Standing At the Edge, the debut CD from
Casey Stratton is a neatly packaged and somewhat overproduced return to
the days of the sensitive singer/songwriter, say, the mid 70's heydays
of James Taylor and Carly Simon. Stratton, out of L.A by way of Michigan
is a Classically trained pianist who knows his way around a twisted pop
melody ala Tori Amos or Sarah McLachlan. The CD was produced to the nth
degree by Patrick Leonard, who has done the same for the likes of Elton
John and Jewel. This is clearly not a record to rock the house down with,
or even break a lease with, but if you want to impress that 27 year old
bank teller who acts a little bit past her raisin' then, boy have I got
a CD for you.
This is real quiet storm' stuff, pillows
of strings and cottony, massed backing vocals conspire to drain any weight
that Stratton's lyrics might have. The opener "For Reasons Unexplained'
has a haunting quality to it, but I can't tell who's being haunted, or
why. Stratton's voice soars and swoops, very McLachlanly, against a black
velvet back drape of sound, glasslike violins and 90 foot musicboxes, all
in the service of pretty.
While there's nothing intrinsically wrong
with pretty, or pretty for the sake of pretty, some of us may want more.
Stratton is a fine singer and musician, he writes songs that sound great,
but I wonder how these tunes would sound were they performed by Casey Stratton,
alone, at a piano. I wonder the same about Sarah McLachlan.
I'm not trying to dog Mr. Stratton, really
I'm not (well, maybe just a little), I know that million of people live
and breathe for this type of musical wall paper, it's just that every time
I was ready to write this CD off there'd be a little twist in the arrangement,
a high note held just long enough, a space in the production where I could
hear a living, breathing, bleeding artist! A voice beyond technique and
polish. For seconds at a time I felt like I was getting a glimpse at the
true heart behind the handsome face and corporate backing.
I heard parts of a CD I would dearly like
to hear the rest of. But this Standing At the Edge is not it. Hey Casey,
maybe you ought to give John Cale a call; I bet he could make us both happy.
Posted by Bob:
I think Tim doesn't actually have an ear for music or he doesn't just like this particular type of music. Casey has a voice that is amazing. I think Tim needs to visit the nearest Miracle Ear store to get his battery replaced!
Posted by Luke:
For anyone who has not heard Casey's other recorded work, I would suggest you go find it and see other sides of this artist. Casey offers quite a bit of variety in his writing, playing, and singing. A cursory listen to "Standing at the Edge" might not make that fact obvious. Perhaps a little more research into the work of an artist should be made before a judgement is pronounced. Reviews are sometimes the only way people hear about an artist, and negative criticism is helpful to no one. Comparing someone's art to "wallpaper" certainly qualifies as irresponsible reviewing.
I guess I have a real problem with music critics in general. With music being such a subjective thing, I have a hard time seeing the willful demeaning of someone's inner self (his or her art) as being a viable career. Composers throughout history have struggled with this plague (check out the things that were said about Wagner, Brahms, Berlioz, and Korngold in reviews). As for myself, I chose to create music for a living, not tear it apart.
Posted by Maleah:
I was recently introduce to Casey Stratton latest cd "Standing on the Edge," not that long ago while I was wondering around in Borders. I never realize how amazing his voice was and it's a lot different to a lot of the artists I normally listen to such as John Mayer, Joss Stone and so fourth. I prefer artists with raw talents and of course people are going to have different perceptions on what they condsider is "GOOD MUSIC" and I according to my perspective I think he's awesome!!
Posted by Chris:
Might have agreed with your review--until I heard Casey Stratton live @North by Northwest, in Phila, last night. Him and one keyboard-knocked my damn socks off. He has a very terrific and impressive vocal range, a voice that made the members of a club audience, silent at times in awe, and at other times stamping their feet in tempo with his piano playing Lyrics which provided bursts of humor, love lost, love gained. Hearing this one live shows a talent that is more than pretty face and catchy phrases.
Posted by aG:
Got ya Tim, I was pointed to a recent thing you wrote on your site that was along the same lines. Damn, lose one bet and everyone has got to rub it in. Who knew that Carolina could make it that close? Though, I got to say it seemed like watching High School ball for most of the game. Outta here so folks can go back to discussing this Casey Stratton bloke.
