CD Review: 9Bach's 'Tincian'

9Bach
Tincian
Real World

Founded by singer Lisa Jen and guitarist Martin Hoyland, 9Bach takes the world by storm with inventive, contemporary Welsh music. The group's name is a play on words using the numeral "9" as "nain" and "bach" together to connote a cozy, warm frame of reference. Whether it is cozy, inviting, or infectious, 9Bach knows how to create meaningful sounds and melodies with equally-compelling vocals. The modern effort brings together folk, alternative, pop, and electronic elements to form a cohesive type of music that is memorable and refreshing. The diverse influences are what makes the music interesting and catchy. There is almost an ambient or new age feel to some of the songs. The Welsh vocals are unique and beautiful in the same manner. Some of the melodies are reminiscent of one of Hooverphonic's modern works. There are ten songs in all. There are no disappointments here. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Aradia's 'Possibilities: Light'

Aradia
Possibilities: Light
Self-Release

Seattle-based and New York-born, Aradia combines the best of dance, electronica, trip-hop, and pop with edgy rock arrangements and experimental sounds. The blurby and dance-driven, "Trouble," provides a nice vocal accompaniment with groovy sounds and keyboard arrangements. The music is akin to a trance-induced Madonna with a little Hooverphonic. The vocals are mostly without fault, but a little direct. "Today" contains a great symphonic keyboard base and a swishy percussion beat, as Aradia's sweet vocals evoke an engaging medley of sounds akin to Leona Naess or Beth Orton. "On Fire" is an edgy, dance tune akin to the earlier work of the band Garbage. The dance music is creative and different overall. One can think of various pop artists that dip into dance music, but few know how to master the genre and still keep an audience excited about long after the song ends. Luckily, Aradia inspires this type of dance music with longevity and emotion. The 'possibilities' are endless when Aradia is in charge. ~ Matthew Forss  

CD Review: Yasi's 'Bullet Through My Heart'

Yasi
Bullet Through My Heart
Yasi Music

Canada's electro-pop princess, Yasi, brings us a set of three songs that traverse the electronic worlds of pop, down-tempo, and dance with lush, sensual vocals and industrial, frenetic, and heart-pounding beats. The pulsating, cinematic, and dance-friendly tune, "Bullet Through My Heart," is a swishy percussion tune that is matched with dreamy, electronic embellishments that are heavenly to say the least. With vocals akin to Hooverphonic and Alpha and a beat resembling Lady Gaga and Katie Melua, Yasi makes her mark with these three tunes. "Dressed To Kill" is amore industrial-esque tune with metallic sounds, spirited vocals, and loud, swishy percussion sounds that are magnificent and entrancing. The dance tune contains showers of metallic sounds and soaring vocals that are sweet, yet commanding. The final tune, "Forever More," contains pizzicato sounds and chiptune elements with frenzied percussion. The edgy vocals and metallic noises are more abstract than the other tunes, but there is still a dance element throughout. At any rate, Yasi is a voice to reckon with in the dance genre today! If you want more substance in dance music, you've come to the right place. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Kelly Padrick's 'Soulmate'

Kelly Padrick
Soulmate
Self-Release

The Providence, Rhode Island-born electronica temptress, Kelly Padrick, flexes her angelic wings on this dreamy, gritty, and laid-back recording of heavenly noise. Kelly's down-tempo grooves and sweet vocals are backed by a little keyboard tones, acoustic guitar, lilting percussion, and cinematic string sounds. The effect is similar to anything laid-back by Lolo, Katie Melua, or Hooverphonic. The opening crystalline tones, scattered percussion, and electronic ambiance of the first track, "Piercing," is only some of what Kelly Padrick is all about. The bluesy, gritty, and Western-tinged electronica tune, "Tangled Forest," is something that one would likely hear in the opening sequences of HBO's True Blood, but this is only a comparison, as Kelly does not have any connection with the show. At any rate, "This Time" contains a breakbeat sound that is quite acoustic and groundbreaking with a slight dance tone and full cinematic beauty. "So Long" opens with a bit of acoustic guitar, which is a small departure from the other songs. This is more of a drawn out acoustic guitar song with some electronic pings, washes, and fluctuations. The eleven songs are perfect for the down-tempo, lounge, and trip-hop music fan. I give it five stars out of five. ~ Matthew Forss