CD Review: Cincere - 'Me'

All CD Reviews are written by Michael Canter or Brooke Horrocks unless otherwise stated. Both write exclusively for Jivewired and SoinicJive. If you would like your CD reviewed please contact us at info@sonicjive.com and thank you for reading.



Release Date: 27-November-2009

Genre: R&B/Pop/Neo-soul

Format: MP3

SonicJive: http://www.sonicjive.com/Cincere

Publisher: 2009 Cincere/Team Loyalty Entertainment

Total Time: 50:28

Review Date: 29-December-2009


(click cover art to purchase)

Track Listing:

01. Don't Leave Me 3:28

02. Radio 4:08

03. My Way Home 3:08

04. Split 3:53

05. Photoshoot 4:10

06. Me 3:48

07. Take My Time 4:08

08. Never Fall (Interlude) 1:52

09. Spend On You 3:15

10. Stop 3:56

11. Beautiful 3:48

12. Stay 4:15

13. Shorty You're A Star 3:37

14. I Do (Bonus Track Remix) 3:35

Review:

Always considered a hot local act, Milwaukee's premier indie R&B performer Clyde Dangerfield, aka Cincere, has all the ingredients to take his career to the next level. His fan base is adoring, diverse and uniquely indiscriminate, which will allow Cincere to easily crossover into R&B, pop and hip-hop markets. His music stays soulfully true to his R&B roots while still maintaining a fresh appeal. His interest in promoting social change has made him an inspirational leader among his peers and a favorite with political leaders, educators and parents. All that aside, the man has talent, and Cincere proves it on his sophomore release, "Me".

Possibly the most impressive thing to me about Cincere is his natural ability as a poet and wordsmith. In a genre that has devolved into a sterile, producer-driven affair that is nearly devoid of any real lyrical substance, Cincere remains fluent and smooth with his delivery. He is always creative with his content, always relevant and consistently pleasing to the ear. And, he has accomplished it all in perfect metronome swagger, with humbled confidence to boot. Fans can expect nothing less from this emerging artist.

Underscoring his tremendous lyrical and vocal skills, Cincere aptly blends synth beats and samples to bring a vitality and life to his work. His transitions are flawless and his rhythms are sharp, focused, and on point. It’s his record. It’s his show. His quiet confidence combined with an innate sense for beats, tempos, and rhymes is a direct reflection of his abilities as a performer. Best of all, he can get down 'n dirty soulful when the mood strikes, as evidenced on songs like "Stay", "Take My Time" and "I Do", a bonus remixed version of a single from his first album.

Favorites on this LP include "Photoshoot" and "Take My Time", both featuring a guest appearance by rap and hip-hop performer Scalez. In fact, the dynamic between the two performers is incendiary. I was immediately impressed by the storytelling ability of the duo and their collaboration yields solid deliveries and meaningful lyrical rhymes.

The true standout compositions however, are the title track "Me", a collaborative effort featuring Bo Deal, and "Stay". Deal has worked with the best in soul, hip-hop and rap, including heavy-hitters Gucci Mane, Juelz Santana, OJ Da Juiceman, Omarion, Paul Wall and T.I. His work with Cincere stands shoulder to shoulder with any of these artists.

On "Stay", Cincere is at his soulful, aphrodisiac best, right up there with the likes of Usher, Anthony Hamilton and Carl Thomas. This song has all the elements of a true R&B hit - the type of song that you add to your personal "love mix" or "pillow talk" CD. The song oozes sexuality by being sublimely expressive without being overtly aggressive, and that after all, is quiet confidence defined. This is honest, adult-themed, soft-core R&B and "Stay" is the highlight of this album.

On "Me", Cincere has provided a commercial album with a purpose. He wears the label "emerging artist" quite well and shows considerable maturity both musically and in his vocal delivery. Songs like "Don't Leave Me" and "Find My Way Home" seem perfectly capable of being remixed into dance versions that would play perfectly in the club scene. This type of divergence only adds to Cincere's potential. Look for big things from this artist in 2010 and beyond.

-- Michael Canter
www.sonicjive.com

CD Review - Merrill 'A Beautiful Disaster'

All CD Reviews are written by Michael Canter or Brooke Horrocks unless otherwise stated. Both write exclusively for www.jivewired.com and www.sonicjive.com. If you would like your CD reviewed please contact us at info@sonicjive.com and thank you for reading.



Release Date: 30-September-2009

Genre: Rock/Pop/Happy Hardcore

Format: CD

SonicJive: http://www.sonicjive.com/merrill

Publisher: Synergy Music LLC

Total Time: 39:01

Review Date: 29-December-2009



Track Listing:

01. Alive 3:35

02. The First Time 3:50

03. Little Miss Pretentious 3:31

04. It's U 3:33

05. Walk Alone 5:14

06. Just Do 4:12

07. Another Yesterday 3:30

08. Let Me Go 3:38

09. The One Thing 3:59

10. Save Me 3:59

Review:

Merrill's "A Beautiful Disaster" is about as distinct as they come. The album is an open-ended story of love and loss, coping with the residuals of success and failure, and the process of moving on to awe-inspiring heights. It's unmistakably straightforward, and there aren't many surprises behind the scenes; Merrill tells it like it is and the storyline unravels without hesitation. The music functions similarly by creating a strong base for the vocals and moves through its musical landscape with great efficiency and skill. Together these forces work flawlessly to craft a balanced album of noteworthy accomplishment and surely merits some sort of formal discussion.