Posted by tim:
aG, No wrong way to take it. My view on this writing gig is that while music is the most important thing on very real and spiritual levels, in a course of a review, the music itself is so subjective as to render any one person's opinion meaningless, albeit (possibly) interesting. The real meat is to be found in exploring the work's motivations, goals and what the CD does with it's time in the spotlight. Does it offer hope? Does it allow a vent for rage or sorrow? Does it exist solely to separate us from money? And what's good and bad about all these things?What does it say about us as a society? As fans? People?. Does the motherhubbard rock? (This in and of itself is a good thing. Sometimes the best thing). I find limiting this forum to a never-ending "You suck", 'No, you suck!' debate is a waste of opportunity, technology and, frankly, time. My time, your time, their time. Rock and Roll, in all it's forms, may very well be the only social model we need and while faith can move mountains, you still gotta bring a shovel and work at it, you know? Well, I gotta get to my site and make fun of Neil Young (just kidding!), thanks for reading, everybody. Sorry to hear about the point spread, aG.
tim
Posted by aG:
I hope you didn't take that the wrong way. I was talking about music reviews in general. I write a fair amount myself, so when I say that I include myself in that accessment. I do agree with you on the communication thing. That is one of the great things we get with interactive media opposed to print, the fans get to speak their minds as well. Be it good, bad, or the typical "your a fag" at least it's not entirely one sided from the reviewers perspective. It's just too bad more people don't back up why they like something instead of ripping into the reviewer.
Posted by tim:
aG, Thank you. Yes reviews are b.s! I'm just as fulla crap as anyone! When I dislike (or love) something I always try in some way to explain why. Simply saying something sucks or rocks is not reviewing, it's carping or preaching to the choir. What I try to do in ALL my writing is start conversations with the reader, whether it's on messageboards like this or just in the reader's own head, to themselves. Communication is the goal, isn't it? I regret that the level of conversation isn't as elevated as it might be, but we're all still getting to know each other here. Thanks for yr kind words, aG, and thank you everybody for caring enough to respond at all. I'm sorry we don't all agree on this one, but tomorrow is another day. tim
Posted by aG:
Are these the same reviewers that understand "good music" that call Missy Elliot a genius, praise Kelly Osbourne and Limp Bizkit but trash Led Zeppelin? Please, give me a break. And USA Today is now an authority on music? Maybe Tim was a little cynical when he listened to this thinking that this guy has some talent but it's buried under a wall of production? That was the impression I got from reading this review. And it by no means bashed Casey, he simply critiqued what he found as a major shortcoming of the album. But obviously, others that are more mainstream, let's keep it bland, slick and commercial minded found that aspect of the album an asset. The person posting here as Casey (don't know if it is really him) has the best take on this whole thing and if it is him I do commend him for what he said. But I'll let you in on a little secret that I'm sure Tim knows and anyone who has been a critic for any length of time knows. Reviews are b.s., plain and simple. Because when you break it down, all you do get is one person's opinion. I've always said that people should listen to the music for themselves and decide if they like it. All a review is is simply some insight into one perspective of the CD being reviewed. So take it for what it is worth. But Clark the thing I find really amusing in your post beside the "small site" thing, which is pretty funny especially considering the size of this network and the readership and that you happened to find it, but what was most amusing was you telling Tim to appreciate more types of music. I don't know Tim personally, but I've seen quite a few reviews he has written here over the past few months and if anything he is probably the most well rounded critic that I know about. He has demonstrated a rather eclectic taste in music. So maybe you should take the time to read his other work before firing off a baseless accusation like that. No you won't find Tim in Billboard magazine for the same reason you won't someone that writes for Billboard here, they cater to the banal mainstream because by definition they have to being the "authority" on popular music charts, so they epitimize mainstream, and although the antiMUSIC network is popular, it does not cater to that audience. That market is pretty well covered by the likes of Rolling Stone, Billboard and Spin.
Posted by tim:
Clark, I really was just funnin' with you, but I have to take exception to the remark that 'those reviewers know what music is good' which implies that I don't. Still sounds like you'd like my writing better if I agreed with you on what constitutes 'good' music. To me all music is 'good', there's just some I like and some I don't. It's all simple opinion and we all come with our own biases, that's what makes the world go round and round (like this conversation). Anyway, I think most fans made my point that Casey (who seems like a very nice person BTW) sounds better when it's just him and a piano, so it looks like a win-win situation to me. Oh, and antimusic's readership is 7 million.
