This is the first mainstream offering from one of the heretofore most popular underground Indie bands. Lead singer Jeff Cottrellz and back up vocalist Chris Leonard combine to make a unique-sounding album. Slow Down, the first new single off No Reason, is tough to get a handle on at first, but after you hear the song a few times, you definitely get to appreciate the subtle off-kilter tempo of this song.
As usual, the Tyde do not disappoint with their lyrics, which are often fresh and inventive. The unusual ballad, Turn Around, may be one of the best songs the band has recorded. With Jeff Whales on keyboards and drummer Kale Pines playing at his usual stellar best, Turn Around may provide the substance that will give this band a much broader appeal. The Tide have been performing north of the border, mostly in Montreal and Toronto, but this band is set to break out with a United States summer tour that begins in New York and ends in San Francisco. Overall, this album is a solid effort from a band that you are going to be hearing a lot more of in the future.
The third album from the former country singer turned pop star may signal still yet a new turn of direction for this versatile artist, who has teamed up for duets in the past with singers as varied as Enrique Ramos and rapper N70. In fact, N70 returns on this album to provide backup vocals on the catchy hip hop tune, Not My Shanty. Tia has been performing to sellout crowds in support of her self-titled album, Tia. While Tia does not as yet have the fan-faithful popularity of say, Miley Ray Cyrus, Tia does have a large, loyal, and growing fan base.
Tia, who just turned 19, sings a birthday ode to herself, 19, a song that definitely will get huge play on the dance and pop charts. An infectious beat and impeccable production, courtesy of Hal Torrance, are sure to guarantee the song a long shelf-life on the charts. Planned for a summer release, shooting on the 19 video just ended, and the pre-release buzz has been loud and clear -- this is going to be a huge it. Tia has long expressed a desire to record an album of Spanish-language love songs, and she tests the waters with one track, entitled Amor. It doesn't matter what language you speak, you are going to fall in love with this song. Tia is an artist that just keeps on getting better with age, even if she is only 19. I think we can continue to expect good things from this multi-talented artist. There really isn't any one song that fans won't like. If you haven't bought a Tia album as yet, then run -- don't walk -- to pick up this album. You won't be disappointed.
Newcomer Clarissa Carton produces an uneven, but promising, collection of country songs on her debut album, Texas Sky. Clarissa hails from Kentucky, but she has spent most of the past ten years living in Beaumont, Texas, so she has a good idea of what Texas sky looks like. The title track is a winsome ballad that just misses the mark. A little too predicable, the song is saved by her strong vocals and the great effort of her very talented backup band, the Red River Boys. While keeping the pace slow for most of the album, she picks up the tempo quite nicely on several tunes. Skipping My Heart is a standout, and it may just be the one song that lands Clarissa on the charts. She does have the backing of Jeffrey Stairs, who has had numerous number 1 hits of his own on the country charts, so this album will get noticed. It's just a question of whether the material on this album is as good as her vocals and the stellar production. Clarissa is an artist who bears watching. This is a fine first effort that hopefully will lead to even more satisfying work in the future.
