Pretty White Noise

A rather new discovery for me, Laura Burhenn was suggested to me by a nice reader of Womenfolk. He suggested I check out her official site, which I did. From there, I was able to sample a few of her latest songs and decided that she was definitely Womenfolk-worthy.


Wanderlust, which was released in April of 2004, is actually Laura’s second album with Laboratory Records. Her first being 1999’s Not Ashamed To Say. But where as Not Ashamed To Say was more of a piano-only affair, Laura employs a wider array of instruments for Wanderlust to better paint the dreamworld she envelops the listener into.

But to say that Laura’s music evokes dreams and colors doesn’t quite describe her music justly. Yet somehow, it’s the only description that seems to fit. When listening to ‘White Noise’ and it’s sweet, soft pulses, how is it not possible to imagine yourself floating over a silver cloud? ‘Helicopters’ follows a similar soundscape, this time allowing a little more color to shine through it’s musical horizon line while ‘Tattoo’, the most up-tempo of the selections featured here with it catchy chorus, prove that Laura is capable of more than just soft mood music.

Seemingly effortless, Laura’s music, as soft and fragile as it may sound at times, is flowing with the intensity of a star about to nova.


Downloads:
White Noise
Helicopters
Memory
Tattoo

Cover Girls, Vol. 5

Performed live for KBCO radio in Boulder, Colorado in 1999, Joan Osborne sings a very groovy cover of ‘Spooky,’ a song originally performed by Classics IV back more than thirty years prior. Joan’s stripped-down, acoustic approach and her strong, rootsy voice give the classic a nice make-over and proves that a soft drum beat, a couple of guitars and a terrific singer can set a mood as easy as a full-piece orchestra.


Originally appearing on the soundtrack for Shrek 2, Frou Frou’s Imogen Heap provides her unusual and hypnotic voice to ‘Holding Out For A Hero,’ transforming the 80’s hit into an experimental swirl of programming and breathy sampling. If one didn’t know better, they would assume this to be a Frou Frou original, as it fits well into their musical mold.


I always find it interesting when an artist covers a song that isn’t more than ten years old. ‘Tomorrow Never Comes’ was written and recorded by Dot Allison for her 1999 debut, Afterglow. But for whatever reason (perhaps just because she liked the song), Juliana Hatfield covered the beautiful track on her latest album, In Exile Deo. What’s interesting here is that Juliana’s cover of Dot’s song sounds even better than most of Juliana’s original records, as if she’s less erratic and more confident.


Recently made available via Michelle Cross’ official website and taken from a live performance a couple of years ago at the Beat Kitchen, Michelle performs an aggressive piano-laced version of “Come Together.” Definitely worth a listen.


Downloads:

Joan Osborne - Spooky
Frou Frou - Holding Out For A Hero
Juliana Hatfield - Tomorrow Never Comes
Michelle Cross - Come Together (live)

And The Whole Sky Was Singing

When Amy Correia officially arrived with her 6-song EP, Transportation Songs, I was immediately drawn to her song, ‘The Bike.’ A toe-tapping story of a hand-me-down bicycle, the song tells the story of a little girl who becomes the heiress of the rusty bike and recalls the history of her possession while pedaling around town.

Along with the other five tracks (of which ‘Gramophone’ is included) the small collection of songs served as a sampler for Amy’s debut, 2000’s Carnival Love

An acclaimed album by many music critics, Carnival Love completed the journey that Transportation Songs hinted at. It also introduced Amy to an array of talented musicians and the unpredictable world of major labels.

Opening the set is the beautiful and sad, ‘Angels Collide’ and the return of ‘The Bike.’

Drawing comparisons to folk-rock artists like Patty Griffin and Victoria Williams, the album served up as a respectable collection of tunes showcasing Amy’s knack for writing heartfelt short-stories set to music. But ultimately, the album was lost in the shuffle and was unable to reach a large audience.

Now, four years later, Amy is back with Lakeville, whose title refers to the town where she grew up in southeastern Massachusetts.

Recorded in just under a week, Lakeville brought Amy and a small band of musicians together to perform Amy’s new material and a few older songs that she shared only during her live performances. As a whole, Lakeville somehow seems to be a more purer collection of songs, focusing on Amy’s memories of childhood and the experiences she’s had since. ‘Coney Island, USA’ recalls a drunken/sleepy train ride home on the way back from celebrating an old friend’s birthday while the soft and sweet title track pays tribute to her hometown by describing it as “…my pretty little town where nothing ever really happens.”

For more information on Amy, please visit her official site.


Downloads:
The Bike
Gramophone
Angels Collide
Coney Island, USA

Moonlighting With Music

Sometimes the bargain bins are the best place to discover new music without draining your pocketbook. And it was there that I discovered the music of Wild Strawberries, the Canadian husband & wife team of Ken and Roberta Carter Harris.


The band’s official debut was in 1993, although my introduction to their music wasn’t until 1998’s Quiver, which is largely considered their best release (so far). All twelve of the tracks combine a mixture of Roberta’s velvety vocals amidst a backdrop mixture of lush computer-generated sounds and traditional instruments.


With a sound that’s a bit reminiscent of Garbage with a dash of Sarah McLachlan for sweetness, the duo have created a nice collection of experimental pop and smart lyrics.

For a couple who make music as a side-project (they’re both doctors during the day), it’s remarkable that they’re able to put so much quality effort into their recordings and have the time to actively tour and collaborate with other artists (Roberta co-wrote and performed many songs with renowned DJ, ATB). One such collaboration, ‘Long Way Home’ off of ATB’s Addicted To Music, is featured here, proving that dance music doesn’t necessarily have to be just a mind-numbing beat.

As far as I can tell, Wild Strawberries’ last release was 2000’s Twist, an album which continues their signature sound, although perhaps with a tone that is lighter and less melancholy than Quiver. ‘Somersault’ can be found on this release and the album can be purchased as an import through Amazon.com or through their official website.

Alternatively, you could always hope to score a gem in a bargain bin.


Downloads:
Blunt
I Guess I’m Amused
Somersault
Long Way Home (with ATB)