Where has Carina Round been all my life? Certainly not on the airwaves. It's a shame too, because this could quite possibly be some of the best music you'll never hear. Mixtures of blues, jazz and rock can be heard on this spectacular album. This is what Tori Amos, Sarah McLachlan, Gwen Stefani and Fiona Apple would have sounded like if they hadn't sold out. Round delivers raw, immaculate, untouched goodness. Definitely not for those who like order and monotonous, catchy tunes in their music. If you are up to the challenge, fasten your seatbelt and get ready for a ride full of surprises. Fans of Amanda Ghost and Siouxsie and the Banshees will most likely fall in love with Carina.
Spiderbait Tonight Alright (Interscope)
Tonight Alright takes the listener on an endless journey of unstoppable energy. This is the kind of music you listen to while cleaning the house, using a broomstick for a microphone and sliding on the kitchen floor (doing the old Risky Business routine). Most of the songs in this album have an '80s feel to them. This is happy music—profound, sometimes dirty and quite enjoyable. The loud, versatile music is a sugar rush for the ears. Electric guitar sounds of the '80s and early '90s (hence the Breeders, Elastica) are prevalent here. Don't expect every song to be like “Black Betty,” but do expect the same intensity.
Amy Farris Anyway (Yep Roc)
Do we really need another singer like this? I thought we were done with the soft, lifeless sounds of Sean Colvin and Jewel. Apparently not. The only difference here is that Farris has a bluegrass influence to her music that makes the record tolerable. What Farris lacks in vocals, she makes up for in her music. She plays violin and viola quite well. But I still can't get around the fact that she sounds like Brenda Lee on helium. I'd prefer an album with just her violin. Anyway is quite difficult to get through.
