers.  They are musicians at heart and I have a feeling they will be around for years to come.

Once the Spring season of Dancing With The Stars wraps up, Ballas Hough Band will be heading out on a summer tour across the U.S.  You can find more information about the tour on their MySpace page.