I attempted to make a laser lightshow background, but it was taking too long and people at work now think I am perverted. So I opted for Package 2: 11 wallets, 2 8X10s, 10 stickers on Background #2 (all is explained below).
The original intent of aforementioned ghetto website was to have a forum where Sergio and I could play pretend music reviewers and flog one another publicly. Well, Sergio has dropped off the face of the (internet) earth, so it's me, me, me!! Until I can reconile blog and site into one coherent monster, I will leak my brain into this blog.
Below is my most current album criticism, Rachael Yamagata's Happenstance:
Rachael Yamagata’s single “Worn Me Down” is so saccharine sweet, polished off with just enough bitter angst and a little Avril Lavgine/Gwen Stefani you go girl power, at times it can curdle inside your stomach. My gut reaction was to crown her the poor man’s Fiona Apple, but she more closely resembles the rich daddy’s girl’s Fiona. And I like it.
The album sounds uber produced. Remember in elementary school when you would take wallet sized photos by the semi-pedophiliac photographer who would tell you to lick your lips and say peaches (that sounds even creepier in print). Miraculously, and tackily, some kids photos had hot pink, electric blue and snot green lasers tacked onto their background to give it that extra tada! Happenstance is that unlucky 4th grader. And I like it. “Worn Me Down” and “Reasons Why” were made to tug at the heart strings of VH1 listeners young and old alike and leave them pulling at their hair and asking “Why, why did he leave me” even though they really don’t relate. The album feels like an Epcot Center of musical genres: Say hello to Billie Holiday in “Quiet.“ You can visit the bluesy South via “Paper Doll.” Ooh, that twang reminds me of a cool breeze and waiting for mama to bring me some ice tea and cornbread. Cue Dobro. Fiona Apple as a ubiquitous giant Mickey Mouse is hiding throughout the park. But no one can seem to find Rachael. Although this diversity could represent flexibility in style and influences, I am not thoroughly convinced in this case. It seems the styles came after the songs were penned. Obviously, Yamagata’s true state is simply a piano and her smoky voice, but it is all slathered in butter and sprinkles on many of the tracks.
After all of this, why do I like it? The same reason I secretly tolerate country music, Journey or anything so shameful –it has super melodies/hooks and is straightforward: You’re gone, I’m sad. You’re here, I’m happy! (seriously, that may be an actual lyric). It’s such a nice break from all of the Nietzsche and Notes from the Underground I am reading and Philip Glass I’m listening to. I do enjoy when her voice reaches the far end of her range and it sounds like she’s gasping for air just as someone stepped on her toe mid lyric. The arrangements are above average and I am also for the promotion of the piano as a valid pop instrument.
If all of this nonsense was too inane to understand, I can provide a brief summary: Worn Me Down has been featured on the O.C and in American Eagle stores. Easy enough.