Based out of Portland, Oregon, Merrill is the song-based project of Chris Merrill and Robert Finn. The band released their debut CD "Evolutions" in 2008 and the follow-up is a more polished and succinctly arranged release that manifests itself through catchy musical hooks and indelible melodies. Merrill retains a strong unity of sound all the way through, and there is a pronounced radio-friendly demeanor to these compositions. Lead vocalist Chris Merrill figures more prominently in the production of this release, seemingly overtaking his accompaniment or at least drawing even with it, and the credit goes to producers Kevin Hahn, Michael Merrill and Anders T. Ramstad. Such subtle changes like pushing the lead vocals slightly forward makes "A Beautiful Disaster" an impressive follow-up. The end result is an album that sounds louder and fuller, boasting a full-band sound and a collaborative dynamic.

Standout songs on the CD include "Alive", "The First Time" and "Another Yesterday". "It's U" has the kind of radio-friendly appeal that would play well as a backdrop to a sports highlights montage. When I hear it I visualize Super Bowl post-game highlights. Perhaps someone should get this song in the hands of the ESPN or CBS network programming departments stat, or maybe the band should go ahead and just create a football highlights video to accompany the song. Personal favorites include "The One Thing" and the slightly more down-tempo numbers "Walk Alone" and "Save Me". On these songs the arrangements focus squarely on the lead vocal/lead guitar interplay and despite the subjacent feel the band manages to maintain that radio-friendly sound.

It is particularly appealing to see the successful evolution of a band as a whole as well as its developing maturation in the recording studio. "A Beautiful Disaster" is a big step forward for Merrill. On "Evolution", I felt at times that the band tended to sound a bit too much like Nickelback. Thanks to some changes in production and arrangement, "A Beautiful Disaster" elevates the band to the next level. The writing, arrangement, and pacing is deliberate enough to create a sensible package yet dynamic and fresh enough to sound inviting. And, best, it leaves you wanting more. There's so much promise here that an even more singular statement is sure to follow.

Michael Canter
--www.sonicjive.com

CD Review - Angela Leo 'Cognitive Dissonance'

Release Date: 01-August-2009

Genre: Indie/Pop/Alternative

Format: MP3

SonicJive: http://www.sonicjive.com/angelaleo

Publisher: 2009 Angela Leo

Total Time: 32:54

Review Date: 28-December-2009



Track Listing:

01. Just Hold On 3:10

02. Unspared 3:50

03. You'd Be Here 3:52

04. Trying 4:01

05. Spring 3:06

06. Waves Of The Tide 3:47

07. The One 2:37

08. Initiates 2:44

09. Beach Song 2:57

10. This Morning 2:50

Review:

"Cognitive Dissonance", defined as having two contradictory ideas at the same time, is the stunning debut album from Angela Leo. A particularly vivid release, Angela crafts a portrait in exquisite beauty - one that haunts and captivates in equal measure. Cinematic in scope and inspired by personal experience, her music is sadly beautiful and tellingly convincing. Often the words "achingly poignant" are used when describing a release that emphasizes the forlorn and anguished, but that is a gross misuse of that descriptive. Achingly poignant fits here thematically because "Cognitive Dissonance" is not a reflection in melancholy but rather an allegory of solace. It resonates in dispassionate narratives minus the heavy heart and woebegone lyrical feel.

Settled within the over-populated cache that is the Los Angeles singer/songwriter indie music scene, it is certainly not easy to stand out in the crowd. Nonetheless, Angela Leo clenches her trump card firmly in hand: she’s equally talented at both performing and writing. Upon first listen, one gets the impression that Leo hears a musical mood first, and then puts lyrics to what she's hearing. Perhaps this is what gives her a sound that remains fresh and innovative throughout the LP. Vocally, Leo works effortlessly within her range. In fact, most of the songs are downplayed in composition, placing the emphasis squarely on Leo's vocals and the album's notable lyric content. Most of the songs are highly introspective. Hardened and hopeful, it seems as if Leo has been heavily pondering the direction of her life along with the places and people that have defined her path.

The elegant, primarily acoustic "Spring" is an absolute masterpiece. In addition to providing a brief acoustic bridge between "Trying" and "Waves Of The Tide", the music captures a combination of wistfulness and ethereal imagery. "Spring" pairs its verses with a glowing and slightly buoyant feel and conjoins a chorus that pushes this combination to its dreamy apex. "Spring" features a rich background arrangement elegantly accentuated with an underscored cello that fleshes out its lyrics in a quixotic fashion. This is the best acoustic poetry I have heard since Heart released "Dreamboat Annie".

