2002

2002 / 2007 / 3 stars / gemma hayes / june is for women / reviews / singles — No Comments
18
Jun 09

Night On My Side (2002) by Gemma Hayes

gemma hayes night on my side

Gemma Hayes
Night Is On My Side
2002, Source Records/Astralworks
pop
3½

Hailing from Ireland, Gemma Hayes is another distinctive female voice I’ve recently found. While this album is from 2002 and therefore a bit old, it still has an appeal for those of us who still remember and appreciate 90′s pop and rock. In fact, I found this album based on its single “Back of My Hand,” which is quite possibly the most 90s-sounding track on the record. Listening to the rest of the album revealed country, acoustic, and dreamscape tinges that were appealing but also disappointing.

At the risk of sounding like an American Idol judge, Hayes voice isn’t merely imperfect – it’s pitchy beyond belief. She needs vocal coaching, particularly when she tries to attempt Sheryl Crow’s subtle twang in “Night On My Side” or “Over and Over.” Furthermore, the lyrics are kinda boring. Granted, Hayes has released two more albums since so she’s probably written more songs that actually suit her voice, but from what I can hear this album did not deserve to be nominated for a Mercury Prize, or any prize. It’s well-produced and catchy, but Hayes follows in the footsteps of Aimee Mann in that her voice can be appealing at times but it ultimately detracts from her music.

“Ran For Miles,” “Back of My Hand,” “My God.”
myspace, last.fm
Aimee Mann’s Lost in Space, Provincial Parks’s Iron Ponies EP

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2002 / 4 stars / coldplay / reviews — No Comments
6
Nov 08

A Rush of Blood To The Head (2002) by Coldplay

Genre: alt rock
Rating: ½
Check Out: “The Scientist,” “Clocks,” “Warning Sign,” and “Politik.”
last.fm

As their second album, Rush of Blood was an instant hit for Coldplay and made them the stars that they are today. Unlike their debut Parachutes, Rush of Blood showed an attempt at a more cohesive sound. Every song here seems sonically related to “Clocks,” and that same song has obviously been their inspiration in their future albums.

At its most basic level, this album is not much more different than Parachutes. The addition of two politically-minded songs and the more cohesive sound just camouflages the standalone lyrics that plagued them in the past. The one saving grace for Coldplay was the fact that they could mine Rush of Blood for more radio-friendly singles than they could in Parachutes.

If you’ve noticed, I’m not the most complimentary reviewer of Coldplay, particularly of their newer work. I happened to (and still do) like Rush of Blood, as the rating above proves. My only problem with Coldplay is that they’re now focusing on making all their new work comparable, if not similar, to “Clocks” and “The Scientist.” Vida la Viva was a slight departure, but this band has become a one-trick pony that just bores me.

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2002 / 4 stars / aimee mann / reviews — 1 Comment
28
Feb 08

Lost In Space (2002) by Aimee Mann

Genre: pop/rock
Rating:
Check Out: “It's Not,” “Humpty Dumpty,” “This Is How It Goes,” and “The Moth.”
myspace

There is something haunting Mann's voice. There's a hard edge to it and yet an innocence that reminds you of sunny days in cornfields and massive barbecues on Sunday afternoons. The best part is, most of the songs Mann writes center around drugs, as she was a former drug addict herself. Not the most PC topic, but definitely a compelling one. When couched in her voice, it takes on a patina of old Americana and a different kind of realism that you don't find in cities.

Depending on your musical tastes, this album will either put you to sleep or keep you riveted to your headphones. This is definitely mood music, as every song has its own tone and effect. The only unifying theme here is the obvious guitar and Mann's voice, so be prepared for a roller coaster ride if you're going to actually listen. My only complaint is that Mann's voice is very nasal and can be grating at times.

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