Year in Review - CDs
This is not the typical “Best of” compilation of CDs released in 2005. This is just a small compilation, a handful really,
in no particular order of CDs by artists that appeared on our listening radar as music fans via local clubs and the Internet–
plain and simple.
Only you, the listener, know what you like or don’t like. As fellow music lovers, this is our venue to engage fellow fans of
what hit the right notes for us. Do yourself a favor and check out these artists in 2006.
This is not the typical “Best of” compilation of CDs released in 2005. This is just a small compilation, a handful really,
in no particular order of CDs by artists that appeared on our listening radar as music fans via local clubs and the Internet–
plain and simple.
Only you, the listener, know what you like or don’t like. As fellow music lovers, this is our venue to engage fellow fans of
what hit the right notes for us. Do yourself a favor and check out these artists in 2006.
Artist: Amy Ray
Title: Prom
Label: Daemon Records www.daemonrecords.com
By Sandra T. Molina
The second solo release for Indigo Girl Amy Ray, Prom is a mesh of tantalizing guitar pop, thriving
punk chords and thought provoking lyrics about what it means to be an outsider whether in society
or in your own skin. The CD opens magically with two of the most radio-friendly songs that will never
hit the mainstream radio waves – “Put It Out For Good” and “Driver Education.” With its catchy opening
riffs and thwack of snare and bass drum, the latter song is irresistibly contagious. I dare you to be able
not to hit the repeat button again and again. And even if you don’t, the rest of the tracks are just as
undeniably worthy of repeat listening.
Title: Prom
Label: Daemon Records www.daemonrecords.com
By Sandra T. Molina
The second solo release for Indigo Girl Amy Ray, Prom is a mesh of tantalizing guitar pop, thriving
punk chords and thought provoking lyrics about what it means to be an outsider whether in society
or in your own skin. The CD opens magically with two of the most radio-friendly songs that will never
hit the mainstream radio waves – “Put It Out For Good” and “Driver Education.” With its catchy opening
riffs and thwack of snare and bass drum, the latter song is irresistibly contagious. I dare you to be able
not to hit the repeat button again and again. And even if you don’t, the rest of the tracks are just as
undeniably worthy of repeat listening.
Artist: L.P.
Title: Suburban Sprawl & Alcohol
Label: Light Switch Records www.lprock.com/
By Sandra T. Molina
There’s no getting around it. Suburban Sprawl & Alcohol with its hook-laden songs, mind penetrating
melodies and the strongest lead singer in rock today – indie or otherwise – is a must for anyone CD rank.
Led by lead singer and songwriter, L.P., this five-piece band’s live sound is captured, and yes polished, on
their second release. Opening with the can’t get it out of my head even if I wanted to “Wasted” – the CD is
one track-after-another of great rock ‘n’ rollers or sweet and sexy ballads tinged with a bit of the blues.
Title: Suburban Sprawl & Alcohol
Label: Light Switch Records www.lprock.com/
By Sandra T. Molina
There’s no getting around it. Suburban Sprawl & Alcohol with its hook-laden songs, mind penetrating
melodies and the strongest lead singer in rock today – indie or otherwise – is a must for anyone CD rank.
Led by lead singer and songwriter, L.P., this five-piece band’s live sound is captured, and yes polished, on
their second release. Opening with the can’t get it out of my head even if I wanted to “Wasted” – the CD is
one track-after-another of great rock ‘n’ rollers or sweet and sexy ballads tinged with a bit of the blues.
Artist: The Willies
Title: Low Ceiling
Label: None www.willies.net
By Sandra T. Molina
The latest release by The Willies, Low Ceiling, is lead singer and songwriter Damon Pipitone’s railing
against the music industry and its anointment of all that is flash, dispensable and easily consumed. Filled
with Willies’ trademark harmonies, top-notch musicianship and Pipitone’s wryly curious and on-the-mark
observations, this CD is a must for any music lover who likes to be amused as he taps his toe, bops his
head to good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll tinged with other musical influences in the same vein as Tom Petty and the
Heartbreakers, Elvis Costello and Wilco.
Title: Low Ceiling
Label: None www.willies.net
By Sandra T. Molina
The latest release by The Willies, Low Ceiling, is lead singer and songwriter Damon Pipitone’s railing
against the music industry and its anointment of all that is flash, dispensable and easily consumed. Filled
with Willies’ trademark harmonies, top-notch musicianship and Pipitone’s wryly curious and on-the-mark
observations, this CD is a must for any music lover who likes to be amused as he taps his toe, bops his
head to good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll tinged with other musical influences in the same vein as Tom Petty and the
Heartbreakers, Elvis Costello and Wilco.
Artist: Brandi Carlile
Title: Brandi Carlile
Released by: Columbia www.brandicarlile.com/
By D. E. Keith
It’s no wonder that Rolling Stone named Carlile an “Artist to Watch.” Teamed with Tim and Phil Hanseroth
(a.k.a: the Twins) or going it alone, you will find impressive songwriting, good musicianship and arrangements
from Carlile and company on this maiden release. Carlile has a strong likable vocal style that brings out the
intensity in the words. Her style is slightly remincent of Catie Curtis. Hopefully this artist will find a niche and
an audience at Columbia. If not, the indie community will be proud to claim her as their own.
Title: Brandi Carlile
Released by: Columbia www.brandicarlile.com/
By D. E. Keith
It’s no wonder that Rolling Stone named Carlile an “Artist to Watch.” Teamed with Tim and Phil Hanseroth
(a.k.a: the Twins) or going it alone, you will find impressive songwriting, good musicianship and arrangements
from Carlile and company on this maiden release. Carlile has a strong likable vocal style that brings out the
intensity in the words. Her style is slightly remincent of Catie Curtis. Hopefully this artist will find a niche and
an audience at Columbia. If not, the indie community will be proud to claim her as their own.
