Album Review - Taylor Swift, Fearless

Well---This is way out of my realm of a CD that I would purchase for my collection, but friend at work and Rolling Stone had good things to say about the album. Well--initial thoughts as I listened to it:

(1) Natalie Maines album if she would have written songs in high school
(2) Pop-ish, very little of a country nod
(3) Did she write these songs?
(4) Innocent
(5) I fail to understand how she is classified as a country artist--although I can hear hints of when Faith Hill tried to cross over to pop.

The first three songs were pretty catchy ("Fearless", "Fifteen" and "Love Story") from a top 40 radio feel. After that, nothing really stood out, except one line from the song "The Best Day" - The line goes "And I love you for giving me our eyes". There was nothing else that really grabbed me on the rest of the album.

I give major credit for this not becoming someone else who sings the song others write, it does seem that Swift has writing credit on every song even when there are collaborators/co-writers. There is so much that gives off an innocent/pure vibe on this CD--I mean, this is something I would want my little girl to listen to if I ever have one.

For me though---it just sounded like a muted Averil Lavigne CD. Taylor Swift seems to know where she is going and going there the right way...I can see why there are a lot of people listening to this disc--just not the one for me. I give it 2.5 stars out of five.

Album Review - Pearl Jam, TEN Re-issue

When I heard about this album be re-released with the bands blessing and want to remaster it seemed somewhat interesting to me. The fact that this album blew the band out to the public eye and made Pearl Jam a household name would seem to me to hold a special place in the heart of the band. In any event, walking through Target the other day reminded me of this release, so I picked it up and hoped for the best!

So---how does one listen and compare an original to the new remaster? I opted to listen to the old or original Ten and take down some notes.
(1) echo-ey in some places
(2) Veddar vocals seem drowned in some places by the music
(3) Fuzzy, distorted at times.

In all though, I walked away with a solid album of music that brought back a lot of memories. Then I put in the remaster...and immidiatly it changed my listen...the sound was much more crisper and tight. The reissue sounded more produced is a better word, while the original got the "sound" hat was going crazy at the time---the grungy, murky feel. I really enjoyed hearing the guitars clearly ring out, some better bass exposure in the music and less of the echo on Vedders voice. Highlight for me on the reissue was State of Love and Trust---simply love it---from one of the best soundtracks ever SINGLES.

Both are good in their own right--I recommend both for what the albums are/were at the time of release. Only get the re-issue if you are interested in hearing more/differences in the instraments or the differing band vision of what the record should have been....

Vote for your favorite Midwest Craft Brewery!!!

Take some time out to vote for your fav here in the Midwest. The choice was surprisingly difficult for me, but as always I prefer to keep my vote "secret"!

This blog will be up and running again...soon!

With all the craziness going on here in the NorthEast, this blog fell to the wayside. Well no more! Very soon I will start updating and posting A LOT. I tend to hibernate during the winter and not get out much, but when the warm weather is here---I am back out!