Review: Hanne Hukkelberg's Rykestrasse 68

Norwegian import Hanne Hukkelberg is sure to astound folk and indie music enthusiasts alike with her upcoming sophomore full-length, Rykestrasse 68. Equipped with a daring experimental repertoire not widely implemented, Hukkelberg vividly demonstrates a range of musical prowess through a variety of instruments and vocal incantations. A deft composer and masterful lyricist, Hukkelberg guides the listener along a glazed surface of poignant songs, occasionally surprising one with ironic bursts of ferocity. Delving into the rich sources of her environs, she creates willful masterpieces which simultaneously conjure reality and idealism.

In “Berlin,” one of two highlighted tracks, Hukkelberg displays her remarkable ability to capture life within words. Subtly, yet decisively, she draws out a narrative set on the streets of Berlin. In the second track, and with an undeniable similarity to Billie Holiday, she plays upon this distinction in fan-favorite, “A Cheater’s Armoury”. Moving through the lyrics with an eye toward aesthetics, she pulses along delicate harmonies, retelling the age-old dilemma of living with liars.

Each track on the album stands on its own as a poetic force to be reckoned with. So it’s no surprise that with the flow that comes from each track lined up together, Rykestrasse 68 will stand out as one of the best folk/indie albums of 2008.

Album Review: Jaeger Wells--Bastard Pop

Jaeger Wells, “Bastard Pop” (0/5)

Bastard Pop: the perfect euphemism for an artist that produces illegitimate offspring off society’s well-loved genre of Pop. Coincidentally, it’s the title of Jaeger Well’s debut EP, and I’ll let you know right of the bat, I sincerely hope it’s his last. Now, don’t judge me as unfair. I gave the him every opportunity to redeem itself; however, Wells refused to comply.

In order to better equip myself for this review, I checked out the Wells' Myspace. Under the his name, the genres are listed as Folk/Pop/Acoustic, which ultimately makes me question the his credibility considering it took me nearly ten minutes to hear any semblance of those genres, and even now I’m being generous. To add injury to insult, listed under their influences are Bruce Springsteen, Jimmy Eat World, and—I can’t believe I’m about to write this—The Get Up Kids. In a way, you’ve got to hand it to him for having the audacity to claim such influence.

Pushing all of this aside, I focus more clearly on the Wells' lyrics. Roughly one minute into the first track “Dirt”, I begin to quietly giggle. Yes, giggle; and here’s why: “Could you hand me my sweater,/I feel the flu coming on.” At this point, I’m pulling my hair out and only wish for this torture to cease. The rest of the four intolerably-long tracks are about as giggle-inducing as the first.

As I finish this review, I feel as if I should find something positive to say. But really, it’s too damn hard and this band blows.

The Starting Line, so to Speak

An official blog for the unofficial. Isn't that what blogspot is all about? I hope so, because that's why I'm using it. If you haven't noticed, my blog is going to be about music. For the most part, I will use this blog as place to gather all my articles and album reviews I write for AjiSignal and Suburban Roads Magazine, respectively. In addition, I may post opinions about current music trends (why the fuck is Paramore Band of the Year according to Alternative Press' readers?), why I still enjoy bands that you think has become a sell-out (Fall Out Boy anyone?), etc. I realize there are approximately 459830 bloggers that write about the same things; however, I'm different because most of my music will not be obscure, indie bands whose vocalists couldn't sing their way out of a box (not even a studio-produced box) nor will I be referencing underground-popular bands that aren't around anyone (The Cure) because, honestly, I could care less. Music is now, and I'm a forward-looking' kinda gal.