Inspired by a fortune cookie, "Waves Of The Tide" is a dose of spiritual pep and happy innocence that perpetuates a cycle of inspiration through destiny, probability or just plain blind luck. Spectral and high-spirited, filled with finger-plucked acoustic guitars and electric folk melodies, Leo floats in on a warm breeze and dwells within. The message is clear - good things come to those who find the inner strength to wait out present circumstance. Musically, "Waves Of The Tide" envelopes the listener in a rich, layered sound that just feels good.

"Beach Song" uses an array of off-beat instrumentation and melodic structure that is a wonderful, lighthearted diversion to the overall theme of the album. It is a great discovery that will grow on you with each listen. "You'd Be Here" features understated backing cello and violin arrangements and is a desirous avidity for love. "The One" is a laid-back, mostly acoustic, Spanish-tinged jam that combines a sun-drenched SoCal mood with a delicious northern California twist. Both are great songs. "Trying" is another standout on the album.

Though she has stated that it had never been her intention to make a record, it is indeed time for Angela Leo to step into the limelight. Based on her debut release, her star is on permanent rise, and all indicators point to a path overflowing with success and accolades. What is so engaging about "Cognitive Dissonance" is how it grows with every listen. Each playback reveals distinct attenuation - a subtle string section, a backing harmony or piano part that had initially gone unnoticed. The arrangements are tightly constructed, offering few temperamental jumps between time signatures and crescendos. Additionally, acoustic guitars and instrumentation layer up on top of each other to create visually lush sequences. The occasional mood shifts certainly keep the listener interested, and with the more uptempo numbers the results are fantastic.

The best description of a great album is that upon first listen it lends itself to an entire world when you close your eyes and lose yourself within. If she has a career worth of songs like these, Angela Leo could find herself at the very top of her genre. Still, nothing wrong with having produced one of the most competent and sparkling debuts of the year. It's a wonderful start.

Michael Canter
www.sonicjive.com

Historic Podcast #050 - Best Of 2009

This week we bring you a very special, double-length podcast featuring our most popular songs of 2009. While you are listening, feel free to check out the Top 50 Of 2009 as voted by our wonderful listeners. Happy Holidays from SonicJive.com and Jivewired.com!

Listener Supported Radio is back at SonicJive.com - I will be hosting a weekly broadcast featuring the latest and greatest songs in the SonicJive.com database. If you are interested in airplay please e-mail your mp3 to info at SonicJive.com -- Stop by to listen at www.sonicjive.com/sonicjivelive and visit Santa's Li'l Helper Kymberly Ann..



Happy Holidays,
Michael Canter
CEO Jivewired.com, LLC

Show Set List "19 December 2009"
Historic Show #050
Listeners Poll - Best Of 2009 Winners



Part I

01. The Ruminant Band by Fruitbats
02. Make You Crazy by Brett Dennen ft. Femi Kuti
03. Bootyfest by Dr. Pants
04. 5 Years Time by Noah & The Whale
05. San Francisco by Brett Dennen
06. Driving Far by Shauna Burns
07. The Ride by Dylan Lloyd
08. All The Beautiful Things by The Eels
09. Beer Garden by Memphis Nights
10. To Be Loved by Joan As Police Woman
11. Sleeping Boy by Grand Harmonic
12. Everywhere by Astronauts Of Antiquity
13. Careless Whisper by Drew Neely
14. New Day by Reflect

Part II

15. Standing Outside A Broken Phone Booth
by Hot Bitch Arsenal
16. Afterglow by The New Collisions
17. I Get By by King Washington
18. Bourgeois Shangri-La by Miss Li
19. Sexy Man In A Death Metal Band
by Jane Carrey Band
20. Tidal Crusher by Cavalier Rose
21. By Your Side by Sharif
22. adrift (lessons in time) by theendisthebeginning
23. Let It Go by Highway Blonde
24. Calling All Crows by State Radio
25. Putting Out The APB by Ana Popovic
26. Eyesore by Janus
27. Wonder Why by Blue Far Down
28. Sit Up by Kill The Alarm
29. Struck Dumb by The Futureheads

Part III

30. serpentile by theendisthebeginning
31. Wake Up Call by Colourslide
32. Digital Love by Bronze Radio Return
33. Girl For All Seasons by The Orange Peels
34. Lie To Me by Cavalier Rose
35. Dreams Come True Girl
by Cass McCombs ft. Karen Black
36. Straight Lines by Charlotte Hatherley
37. She Is Love by Parachute
38. Oceanside (reissue) by The Decemberists
39. She Said by Lissy Trullie
40. Portland, Maine by String Bone

Part IV

41. Especially Alone by Avariel
42. Light At The End Of The Tunnel
by The Blood Sugars
43. Dark Side Of The Dawn by Sharif ft. Rhett Miller
44. One Step At A Time by Mike Zito
45. 23 (reissue) by Blonde Redhead
46. Naked by Leah-Carla Gordone
47. Faith by The Westerners
48. Pearl River by Mike Zito
49. Sweet Loving by Jason Ricci & New Blood
50. Beautiful by Erika Jayne
51. Cry Cry Cry by Jane Carrey Band
52. Hoodoo Man Blues by The Insomniacs
53. Soup Du Jour by Astronauts Of Antiquity