Sweet Heart Rodeo

Sweet hearted, folk-voiced, and occasional member of Hem, Dawn Landes released her fourth (third if we aren’t counting her self released) album, Sweet Heart Rodeo, Jan. 19. Born in Louisville, Kentucky but based in New York, Dawn Landes combines alternative and country to create a “sweet heart rodeo.” If it were needed to compare her voice to another musician, I’d say a new age Sheryl Crow. If it was needed to compare her music to another musicians, I’d be speechless.

Remember that song a few summers ago, “Young Folks” (Peter, Bjorn & John)? Dawn Landes is known for covering it with the WST Band, while putting a bluegrass spin on it.

The Album starts off alternative with “Young Girl.” With lyrics that start off a little dirty, Landes expresses why she doesn’t like this young girl. “Young girl I don’t like you, everybody wants to stand beside you.” While the lyrics make subtle references to the title of the album, the percussion and guitar are what make this song danceable.

Everyone knows what it’s like to be let down or waiting all day to hear from the man you’re so interested in. Oh, everyone’s had a crush before. “Romeo” is a song about a girl persistently trying to be with this guy, but after being let down for so long she had to let go with the mindset, “What goes around comes around.”

“Money In The Bank” is a song that introduces the horns to the album while slowing down the pace. The most country we find on the album is found in “Sweetheart of the Rodeo.” It’s an upbeat song that puts you in the wild, wild West. Landes took the typical Johnny Cash beat and spiced it up a bit with intense harmonica and pick guitar. Not to mention the baritone male vocals used as an instrument in the background, this is a complete old-fashioned country song. I don’t know why, but to me, it somewhat resembles the Highway Men (“Ghost Riders in the Sky”).

Okay, I’m sure I’m not the only one, but I had this Yamaha Portasound Keyboard when I was in elementary school, and “Clown” certainly starts off with one of those demo rhythms that come with the keyboard. “You know how to shake that thang, run around around again, you-hoo chase anything.” A lot is going on, but with the clapping, kazooing, laughter and lyrics, the song is entertaining and fun.

With a quick guitar tempo while being a chill song, Landes starts to sing about a relationship between two girls who work together. “Little Miss Holiday…” “They put you in a film that you couldn’t play the part of yourself, okay, show your face. No one knows your name.”

Acoustic instruments always grab my attention and I think that’s why I enjoy this folk album. “Dance Area” expresses Landes’ beautiful vocals and musical advice. She says that money isn’t that important but if you’re broke, why not dance since dancing’s free? “If you’re going to be a broke little bunny, you better get on the floor and dance with me.”

In “Brighton,” Landes starts singing an octave higher and pulls it off so well. The combination of her voice and the slow violins in the background, it’s a positive, peaceful song to listen to.

Catchy, catchy, catchy. Less than two minute long, “All Dressed in White” has to be one of the catchiest songs on the album. No, there aren’t any words. There are vocals, but just doo doo’s and dum da da’s. It starts off mixing beats and melodies and then she comes in with her vocal instrumental. The song practically moves directly into, “Tous les garçons et les filles.” I don’t speak French. I don’t really enjoy the French language, but this song is beautiful. Percussion picks up heavy at the chorus and keeps it interesting. I wish I knew what she was talking about. Someone listen to it, translate it, and get back to me.

With the help of Dartmoor Music, Landes kind of chant/sings the final track on the album, “Love.” It’s kind of cluttered and my least favorite song to listen to on the album. Safe to say, if I ever put the CD in I would not go to track 12 willingly. Pretty much the album ends with obnoxious screaming and then a little chuckle from Landes. Meh, maybe some find it creative and fun.

Although this alternative artist has a country vibe to her, I’d consider it folk. Overall, this Sweet Heart Rodeo was almost perfect. All different emotions are expressed throughout the album and it’s easy to listen to. I bought the album on iTunes for $9.99, and I’m definitely not upset with my purchase.

Of The Blue Colour Of The Sky

1/14/2010

After five years of silence from OK Go, they finally release a creative, trippy album, Of The Blue Colour of the Sky . OK Go is best known for their hit single, released in 2006, “Here It Goes Again.” Rather than being the same dance, pop-punk as Oh No was, this album is more artistic and combines multiple genres of music emphasizing synthesizers to create magical beats. Through this album, it’s clear that Prince’s vocals, along with other musicians’ styles, were influences. Needless to say, there wasn’t one specific style or idea for this album.

Starting off with a song titled, WTF?, which was released as their first single from the album last November, the album starts off kind of grungy and loud. Damian Kulash Jr., lead vocals, softens the grunge with his high-pitched singing (not to mention the cowbells). Lyrically, it’s a song that pretty much is asking the question in the title. “WTF is happening? Whatcha do with my head?” Towards the very end of the song, we finally are reintroduced to Kulash’s “Here It Goes Again” voice.

Conan O’Brien accepted OK Go on The Tonight Show, January 8, to perform track 2 on the album, “This Too Shall Pass” with backup vocals from a gospel choir. The song provides distinct bass guitar from Tim Nordwind, and aggressive drumming from Dan Konopka. Yes, the gospel choir did add a motivational feel to emphasize the fact that hard times won’t last.

Eventually, the album loses its originality and OK Go ends up putting a creative spin on other artists’ music. Personally I find the majority of the songs enjoyable, but awfully closely related to MGMT, Daft Punk, Band of Horses, and Prince, all of which are bands I enjoy listening to.

The best track to move to, “White Knuckles” is a combination of Prince’s voice and Daft Punk’s electronic beats. Yes, an interesting combination, but no, not a bad thing. The beat is intense and enticing, while the voice is just as fitting. There are some Prince-like spastic screaming and some mind activating lyrics. “But couldn’t good be good enough, cause nothing ever doesn’t change but nothing changes much.”

The album slows tempo, and mellows the synthpop for “I Want You So Bad I Can’t Breathe” which was featured on the new 90210 series last year. Slower than the other songs, it still is a song that everyone can dance to, like most of the tracks on the album. Kulash has the same Prince-like voice until the next track.

“While You Were Asleep” seems creepy for the first 30 seconds, but as soon as Kulash comes in, the creepiness diminishes and it sounds like a beautiful, wind chime, lullaby. Halfway through, there is a drum roll to prepare for Konopka to pick the beat up. Although it was peaceful and meditating for two minutes, the creepiness picks up at the end to provide is with a dungeon, nightmare feel.

The title of the Album comes from a book by General A. J. Pleasonton, The Influence of The Blue Ray Of The Sunlight and of the Blue Color of the Sky. The album can be found on iTunes for $9.99, and in other stores now. If you want a CD that contains a little bit of everything, with a synthpop vibe to it, then here it is.