Getting it right (Caitlin Rose)

Caitlin Rose - Cazimi (2022) ***

Nominated by: Lewis K

Music club: MNAC

MNAC playlist addition:  Gemini Moon

I really enjoyed Cazimi! 

She sounds a little like Jenny Lewis at times (and I love Jenny Lewis' voice), and a few other female singers that I can't put my finger on right now. It's a modern kind of sound that these modern types have tuned into and it's very easy on the ear. Maybe they are their own sub genre in the pop/rock genre.

Caitlin sounds a lovely mix of alt country, Americana, folk and pop.

It's a strong album - no duds/skips, with Gemini Moon my clear stand out - I hit repeat on this track every time I listened to the album, and Holdin' was another firm favourite.

Not much more to say really - a winner winner chicken dinner Lew. Thanks for the introduction.

Hands of my heart

The Warratahs - Only Game In Town (1988) ***

Nominated by: K S

Music club: Wander to Wozza's

Playlist addition:  Hands Of My Heart

I can well understand the appeal of country music for Kevy and millions of others. There is a high authenticity level that good country music consistently meets (like The Warratahs and The Hamilton County Bluegrass Band). No eighties pesky drum machines, synthesizers or high falutin' attitudes. No sirree Bob.

The Only Game In Town was the debut album and a shot in the arm for Nu Zild country music in the late eighties.

How has it stood up to the ravages of time? Well, pretty well actually because it doesn't bow down to those eighties production values that immediately date records. 

I do like my country with a bit of a pop attitude, so Hands Of My Heart is my clear standout track.

Worthy of note: the Nu Zild context-o-meter has a high reading with a couple of local references, however, the American accented singing at times tries to play it both ways, It's probably an unconscious thing on Barry Saunders part, but it does detract a tad from my listening pleasure.

A very minor point though, as the spirited performances and the honest Joe, wide open country, vibe is very much present and correct from Barry and the boys.

Nice one Stu!

'Cause I don't care for your fairy tales (Sara Bareilles)

Sara Bareilles - Little Voice (2007) ** 1/2

Nominated by: GK

Music club: Wander to Wozza's

Playlist addition:  Bottle It Up

Before GK nominated this as his album of the week, I had tried in the past to listen to Sara Bareilles a couple of times but without traction.

There's no doubt she's very successful in her field, and she has many awards to her credit, and she may be a very nice person to boot, it's just that the vocal styles of many millennial female singer-songwriters are not my particular cup of tea. 

To my ears they sound too slick, too worked on and too polished, too produced, too interested in being perfect. As Joan Baez says - When you’re trying to make it perfect, trying to make it exactly what you want it to be, then it’s time to drop it into the pool.

I can certainly see her appeal. The pop/jazz inflections reminded me at times of Fiona Apple and Diana Krall - both huge in their fields. She writes catchy songs that obviously have touched many people. If my dad was still around he'd be a fanboy, I suspect.

When I listen to music, I prefer the illusion that it wasn't made by machines. Instead, it's the human connection that I love which is one of the reasons why I'm a big fan of live albums. Not saying that Sara isn't human, but the musical backing sounds like it was made then manipulated and tweaked to perfection.

Admittedly, this sub-genre of pop music of the 21st century (adult contemporary female piano pop/soul/jazz) has largely left me behind. It seems crafted for specific radio outlets, and I am no longer the target demographic (if I ever was), which in Sara's case mostly appears to be female millennials like my two daughters.

Maybe I've just had enough of silly love songs! My attention kinda drifted away each time I listened.

It's not like there is a shortage of music out that that I'd rather listen to, so, I'll stick to the grittier side of the street by and large.

I'm sorry this isn't a rave review and is more negative that I'd like - we've been dealing with the death of Jacky's mum this week, which has been difficult for all concerned, and that may have seeped into my thoughts.

Bottom line - I can see why you (and millions of others) like this GK, but it's just not for me.

I guess I'm right on the edge (Floodhead)

Floodhead - Tape Runs Out (2023) ****

Nominated by: Tom

Music club: MNAC

MNAC playlist addition:  Souvenir

Floodhead get a big tick from me. Melodic, proggy, a bit inscrutable (I keep glimpsing fragments of lyrics) and I'm a sucker for layers of distorted guitars (plenty of shoegaze bands spring to mind).

I also like the way it kind of washes over me. I've listened to the album many times in the past fortnight and I have struggled to differentiate individual songs - not a criticism - it's more that it's a cohesive sound and I've enjoyed that aspect of it each time.

Favs: Jab; Overseas Assignment; Souvenir; Pillowtalk

Slight criticism: A couple of the songs didn't do much for me after repeat listens - 90 degrees C frinstance. But they end strongly with the progressive rock stylings of Pillowtalk. 

And, band names are tricky things as you are aware, Tom. Floodhead? What does that conjure up? They could have done better, I feel. 

Nevermind. This is a great find Tom. They deserve to be successful but prog rock is a very crowded market these days. I wish them luck though.