October, '04 Update

School's back in session, and lawn-mowing responsibilities seem to be slowing down, so I can breathe a sigh of relief! Here's some good music to fill that void left by the lack of mowing.

From Outside Sources

• Across the Sky: Modern rock. They could fit onto the edgy side of Adult Contemporary, like Delirious, Sonic Flood, Cool Hand Luke, and Among Thorns. Vocals sometimes remind me of Peter Cetera. [3]
• Smokey Robinson: I'd heard this name for years, but never heard his music. I saw the CD at the library, and decided it was time to hear what he sounded like. High-voiced, lots of breathy falsettos, melodic moaning and melismas backed often by a girlgroup reminiscent of '60s trios. The music varies in style, but stays quite soft. I'd never listened to him on purpose, and likely won't again. He does have some good stuff, but they're not worth all the sticky-stuff to get to 'em. [1-4]
• Starflyer 59 (update): I reviewed this band earlier on a tip from Jeanette Strole. She said they did some hard stuff, but I hadn't found it until now. Their CD, I Am the Portuguese Blues, is great hard rock! The vocals are ethereal, but sandy and fatigued-sounding. It's quite an interesting blend. If you like the heavier stuff on The Newsboys' Thrive album, you might like This Starflyer 59 album. I'd say the sound is similar, but a bit harder than Thrive's heavies. [5]

From the Collection

• Eowyn: Wow! At first I expected music like Evanescence, to which she's often compared, but I don't think that's what I got. Eowyn's got a pleading, often intense, somewhat sandy voice, which sometimes reminds me of Carly Simon. She's a rocker, and the music ranges from soft, but edgy to country rock, and even intense, nearly-industrial stuff. In one of her hits, she hints at an Evanescence-like sound, but that's not her usual style. Keep up the great work! [5]
• Sarah Kelley: Ethereal, often intense vocals. Minor, laid-back almost-soft rock. Imagine Pat Benetar doing slower stuff. There's a fair amount of jangly guitar, but it's not really white-noisy. Sarah's vocals are throaty, sometimes breathy, but not pouty or whining --then a somewhat-gruff Helen Reddy sound slips in. She does lots of stuff with her voice. It's all crisp and clear, powerful and nearly gimmick-free. Beautiful vocal harmonies. The musical style doesn't change much throughout the CD. [4]
• Matthew West: Reminds me of Mercy Me, but livlier, slightly harder rockin', and with a sense of humor. I got to hear him at the Missouri State Fair, along with Audio Adrenaline. His style has lots of sing/talk (melodic speaking?) in the vocals --almost like Riley Armstrong. I got Matt's album, Be Happy. It's got his radio hit, "It's Not the End" which shows his humor pretty good.
  The copyright of the article October, '04 Update in Christian Rock is owned by Paul Landkamer. Permission to republish October, '04 Update in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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