Artist: Girlyman
Title: Little Star
Released by: Daemon Records www.daemonrecords.com
By D. E. Keith
Somehow this review was missed last month, but no matter. This CD is too good to be ignored. Girlyman
is a unique trio of talented songwriters and musicians. Their songs are bittersweet and haunting and well
suited to the folk rock genre they embrace (e.g. similar to Indigo Girls). Their harmonies alone will capture
your ears and your heart. If you like to take a mellow musical road than Girlyman should be on your buy list.
Title: Little Star
Released by: Daemon Records www.daemonrecords.com
By D. E. Keith
Somehow this review was missed last month, but no matter. This CD is too good to be ignored. Girlyman
is a unique trio of talented songwriters and musicians. Their songs are bittersweet and haunting and well
suited to the folk rock genre they embrace (e.g. similar to Indigo Girls). Their harmonies alone will capture
your ears and your heart. If you like to take a mellow musical road than Girlyman should be on your buy list.
Artist: Sean Wiggins: The Band
Title: Everyday Life
Released by: Wigmeister Music www.seanwiggins.com
By D. E. Keith
I’ve known Wiggins for a few years now, mostly as a solo artist. Well, the times have changed with this release.
Wiggins has joined forces with a band and released Everyday Life. Mixing some old tunes with the new,
Wiggins breaks out the fun and hits her stride with the band, adding a country flavor to many of her songs.
Her songwriting and vocals are as strong as ever and her demeanor is more laid back and relaxed proving
once again the incredible power of playing with other musicians. This is another strong release for Wiggins.
Keep smilin’ girl, you’ve hit another home run.
Title: Everyday Life
Released by: Wigmeister Music www.seanwiggins.com
By D. E. Keith
I’ve known Wiggins for a few years now, mostly as a solo artist. Well, the times have changed with this release.
Wiggins has joined forces with a band and released Everyday Life. Mixing some old tunes with the new,
Wiggins breaks out the fun and hits her stride with the band, adding a country flavor to many of her songs.
Her songwriting and vocals are as strong as ever and her demeanor is more laid back and relaxed proving
once again the incredible power of playing with other musicians. This is another strong release for Wiggins.
Keep smilin’ girl, you’ve hit another home run.
Artist: Grey Delisle
Title: Iron Flowers
Released by: sugarhillrecords.com www.greydelisle.com/
By D. E. Keith
Being a purist at heart, I have a problem with what passes as Country music. In my opinion, Country music
today is just mainstream pop with a twang and a cowboy hat. So listening to Iron Flowers was a welcome
surprise. Delisle and her band have produced a very likeable country / country blues CD. Delisle exhibits
impressive songwriting techniques that bring forth imagery of life in a country town – hanging out at bars or
eating at truck stops. There’s an old saying: give ‘em a KISS (a.k.a. Keep It Simple Stupid) and Delisle does
just that. The songs are all classic country themes, (i.e. love, heartbreak and honky tonk’s) performed simply
and impeccably by Delisle in a sultry sexy vocal style reminiscent of a few classic country singers. Delisle
does the Country blues genre proud and her rendition of Queens Bohemian Rhapsody ain’t bad either.
Title: Iron Flowers
Released by: sugarhillrecords.com www.greydelisle.com/
By D. E. Keith
Being a purist at heart, I have a problem with what passes as Country music. In my opinion, Country music
today is just mainstream pop with a twang and a cowboy hat. So listening to Iron Flowers was a welcome
surprise. Delisle and her band have produced a very likeable country / country blues CD. Delisle exhibits
impressive songwriting techniques that bring forth imagery of life in a country town – hanging out at bars or
eating at truck stops. There’s an old saying: give ‘em a KISS (a.k.a. Keep It Simple Stupid) and Delisle does
just that. The songs are all classic country themes, (i.e. love, heartbreak and honky tonk’s) performed simply
and impeccably by Delisle in a sultry sexy vocal style reminiscent of a few classic country singers. Delisle
does the Country blues genre proud and her rendition of Queens Bohemian Rhapsody ain’t bad either.
Artist: Deena Rubinson
Title: Goodbye Cinderella
Label: Light Switch Records www.deenarubinson.com
By Sandra T. Molina
“I have tried to be Cinderella…And everyone bought it too readily/But eventually I missed my corn nuts and
beer” opens singer/songwriter Deena Rubinson’s CD, Goodbye Cinderella, which displays a playful attitude
that most singer-songwriters don’t possess. They are usually busy trying to be too serious and earnest while
forsaking the simple pleasure of the music. It’s not to say that Goodbye Cinderella doesn’t have its serious
moments with beautiful ballads, but it is interspersed with pop gems that Ashlee Simpson and her ilk only
wished they had the talent to pull off.
Title: Goodbye Cinderella
Label: Light Switch Records www.deenarubinson.com
By Sandra T. Molina
“I have tried to be Cinderella…And everyone bought it too readily/But eventually I missed my corn nuts and
beer” opens singer/songwriter Deena Rubinson’s CD, Goodbye Cinderella, which displays a playful attitude
that most singer-songwriters don’t possess. They are usually busy trying to be too serious and earnest while
forsaking the simple pleasure of the music. It’s not to say that Goodbye Cinderella doesn’t have its serious
moments with beautiful ballads, but it is interspersed with pop gems that Ashlee Simpson and her ilk only
wished they had the talent to pull off.
©Indietude.com 2006
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