Established December 2003
. . :. :: :.: ::.::: .:. .: : ::: .. :. .:..: :.. :: |
 |
|
|
Cat-Naps #1 |
Cat-Naps
Last Second Comeback
Los Hermanos Rodrgiuez
Carol Bui
|
|
Welcome to Cat-Naps, where if you can't read a review in under 15 seconds (about 150 words or less) it's too long. This is where we take a look at some of the locals, the smaller indies, and other stuff that we aren't sure what to do with. No grades, just the basics...
This week, JN takes a look at three local acts coming to a venue near you.
|
Last Second Comeback - Cornered - 2002
Arlington , VA breeds a certain type of singer-songwriter, and Last Second Comeback does anything but break that mold. Jeff Campagna is the singer-songwriter we speak of, and as light coffee-house fair goes, this is a good CD. It's pleasant on the ears, and it doesn't try to be anything it isn't. Again, not a bad thing, but it's hard to stand out in the crowd when you play this genre, especially in a place that has a lot of similar folks competing for time at the same café's you are. I found myself waiting for someone to plug-in and rock out on a chord or two, and there was a little of that, but not nearly enough. And for God's sake, please oh please get some real drums! Nothing hurts the ears more than a percussionist solely playing the hand-drums.
|
Los Hermanos Rodriguez - Los Hermanos Rodriguez - 2003
"They're not brothers, they're not Latino, and none of them are named Rodriguez" are the excellent first two lines of the liner notes on this album. I could also say that they're not all that memorable of a band either, but something tells me that for everything that isn't on this CD, they make up for when they play live. The 'brothers' play straight up in your face rock and roll, occasionally dabbling in the garage sound we've seen so much of recently, see "American Beauty." And this garage sound also happens to be among their best stuff. The 'brothers' switch up vocal duties on the songs, and stick with the standard guitar, bass and drum triumvirate. Some great guitar licks, especially on "Dario Agento." I'm looking forward to seeing them live, where I think their energy will make up for the slightly off-key singing. Seriously though, I kinda like these guys.
|
Carol Bui - This is How I Recover - 2004
Carol is a singer-songwriter with a conscience. She actually thinks about bass and drum parts, and because of that, her music sounds fuller. This isn't rocket-science, but far too many people in Carol's situation just don't think about it, or they don't care. Now, this isn't to say it always sounds good, it can occasionally be muddled and sometimes it is even hard to hear Carol's voice. But her slower songs benefit from it, like "Hell Banknotes" which sounds rather bluesy, suiting Carol's voice well. The best blues example however, is "Checked for Bruises." There is some great guitar parts throughout, some really good compositions. Given some time, Carol could certainly carve out a niche as a local girl-rocker.
|
|
| If you want BigYawn to review a particular CD, drop us an e-mail at reviews@bigyawn.net |
| ? 2003 redsock |
|
|
|
|
|
