A=Awesome B=Beautiful C=Could be better D=Don't quit your day job E=Enough Already F=Forget it,Flush it,#$%^ it
Ward White can be found playing in different clubs like CB's Gallery and Brownies in the New York City area.Ward describes his latest release as "Hank Williams meets The Beatles at Raymond Carver's house".I describe it as "HOT" new stuff that you'll want to listen to over and over again.The difficult factor is in which genre to place this album.It is not overly heavy,but also not depressingly mellow. Dylan-esque middle of the road,and well worth your attention.If you want to get the CD just click here. Or go to our "Buy the CD's" page.
D.C.-Nice country rock tune with some solid drumming and some deep lyrics.The band has some tight changes.Ward does a nice job on the vocals,and I liked the drop in tempo for the guitar solo.(A+)
C.S.-Good opener.Catchy,pop-esque guitar and vocals. This band holds together really well.(B+)
TRACK 2
Country Music Highway
D.C.-I liked the layered guitar effects in this tune. The lyrics are thought provoking with well sung passages.Phoebe Summersquash (by the way,this is a way too cool name!!) is an amazing drummer putting in just the right fills for accentuation.Tight arrangement.(A+)
C.S.-Another pop-like song with a very slight country tint to the music.I like the cross-genre mixture.Some nice slide guitar throughout the number.(B)
TRACK 3
I Don't Dance
D.C.-Who uses tremeloe anymore? This band that's who and all I can say is "Bravo!".Mellow,but not enough to put you to sleep.The addition of a string section gives the song depth and originality.I love the bass chops and the guitar is very impressive.(A+)
C.S.-Nice ballad in 6/8 time.I like the guitars' effects on ths track.Also the use of strings add some nice color.(B)
TRACK 4
Valerie
D.C.-Fantastic guitar work with some slick chops and sharp changes.Ward shows some of the range he has in his vocals.The only problem with this tune is it is too short.The song is finished before it gets cookin', it ended luke-warm.(C+++)
C.S.-I like the guitar riffs on this tune.This is a very strong ballad with lots of diversity and excellent musicianship.Lot's of extras with the organ and guitar harmonics.(B++)
TRACK 5
Baby
D.C.-We move into a much heavier sound with a rockin'
number.I felt this coming from a Clapton influence with the intricacies of his material.This serves well to indicate the variables of this artist.Ward is not locked into a singular genre,therefore giving the listener more for their money.(A++)
C.S.-This track is a much needed change on this album.It's a little more upbeat than the previous few songs.The contrasting tones between the acoustic and electric guitars swapping between the verses and the chorus.Keyboards are also a nice touch.Probably the best vocal performance on the album.This is an extremely grand sounding addition to the album.(A++)
TRACK 6
Artificial Light
D.C.-The title track of the album grabs your attention with the vocal effects against the clean acoustic guitar sound.Almost has a Pink Floyd feel with it's intensity.Surely the most electrifying number.A great choice to close the album on,because it leaves the listener stupefied.(A+++)
C.S.-The vocal effects are a welcomed change.They are a good attempt to try to diversify the album. Excellent chord structure,also.The guitar filler about 3/4 of the way through the song is very mellodic and fits the song structure well.Excellent song.(A++)
Chris' overall impression:
This album was definitely a pleasure to review.It is certainly a more melodic album than I am used to reviewing.The band has a good feel for song structure and melody,and how it all goes together.I definitely recommend this album to casual and hardcore listeners alike.Its most noticeable flaw is its lack of length. Raking in at only 6 tracks it may be tough to justify calling this an "album".(B++)
Donna's overall impression:
I found Ward White to be a very unique artist.His vocal abilities are tops in the field.His musicianship is superb with an innovative flair.He has certainly mastered song structure and arranging.
What really amazed me was the variety of the music with only six tracks on the compilation.I can only hope that the next Ward White release will be an album with eleven or more tunes.This six track release was enough to heighten my interest in this artist,and I know it will for you.Grab this one from our "Buy the CD's page.Or just pop into Amazon.com and pick it up,and if you want call Plump Records to order your copy.(A+)
So until next time keep your ears to the tunes, your eyes on the road,and keep in touch....Donna.
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