Fermata
Only Ghosts Remain

Fermata is a 5 member band hailing from Wisconsin that produces the most beautiful music that crosses the style of chamber music with rock. The first thing about Fermata that you will notice is the beautiful voice of Lisa Mazza who is a little bit Sarah McLachlan and a little bit Jennifer Noble of Grey Eye Glances, but she's mostly herself. Combine her voice with Jon Koschorek's, who is also the primary songwriter for the band, and you come up with something that's more than just a little bit unique.

Listening to Fermata is like taking a trip back in time. Lisa and Jon's haunting vocals send you to medieval times when princesses need saying from dragons and wicked kings, all while adding a touch of rock to it that sends you spiraling back to the 21st century.

Only Ghosts Remain is an apt enough title, because the word that best description of the music can be summed up in one word: haunting. Spirits of loves long lost and lives long ago lived seem to swirl around the songs on this album.

You Are Not Who I Once Knew is the most stunning song one the album. Lisa's vocals soar and captivate while building to a crescendo that suddenly softens to perfection. The Coldframe rocks hard and at the same time alluring you with classical elements. The Woodsman give Jon the spotlight and the switch in lead vocals provides an interesting change from Lisa's voice. Dark Earth is another brief track that Jon leads on. His voice has a more mysterious sound, to stop using the word haunting, which is also appropriate. Think Enigma and Dead Can Dance with an acoustic touch.

Fermata's musc is a joy to the senses. Each song will fill you with joy, sadness, frustration, excitement and a myriad of other things. One thing is certain, you will feel something when you listen, because their music is more than just simple tunes that can pass through your ears each day and not mean much of anything. These songs will stick with you, because you want them to, because they are so beautiful that they can't be forgotten with the bland sounds like everything other song that is tossed at the listeners on a daily basis.

Welcome Fermata into you ears and life and enjoy an album that is a feast for the senses and a joy for the ears, and if you feel like you've been to the Renaissance Fair as a result, well that's a little bonus for you.




Jason Harrod
Bright As You

For those of you that have never experienced Jason Harrod, sit back and have a listen. Bright As You doesn't neatly fit into any one particular genre. Some songs are folky, others are pop and others rock, giving the album appeal to a wide audience.

The album opens with a The Sun Is Up and that song will wake you up and get you moving. Its a good guitar song along the lines of The Gin Blossoms. Yes, its that kind of pop song that wraps around your mind and sticks with you for days. Its a guarantee that sometime in the future, probably in a supermarket, you'll find yourself singing this one, much to the chagrin of those around you.

Kickin Mule is a rockin' country song that makes you want to create a line dance and have a cold beer. Its got just the amount of twang to sound Nashville, but not enough to annoy. Another country-esque track is Night, Fall On Me, but this one takes on the feel of early 60s country rock. Its definitely a feel good song to get your toe tapping.

Messed Up Everywhere Blues is poignant ballad of love lost. The first time this track played, I was reminded of Dave Matthews and perhaps Dave would be glad to have such a gorgeous song on his next album. Jason's voice blends beautifully with the tinkling of the piano keys which is in sharp contrast to most of the other tracks on the album. But like I said before, everything seems to work here.

For Your Time is another ballad in a more folk style. The gentle lure of the guitar and Jason's voice will pull you in and make you feel every emotion he's pouring out.

Then there are the pop rock tunes. My Mad Girlfriend is one that just makes you smile, and then wonder how someone can sound like Peter Gabriel without actually being Peter Gabriel. When I Fly Away is an upbeat get in the car and drive with the windows down, sing at the top of your lungs kinda song. Its perfect for a sunny day or even a day where you need to pretend its sunny.

Bright As You is solid album showing the versatility of Jason Harrod as a singer and songwriter. Its one album that deserves to be played more than once and enjoyed for its many and varied styles. Let's hope Jason has something new coming soon.




Keri Noble
Keri Noble

There are few people outside of the Minneapolis area and Japan, of all places that know the name Keri Noble, but hopefully after this album more people will.

Keri Noble is back with her third US release, her 4th album actually, as any longtime fan will know, and this one has been a long time in coming. Her major label debut, Fearless was out in 2004. So now 5 years and several EPs later we have the self-titled Keri Noble album and fans will be pleased.

Some of the tracks on this album were previously available on an EP available at her website for a time and then appeared on the Asian release, Let Go, but not to worry this album has a few songs die hard fans haven't heard, and if you are a Keri fan, you'll be in for a treat with this one.

Keri's music is about strong women from the opening track, Watch Me Walk, where she exits a bad relationship to Go Proud, which is just about breaking out as is Born Again. Real life takes the form of Red Wine 'Til Daylight, one of the albums stellar tracks, that tells it exactly like it is. Sometimes you just need to have a good long drink that goes on and on. Simple Things is beautiful slow piece that really highlights Keri's voice and her playing. Remember My Name and Last Warning are darker more melancholy tracks. But whatever emotion Noble choose to share with her listener it always comes across as sincere and from the heart.

In 11 tracks Keri shows you her heart and soul. This album is really her and its title suits it. She's come along way since Fearless and the music shows it, but those listeners that have followed Keri's career, know this already. Its time for the rest of the world to sit up and take notice.




Astronauts Of Antiquity
Rocket Science For Dummies

Upon first listen to Rocket Science I was stuck by vocalist India's similar sound to Deborah Harry. There aren't many vocalists that have the style and presence that Ms. Harry has, but AOA's India is definitely one of them.

Astronauts of Antiquity give you that funky, ethereal sound. Think bands like Portishead and Bitter:Sweet but with something more, a little oomph perhaps. Its the Brazilian influence I'm sure that gives their music the something different that is lacking in other artists.

Everywhere is the opening track and it pulls you in with India sexy come hither voice which works well with the fast paced numbers as well as slow ones such as Beautiful Fate and Miss Caroline.

They even pay homage to the R & B greats with the song Emotional Healing, which seems to pick up where Sexual Healing left off, or maybe its simply the logical follow up to it. The gospel feel is a great touch as well. This is probably the strongest track on the CD as well as the most memorable.

Digital Planet's C-Knowledge makes an appearance on Soup de Jour giving the song a triphop vibe.

There are some surprises thrown in as well. Sweet Tooth is a real dance number with both and Indian feel as well as the Brazilian beat. Then there's the super funky Rocket Science that seems designed to get your body moving.

Breakthrough and Supa Soul can only be described as sexy.

Most of the songs by AOA will conjure images of a smokey club with a sultry singer standing on the stage in a long dress. However this club will probably be set on a space station somewhere in another galaxy.

AOA have a lot to recommend them; India's voice and B. Rhyan's rhythms and songs that are perfectly crafted. Finding good songwriting in this genre is becoming harder and harder, but AOA delivers there as well. They also have a way of giving a song an old fashioned feel while still sounding fresh. Dance Until Dawn sounds like something that could be pulled from a gangster movie. Picture India as Roxie Hart.

Astronauts of Antiquity are truly a space-aged journey through music, futuristic and funky there's never a dull moment on Rocket Science For Dummies. Definitely a musical trip not to be missed.