Latest Reviews
December 9
Artist: Exit Clov
Title: Respond Respond
Genre: Rock/Pop
Rating: *****
In the 80's Washington, DC's Exit Clov would have been called a punk band. Times certainly have changed as now they would probably be classified as pop/rock. Ultimately, beyond any labels, Exit Clov is just fun music with a slight political tinge to the lyrics. Vocals by twin sisters, Emily and Susan Hsu, are reminescent of Shonen Knife but with tighter harmonics - it does help to be twins. But the sisters aren't just very listenable vocalists, they also provide violin and keyboards to the band of 5. Overall, the EP is a great introduction to new fans of the band that is on the verge of much more exposure. The band's first music video is now available for "Violent Berries," a softer more melodic song with much commercial potential. For me, the diverse style of the band is represented in the surprisingly dance-oriented "Moving Gaza" which is a great play between political lyrics and fun listenability. Easily Exit Clov is poised to have a great 2007 and if you haven't jumped on Exit Clov yet, catch them now!
Favorite Tracks: "Violent Berries" and "Moving Gaza"
Nels
Artist: Moulann
Title: Spirals & Mazes
Genre: Soul-infused hybrid pop/rock
Rating: ****
Toronto’s own singer songwriter Moulann has bred what she calls her own infused soulful rock which has brought our ears something slightly different from the typical day to day music we’ve been accustom to. This young Chinese Born Canadian introduced herself in 2003 with her first album “Introflective”.
Her latest work of art “Spirals & Mazes” is an amazing blend of sounds that gives the listener a chance to not only hear her lyrics but transform them self into her music. Some of my personal favorites you should pay special attention to are “What Is Love” and “Move On”. When you listen to Moulann’s music you can tell she puts her heart and soul in to every track. This album is definitely worth a listen so go out and support by clicking on www.moulann.com.
Ray
Artist: Lillian Lee
Title: Lillian Lee
Genre: R&B
Rating: ***
Lillian Lee is a new artist who has just released her first album on Multi Level Records. This native Chicagoan brings her throaty voice to the forefront with her self-titled release. Lee's vocals are definitely the highlight of this CD. Her vocal style ranges from a sort of Mary J. Blige to TLC. I think as Lee matures we'll see some creative jumps for the better. For now, her debut CD comes across as more of a demo and originality in the music leaves a little bit to be desired. For instance, "Better Than That" sounds so much like TLC's 1999 hit song "No Scrubs" that you wonder if the only thing changed were the lyrics. It's an easy mistake for a new artist and hopefully it will be overlooked when a second album is released that embraces more creativity and originality.
Overall, songs run the gamut in styles from more hearty soul-infused tracks to pop/r&b tracks to ballads, the most soulful of which is "It's Easy." The track most likely to garner the most attention will be "Close to You" because of the commercial appeal. However, what I'd like to see from Lee is more feeling in her vocal delivery, more attitude, more feeling. That will, ultimately, make her a much stronger artist in the future. Potential - that's what Lillian Lee has and if you treat this debut CD as a freshman start, it's likeable and worth a listen.
Favorite Tracks: "Close to You," "The Way It Used to Be," and "It's Easy"
Nels
Artist: Woody Pak
Title: Mood Spheres
Genre: Electronic/Instrumental
Rating: ****
Woody Pak is an established musician who has provided music for stage and film. This album represents some of the best of Pak's range of works in the appropriately titled "Mood Spheres." Pak's music sets a mood and you can certainly visualize how the music might represent an image if you close your eyes while listening to the album. Much of the album is instrumental but one vocal track is a standout, "Falling Into You." That track is an uptempo, rock-rhythm oriented song featuring the vocals of wife Gloria Lee. "Mood Spheres" is a showcase of some of the diverse body of work that Woody Pak has created. We'll no doubt hear more from Pak perhaps without even realizing, while watching a film, stage score or even a commercial.
Favorite Tracks: "Falling Into You," "Hyped," and "After the Fall"
Nels
Previous Reviews
September 2006 (Music: Megadose Soundflake, Jenny Hyun, Kellee)
August 2006 (Music: Gi, Asian Crisis; DVD: Lumpia Palooza 2)
April 2006 (Music: Kim Del Fierro, Eugene Song; Movies: Take the Lead)
May 2005 (Music: the PACIFICS; Books: What Wendell Wants; Movies: King Fu Hustle, Seoul Raiders, Leave Me Alone; Comedy: Take Out Comedy 2005)
April 2005 (Music: Jargon, Kite Operations, Twilight Sentinels, Jack Tung; Books: What Wendell Wants; DVD: Jin: The Making of a Rap Star)
February 2005 (Music: Jordan Segundo, Bento, Ravish Momin's Trio Tarana, Cynthia Lin; Books: Born to Lose)
January 2005 (Music: Anna Maria Flechero, Kristine Sa, Honore, The Francis Kim Band; DVD: Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle; Movies: House of Flying Daggers, Yesterday Once More; Books: I Do. I Did. Now What?)
December 2004 (Music: Project J, Justice, Lawrence Chang, Erica O'Young)
October 2004 (Music: Slowjam Sessions Volume 1; Movies: Masters of the Pillow, Ong Bak)
September 2004 (Music: Janeska, Elemnop; Books: Total Strength Training for Women)
August 2004 (Music: Benny Mao, Phuz, Bastion, Charlie Liu, Emilio; Movies: Protege De La Rose Noire, Jiang Hu, Moving Targets)
July 2004 (Music: Pam Tan, Mion, Johnny Hi-Fi; Movies: Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle)
June 2004 (Music: Teri Untalan, John Flor Sisante)
May 2004 (Music: Kite Operations, Titofelix; Movies: Star Runner, Herbal Tea, Turn Left Turn Right, Hidden Track, Fantasia, Floating Landscape)
April 2004 (Music: Alvendia, Bryan Chan, Mion, William Hung; Movies: Running on Karma, Anna in Kung Fu Land, Kill Bill Volume 2, Kikujiro, and The Way Home)
March 2004 (Music: Putnam Hall, Organic Thoughts; Movies: Charlotte Sometimes, Infernal Affairs 3; Books: Bringing Down The House)
February 2004 (Music: Vienna Teng, Odessa Chen, Akamai Brain Collective, Justin Young, One Vo1ce, With Love, Stereostar FM)
January 2004 (Music: Chops, One Vo1ce EP, Moulann; Movies: Torque, Good Times, Bed Times, Shiver, Infernal Affairs 2)
December 2003 (Music: The Francis Kim Band, Himalayan Project, Sonic Orange, and Jeff Hsin; Movies: Men Suddenly in Black, My Dream Girl, and The Last Samurai)
November 2003 (Music: Harlemm Lee, Fiona Wong, and Adagio; Movies: Truth or Dare: 6th Floor Rear Flat and So Close)
October 2003 (Music: Kevin So and Kaila; Movies: Marrying the Mafia, Heroic Duo, Kill Bill, and Under the Tuscan Sun)
If you have a have an Asian Pacific American project coming up (MP3s of your music, CD, video, film, book, more?) and are looking for more exposure let us know about it and we will try to review your project so that others can find out more!
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