CD Review: Susan Cattaneo's 'Haunted Heart'

Susan Cattaneo
Haunted Heart
Jersey Girl Music

With ties to Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Nashville, Susan Cattaneo is at home with the pop-country constructions of melody and rhythm on her latest release, Haunted Heart. Susan's vocals are reminiscent of Sheryl Crow and Shawn Colvin. The singer-songwriter vein is eloquently captured on many of the tunes, including "Lies Between Lovers," "Abide," "Haunted Heart," "John Brown," "Ingenue," and many others. The sweet vocals and drifting melody of "Haunted Heart" is relatively slow, jazzy, and folksy. The song evokes a quieter time of reflection and relaxing set in a 60's or 70's context. "Worth The Whiskey" opens with a steely guitar medley and thick, groovy sound structure that brings out the bluesy, Southern elements of her music. "Done Better" is a piano tune with a ballad-esque set-up and delivery. The drum, bass, and guitar mix is rather folksy overall. The power of lyrics that tell stories and great music to match are very difficult to accomplish, but Susan Cattaneo has no problems creating a fulfilling result. Fifteen tracks round out the album. 5 Stars (out of 5). ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Matty Ride's Self-Titled Release

Matty Ride
Matty Ride
Self-Release

Nashville-based and R&B-soul-inspired, Matty Ride gives us a danceable and pop-focused medley of songs on his five-track, self-titled release. "The First Day Of Summer" features danceable grooves by way of punchy keyboards, blurby electronics, and urban, hip-hop beats (thanks to Fyutch) that take on a 1980s and 90s dance vein with male and female vocals. The song contains a video release that visually depicts travel scenes in Nashville, Las Vegas, and even space with a magical DeLorean. There are pool scenes, bicycle-riding, and dancing in front of graffiti-laced walls and other cityscapes. There is a fun element to the song that mimics internal excitement when the first day of summer - or warmer weather - arrives. "That Girl" is a swishy, urban soul song with a poppy element that is danceable with a youthful, almost reggae-like dance beat. The vocals are akin to Maroon 5. "All Over Again" is a punchy, electronic tune with an urban flair and a slight Brit-pop dance infusion. "Come On And Dance" opens with a blurby, funky, and fluid dance tune that is more than one-dimensional in all aspects. "Hold Me Closer" is a slower tune with swishy percussion that is jazzy and ballad-esque. The keyboard's piano affects are emotive and poignant. The atmospheric washes and string arrangements suggest a heartfelt overtone. There is a good amount of variation throughout the album; despite the short running length. At any rate, Matty Ride knows how to create sensible, intelligent, and fun tunes with a dance beat and electronic backbone. ~ Matthew Forss

Song Review: Alan B. Salisbury's "Dream To Believe"

Alan B. Salisbury
"Dream To Believe"
Jabberwocky Books

Alan's new book, The Legend Of Ranger: The Reindeer Who Couldn't Fly, is about a reindeer with a dream to dream big by being part of Santa's sleigh team. The book is accompanied by a splendid story-telling folk and pop song describing Ranger's story called "Dream To Believe." The three-minute-and-forty-six-second song was recorded in Nashville by producer Paul Busdiecker and includes a quartet from the Nashville Symphony with soothing and emotive vocals by Mary Allen. Mary's vocals are akin to England's Katie Melua, but the song is more neo-folk and neo-classical with a direct and rousing melody. The song is perfectly fitting for children of all ages. In fact, even parents will be singing along to this one. Dream big and listen to Alan's recent holiday creation. I give it five North stars out of five! ~ Matthew Forss