This month Linda gives us her (not so) "Quick Hits" on new CDs from
Edwin McCain and Avril Lavigne
Edwin McCain - "Scream &
Whisper"
Back in 1998 I was
in Charlotte, NC visiting a friend who was on the road working for Matchbox
Twenty. Sitting backstage after the show I found myself in conversation
with a guy about my age, discussing music, travel and living in the South.
I figured he was a friend of one of the guys in the band.
He was very funny
and I remembering him saying how much he liked coming to my hometown of
Pittsburgh when he was on tour. I never asked my backstage buddy his name.
But later on that evening, while talking with my friend whom I came to
visit he asked, "So I see you were hanging out with Edwin McCain tonight."
To my surprise I had no idea who I was chatting with for the entire evening.
Having made a name
for himself over the years on the Adult Contemporary Radio, and TV shows
such as Dawson's Creek where his music was featured, Edwin McCain's fourth
CD entitled "Scream & Whisper" due out June 22nd is yet another valiant
product of simplistic yet heart felt collaboration of songs. The collection
of 14 tracks is consistent with McCain's stellar track record of song writing.
His songs are as charming as the
personality behind
them. Just as we hear of southern comfort foods, Edwin McCain's music is
just that, southern comfort food for the ears.
The CD's first track
"Coming Down" is a lively, upbeat tale of the astronaut-like character
coming back to earth and realizing the importance of the simple and real
things life has to offer. Whether it be the character portrayed in the
song coming back to earth, or McCain speaking for himself as one involved
in an industry so caught up in the "it's all about me" mentality, the message
of relying on those things you are true and real as opposed to instant
gratification is well written.
Such other notable
tracks include "Good Enough", "Wild At Heart", "Save The Rain" & "Shooting
Stars". The main underlying theme of this whole CD is not to look for happiness
in material things and instant feelings of self worth & gratification.
You need to step back, take a good look at what your life is already worth
and enjoy the small but very important aspects of the general everyday,
both good and bad. McCain not only utilizes his talent of compassionate
yet realistic song writing, but also incorporates romantic melodies along
with musical arrangements that take the listener on a journey into themselves
as well as ability to appreciate true musicianship.
Visit
the Official website.
Listen
to samples and Purchase this CD online
Avril Lavigne - "Under My Skin"
She's not a girlie
girl, but yet feels all the same emotions of your typical 19-year-old girl.
Those emotions run the gamut from frustration of troubled relationships
to the somewhat startling realities of becoming an adult. Avril Lavigne
is also unapologetic for her anti-pop princess like style. While everyone
else is baring the butts (along with other body parts), Lavigne is kicking
butts right along side the boys in the music world with her sophomore effort
"Under My Skin".
Not one to shy away
from telling it like it is, Lavigne's first single from the CD "Don't Tell
Me" is a kick in the face to every boy, guy and man who's taken advantage
of his girlfriend. Lavigne's "I'm out of here, I can do better" anthem
is a perfect introduction to old and new fans to the grown up, mature Lavigne.
Enlisting the help
of Butch Walker (of Marvelous 3), Raine Maida (of Our Lady Peace) and Don
Gilmore (Linkin Park) "Under My Skin" is darker in content, yet just as
guitar laden and rocked out as Lavigne's debut "Let Go". Written primarily
by Lavigne and Maida's wife Chantel Kreviazuk, whose instant friendship
translated into consistent and effortlessly written tracks for the CD exemplifies
the growth Lavigne since she emerged onto the scene 2 years ago.
The chemistry between
Chantel & Avril transcended into the inevitable recording of much of
the CD at the Malibu home of Chantel and Raine. The endless nights
of recording and producing left the duo with products ready for pressing.
Whether it is the ocean air, the new living/recording arrangements, or
a chance to write songs free from any industry overhead, "Under My Skin"
is truly a solid piece of work that Lavigne can be very proud of.
The CD is pretty
much a wild ride from start to finish. If you were expecting anything less
from Avril Lavigne, then you probably didn't get where she was coming from
originally. She loves her guitar, and every song has it's own identity
when it comes to those melodies and riffs. "Who Knows" will have your head
bobbing along just like "Sk8er Boi" did. "Take Me Away" has their dramatic,
smoldering verse that makes one wonder how someone so young, could figure
out life's complexities. The most brooding of the 12 tracks are "Forgotten"
& "Nobody's Home" reveals the angst and heartache that
even rock star princesses
face in their everyday lives.
"Under My Skin" is
a powerhouse of musical & mental maturity that Avril Lavigne is quite
willing to wear on her sleeve and share with the world.
Visit
the Official website.
Listen
to samples and Purchase this CD online
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a friend about this article
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