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The "unfairness" of it all...
This is so unfair. My first review happens to be "Believe," a compilation CD of various artists brought together as part of The Believe Project in order to raise money for The Relay for Life.
"Unfair," you say? How can it be "unfair" to review a CD that will help raise money and awareness in the fight against cancer?
Well... it's not unfair, really. Unless you're speaking in musical terms. You see, reviewing a compilation CD by various artists is very similar to reviewing a "Greatest Hits" CD. Before listening to the first track, one already has an expectation that they will be hearing the artist's "best stuff."
The Believe CD is not an exception to this rule.
"So, what's the point in reviewing this CD," you ask? That's a good question.
To be honest, I like this CD. And, if you've read my Intro Blog, you already know that I have been impressed with the Indy music scene here in The Rose City. Oh, I forget to mention that the Believe CD is a compilation of Independent artists from the PDX area.
I'm sure your next question will be: "Did you get paid for doing this review?" This is a fair question. The answer is NO, I am not getting paid to write this review. I volunteered. So, there is a very slim opportunity for bias here. Make no mistake, I am giving you a REAL and HONEST review of this CD.
Below you will find my track by track listing and review for the Believe CD. Within each track review, you will find additional information about each contributing artist including url's to their sites.
Following the track listing will be my final rating for this CD, and, further info on how you can obtain your copy of this CD.
If you would like to start your own Relay For Life Team, or, if you would like to support Relay For Life in some other way, you can visit their website at:
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=21952#
Track List
1. Daffodils, Kelly Braden. The Pacific Northwest Poet creates a canvas of imagery that takes the listener on a journey outside of themselves. Respectfully acknowledging that we are only here for a short time, and, also reminding us that we do share a connection with the world around us, Kelly Braden provides a strong and fitting introduction to this CD.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/kellybraden
2. Free, Krista Herring. "Free" is the opening track on Krista Herring's debut CD "Lay it Down." (2009) An inspirational song encouraging the listener not to give up the hope of being and feeling free, even though there are elements to all of our lives that will hold us
down.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/kristaherring
Web Site: http://www.kristaherring.com/
3. Better Be Us All, Tyler Stenson. The fifth track from Tyler Stenson's "See That Gleam" CD. (2008) The first of two strong contributions by Tyler Stenson, this soulful song combines the desires, hopes, and dreams shared by everyone. This artist creates a "collective togetherness" aspect that really shows the strength of his song writing ability.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/tylerstenson
Web Site: http://www.tylerstenson.com/
CD Baby: http://www.icdbaby.com/Search/dHlsZXIgc3RlbnNvbg%3d%3d/0
4. Bring Me Back, Paul Wright. A faith based song urging the listener to seek grace in order to rise above the trials of life. There also seems to be an underlying theme of letting things go in order to focus on what is truly important.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/paulwright
Web Site: http://www.paulwright.com/
5. The Last Joke, Waiting on Jane. An interesting and compelling song examining the meaning of a life spent striving for the wrong things.
NOTE: This song also represents the first major production/post production problem with the "Believe" CD. There is a noticeable decrease in the volume level of this song. There are standards for volume level that must be maintained so that a CD's volume level stays "balanced" as the listener moves from one song to the next.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/waitingonjane
Web Site: http://waitingonjane.com/
6. Thank You Note, Kate Mann. This song is the 10th track from Kate Mann's "Devil's Rope" CD. (2007) One of her finest songs, Kate Mann's message of gratitude also stresses the importance of having a positive support structure in one's life, and, the need for being allowed the opportunity to develop into your own person.
MySpace http://www.myspace.com/katemann
Web Site: http://www.katemann.com/
CD Baby http://www.cdbaby.com/Search/a2F0ZSBtYW5u/0
7. Smile More Than I Do, Nate Quiroga, Drew Schaefer, Mike Pursel. I'll be honest here. I did not expect to find a Rap/Hip Hop song on this CD. This song examines the importance of finding the positive elements of life, even when one is in the most difficult of positions. At the same time, this song is blatant and honest about the process and pain of cancer, cancer treatment, and, death.
8. Around the Corner, Stephen Hesselman. The first of two songs by this artist. A positive and hopeful piece about the possibility of falling in love.
NOTE: The ordering of songs on a CD is very important. This song should have appeared within the first five tracks.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/friendsofsdhmusic
9. Saiju, Glass Citizens. A powerful and potent instrumental.
10. Voices, Brandon Carmody (Vocals by Ben Harp and Nicole Campbell) This is the title track to Brandon Carmody's "Voices" CD. (2001) A very interesting song examining how the individual interprets, and sometimes misinterprets, the world around them.
NOTE: There are at least two noticeable track slips in this track, possibly due to editing. Though these are minor production errors, they should not diminish the quality of the song. The track slips are also present on the Rhapsody version of this song. For a more clean version of this song (a version without the track slips) check out the version on Brandon Carmody's MySpace page.
Website: http://brandoncarmody.com/
Rhapsody: http://www.rhapsody.com/brandon-carmody/voices
11. Possibility, Chris Stultz with Raphael Okure. With instrumental accompaniment by Raphael Okure, Chris Stultz reads "Possibility," which attempts to answer the question: "Have you ever wondered what it is that makes us real?"
12. Whistle Stop, Tyler Stenson. The 11th track off Tyler Stenson's "See That Gleam" CD, (2008) and second contribution to this CD. A reflective and introspective song questioning the things we find to be important in life, and, that part of us that we will leave behind. A more mild version of this song (no harmonica) is available on Tyler's MySpace page.
13. Would You Like To?, Stephen Hesselman. A second strong contribution by Stephen Hesselman. A hope inspired piece focusing on love, making connections, and, stressing the more simple pleasures in life.
14. You Are My Sunshine, Melody and Ava Millhollon. A fitting conclusion to this CD. Reminiscent of a scene from "O Brother, Where Art Thou," the young Millhollon ladies bring back this inspirational and traditional classic.
Final Rating
Song Quality ``` 9.0
Song Relevance 9.5
Song Selection 9.2
Song Order and Variation 8.5
Production: includes technical aspects 8.2
Post Production: includes Marketing, Advertising, Sales N/R
Finished Format: including Artwork, Liner Notes, etc. 9.5
Availability N/R
Price 9.8
Overall Rating (Out of a perfect 10) 9.1
* N/R - No basis for rating.
Final Comments
So, I gave this CD a fairly high rating. (A 9.1 out of 10)
Even though there were some noticeable production problems with this CD, those involved in The Believe Project were able to complete this production process in under three months. Dropping a CD is not an easy process. It is extremely time consuming, and, at times it can be aggravating. There is a learning curve involved in producing a CD, and, the experience gained will be integrated into future projects. All those who participated in this project should be commended for their efforts. And, I look forward to seeing their next project.
The CD also receives a high rating based on it's message. The fight against cancer, and, supporting those who suffer, will continue to take the combined efforts of everyone.
One of the lines from track three of the Believe CD serves as a fitting summation:
"Somebody's gonna make it, but you know it better be us all" (Tyler Stenson, "Better Be Us All," See That Gleam, 2008)
Obtaining your copy of this CD
This CD is definitely worth purchasing. It will serve as a fine addition to your music collection. At $10, (plus shipping) you will be getting a great deal. There appears to be approximately 50 copies of this CD left from the first production run.
If you are an artist or musician and would like more information on how you can join The Believe Project, or, if you would like to obtain a copy of this CD for your collection, you can do so by contacting James Taylor at: believecd@gmail.com
Thanks for reading my first MySpace Review on PDXReviews. -Phil
