Kerli: More Than Just Alternative Music

The long awaited album by Estonian artist Kerli is finally out this week. It includes previously released songs Love is Dead and Walking on Air.

As Rick Florino reviews on Artist Direct; “Love is Dead is more than just “alternative music;” it’s alternative art. Kerli’s vision extends far beyond the notes recorded on her CD, and that’s instantly apparent from her twisted fairytale aesthetic…Kerli doesn’t fit in any kind of box. There are flourishes of alt rock, industrial, electronica, metal and trip hop throughout the record. The one thing she does adhere to is the hook. These songs aren’t easily forgotten, because Kerli can carry a melody to oblivion and back. Ultimately, Kerli’s onto something that could be very significant for the disenfranchised, disillusioned 21st century youth.

Love may not be dead after all.”

He Loves Hats and We Love Him: Jason Mraz

In his new album, We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things, Jason Mraz has continued to refine his writing style from the cheerful guitar-driven pop of his first album. How can people NOT fall in love with a guy who writes such songs? I said it before and I’m saying it again, Mr. Sexuality is gonna break my heart someday.

Mraz strikes a sometimes precarious balance between impassioned love and stolid maturity, and the songs on We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things reflect that, with the equilibrium constantly in flux. Thick horn explosions ramp up the overindulgent points of love while Mraz’s trademark “man and a guitar” style remains a focal point of the new album. “Make It Mine” and “Butterfly” both scream radio hit, with their playful glitz somewhat masking the singer-songwriter’s kindred respect for love. His duet with Colbie Caillat, “Lucky,” will turn some heads even as the era of the male-female duet seems to have faded significantly in this sort of music. What makes “Lucky” such an outstanding ballad is that both Mraz and Caillat are excellent individually in the verses as well as together on the chorus. The only downside is that Caillat doesn’t necessarily distinguish herself as a guest on this song any more than if any of her contemporaries had taken the spot instead.

“Details in the Fabric” shows Mraz’s acoustic side, as the song tenderly moves along without becoming boring. “Coyotes” takes on almost a club vibe with some vocal distortion and beats, but the brief orchestral interludes serve to make it a really interesting track that may initially throw listeners for a loop. “The Dynamo of Volition” continues the poppy, upbeat delivery that Mraz enjoyed on much of his first album and about half of this new one. “If It Kills Me” is delivered with a charming piano melody, and stands out among the final few songs of the album. WSWDWST is punctuated by a slowly-building closer with “A Beautiful Mess,” which is most definitely worth hanging on until the end for.

Providing the carefree soundtrack to your summer, Jason Mraz combines the playful lyrics he’s always sported with lush instrumentals on his new disc, We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things. Featuring some of the best songs he’s ever written, it firmly declares that the eclectic and immensely talented musician is here to stay, proven with a huge leap forward in the songwriting and replayability factors of his music. Roll the windows down and belt out the faster songs, and pull that special someone a little closer for the slower ones; you’ll both be hooked on this CD.

Fuerzabruta Launches Boys Night

Fuerzabruta, the wet and wild who were also seen in an episode of America’s Next Top Model, is going to launch their “Boy’s Night” on May 16th. Water, craziness, techno music and the mylar overhead swimming stage all guaranteed! Boys Night will “feature remixed scenes and choreography- putting the men of Fuerzabruta in the water and at the fore.”

Here’s a review of their performance