Posted by clark:
haha, oh tim. It's ok if you can't understand what i mean. But let me help you understand. Those reviewers know what music is good, and they are not biased. someone on a small website is a little biased. basically the point is you need to learn to appreciate more types of music before you write your reviews.
Posted by Eric Minton:
I work at Billboard Magazine, and Casey Stratton just came in and did a set. It was just him and a keyboard, and yeah, it was good. :) - Eric
Posted by tim:
Clark, so let me get this straight, I'll be a better reviewer if I agree with Billboard and USA Today?
Posted by Casey:
And so it continues...Thanks for your comments Tim and I did not take your words as a personal attack. These message pages can get heated and insults begin to fly. The internet is funny that way. Maybe we should all try to accept all opinions and also remember that we are all human beings-just as I am a performer I am a person, and Tim is a critic and a person and all the rest of us on here are just PEOPLE. Just because someone doesn't like what someone else does or even just points out some observations they had does not mean that anyone has to feel attacked or be attacked. I think I am getting a bit too philosophical! Mushy mushy. The point is that I do greatly appreciate all these people coming to my "defense" but if it doesn't bother me there is no need to get all twisted up over it. So let's all just get along and agree to disagree!!! I would love any of you to come see me live and maybe you will change your minds or not-it's your choice. You can't please everyone-I learned that a long time ago. Peace.
Posted by clark:
hey tim, i'm not saying you're a bad reviewer. i'm just saying that you will probably get better, because right now you are lacking a lot of insight that it takes to be a good reviewer. let's take casey's cd for instance, there's your review, than there's the reviews that billboard magazine gave, and usatoday, and other various magazines and papers nationwide. perhaps you should look at those, and study a little.
Posted by tim:
Casey, thanks for weighing in. I appreciate your level headedness (if that's a word). Apparently I need to see you live and solo, which I stated in the review. I'm aware of those 'compromises that must be made' and I certainly don't want my opinions to be construed as a personal attack. Hope to see you when yr in the Colorado area as live is always different from CD. And I'll be the first (well, maybe the 12th) to admit it if I change my mind. Clark, by 'get better' do you mean that I'll find deeper insight into the human condition by discussing music or just agree with you?
Posted by clark:
wow, i didn't realize people coud act so immature. but anyways, back to the subject at hand, casey stratton's debut cd. i bought the cd, and i was impressed, very much. but like tim i wondered if this was prefab, studio work. but i recently had the opportunity to hear casey live, and, in my opinion, the smoothness that you thought was studio smoothness tim, is in fact casey's smoothness, he sings better live. which, for most artists, is very hard to say. if i was reviewing, i would give no lower than a 4, probably a 4.5. but hey, i'm not the one who is attempting to be a reviewer, but you'll get better tim.
Posted by Casey:
Ok everyone-this is crazy! I appreciated Tim's review. One must remember that this business is difficult and there are many factors involved in record making. However I do not think of myself as a prefab artist. EVERY song is about my life and my experiences and I worked 10 years to get signed! Once you are signed, there are compromises that must be made. That was my choice and I must stick to it fo r now. I thought Tim's review was thought provoking and does indeed represent many people's opinions. But now people are starting to make comments about MY character as well. If everyone could just let it go I would appreciate it and stop attacking each other! There are feelings at stake here! LOL. Like my music, don't like it. It's a free country.
Posted by tim:
Scott, Thank you.
Posted by Scott:
PS, he gave the damn thing 3 stars. Geez, people get over it. It's not like he totally trashed it. I would have but that's another arguement.
Posted by Scott:
Tim, it looks like you pissed off his 4 fans. tisk, tisk, keep up the good work. Some people can pull this stuff off, when they have some soul in the music but this sounds like prefab, play by numbers, oh look at me I'm deep, poser copy of the real thing. Another thing, I want to see you complainers come up with a new arguement. Come on use your brain and make a convincing arguement in FAVOR of why you think an artist is good and the review missed the mark instead of the same old attack the reviewer with the same ol' cliche's. Seriously, it's as unoriginal as this weak attempt at music.
Posted by tim:
Matt, I am a musician. I compose and play live in my little area of Colorado. As a musicianI do respect Stratton's ability, I referred to him as a 'fine singer and musician' in the above review. I also stated that I caught glimpses of an artist who spoke to me but, and this is just an opinion, that I found the production too smooth for my taste. Yes, I find the CD bloodless. The CD. Not Casey Stratton personally. That's a big difference. I'd like to hear these songs done with just voice and piano, where the artist's soul might shine, unclouded by (my opinion again, after all, this was my review) dense production. I thought I had made that clear. Anyway, maybe we can leave my weaknesses and quality out of this. Also, Nicole, I apologize for the 'upbringing' remark below, and for that alone, as it was rude and unneccessary. In the future I will refrain from such lowering of the conversation level. Ok? thanks,tim
Posted by tim:
Matt, I am a musician. I compose and play live in my little area of Colorado. As a musicianI do respect Stratton's ability, I referred to him as a 'fine singer and musician' in the above review. I also stated that I caught glimpses of an artist who spoke to me but, and this is just an opinion, that I found the production too smooth for my taste. Yes, I find the CD bloodless. The CD. Not Casey Stratton personally. That's a big difference. I'd like to hear these songs done with just voice and piano, where the artist's soul might shine, unclouded by (my opinion again, after all, this was my review) dense production. I thought I had made that clear. Anyway, maybe we can leave my weaknesses and quality out of this. Also, Nicole, I apologize for the 'upbringing' remark below, and for that alone, as it was rude and unneccessary. In the future I will refrain from such lowering of the conversation level. Ok? thanks,tim
Posted by Matt:
Dear Tim, how could you talk about respecting people's opinions about "something as subjective as music", when you aren't even able to do it yourself when you qualify this album as a "bloodless CD"? Have you ever heard about respecting artists ? Personnally, I think that musical reviewers are often musicians who never succeeded at composing their own music... For that reason, they often become frustrated and project their own weeknesses onto musicians who are willing to share a piece of their soul... I'm wondering what's bloodless here...
Posted by tim:
Nicole, exactly what type of questions about my quality did you have in mind? Am I somehow morally inferior because I didn't like this CD as much as you? Am I less of a person because I like Sonic Youth more than this hermetically sealed, bloodless CD? You know,people can disagree, especially on something as subjective as music, without calling each other's quality into question. Somebody's upbringing is showing.
Posted by Nicole:
I bought the album & had the opportunity to hear Casey live last week @ Borders and was blown away. His music gets into your soul. He has one of the most beautiful voices I have heard & his lyrics are both haunting & beautiful - haunting in the fact that you can't forget them. I don't question the quality of Casey or the CD - I question the quality of the person who wrote the review.
Posted by Sally:
I just went to the concert at JHS and I thought it was awesome! I love the fact that he plays the piano for himself and doesn't let others do it for him.It adds to the appeal.
Posted by Shoshana:
As a matter of fact, I have seen Casey Stratton play live a few times in New York City...he sounds better live then he ever could on CD. The energy that Casey omits during a performance is intense...can we say, "BEST NEW ALBUM"?
Posted by Mark:
The reviewer states that he would like to hear these songs performed live by Casey with just a piano.... I saw 2 concerts he performed in LA last September. On most of the songs it was just him and the piano and he was amazing. Casey has a presence that can only be experienced live. Buy the album, learn the songs, and be ready to be blown away when you get the chance to see Casey perform live!
Posted by Mary: I have the entire CD that I feel is a
nice collaberation of what Casey can do. It takes you up and brings you
back down breathing every note with him! I love it!
Posted by
Matt: I listen to Casey's music since the last
4 years or so and I like this album. I think it's a good introduction to
Casey's music for people who have not had the joy to discover Casey with
his incredible independent work. If this album has brought you to love
Casey, believe me, from listenning to him for so long, this is only the
beginning and only one of his many facettes... Also, as a reply to Mr.
Byrnes who wrote this review, you really should see Casey performing live
and you would realize that his talent is even more surprising than on the
album. ;c)
Posted by
Joey: I love the CD, do you know that you have
the wrong track listing for standing at the edge???
