Pilot Post - Music and Lyrics

I don't normally review on bands and singers as a whole unless I find a band or a singer who has a very distinct style that reaches out to me. It does happen. But generally, what I do collect is a personal opinion and liking of specific songs, because while I may not always like a band or a particular singer enough to become a devoted follower, I do appreciate certain works by them. I think that each song (even if it's sung by the same singer or musicianed -not a real word, I know- by the same musicians) has a different ambiance and meaning and can touch all sorts of different people. But I like to pay homage and attention to the acoustics and lyrics of each song and most of my newly discovered favorite songs can last on repeat for at least a month.

To my extreme delight, I came across Korean-American alternative/folk singer Susie Suh whose musical talents are what birthed the lyrical masterpieces, "Light on My Shoulder," "Won't You Come Again," and "Give Me Heart." It was actually my cousin who expressed surprise, when he heard her song "Light on My Shoulder" playing in my car, over the fact that she was Asian, since she "doesn't sound like she's Asian at all" according to him. He also claimed she vocally bore a likeness to Sarah McLachlan - although in my opinion, the similarity is slight and Suh has a bit of a more texture and rawness to her voice. Originally born in LA, California, Suh graduated from Brown University and embarked on a singing and song-writing profession. Her debut album, titled Susie Suh, was released on Epic Records in 2005 and her songs have appeared in shows such as One Tree Hill on the CW.

Her sultry, contralto voice is also quite refreshing in comparison to most Asian singers who tend to linger in the higher pitches. But my favorite so far out of her album has been "Light On My Shoulder," an acoustic piece with very easy to please (and pretty truthful too) lyrics with catchy and irresistible lines like "It's easier to run and harder to be still, it's easier to fall and harder to stand, it's easier to think and harder to feel."














The song that I came across this week that I really found myself enjoying is Rachael Sage's "Bravedancing". Not only is it a pleasure to have her voice grace your ears, but her chords are also strikingly reminiscent to (but not inhibited by) other vocal powerhouses such as Tori Amos, the wonderfully lilting Kathy Fisher of Fisher, Donna Lewis, and maybe even a touch of Jewel (really). But I really appreciated the strength and susceptibility in Sage's voice that lent her so much power in this tragically melodic sequence. Not to mention the piano playing in the foreground was a real treat as well.

While the lyrics weren't anywhere close to soul-shattering or heart-wrenching or even gut-pinching, they were far from cringe-worthiness which was a huge relief.

Next step would be to guess what brave dancing is exactly...

Now as for a less lyrical but an incredibly gorgeous piece on its own, "The Door In the Floor" by Marcelo Zarvos has been revisited recently on CBS to my surprise. "The Door In the Floor" was originally created for the purpose of a vivid orchestral soundtrack for the movie "The Door In the Floor" starring Kim Basinger and Jeff Bridges (very riveting movie). A haunting combination of piano, string and orchestra that evokes an emotive image of a person biking along a breathtaking landscape, carved with a bare but doable winding trail that overlooks an endless sparkling ocean. Naturally, it sufficed for a commercial with a bunch of underwear-clad blondes and brunettes chasing one another around in a spacious castle. Good enough for me!

Another favorite piece of mine is the Mary Beth Maziarz rendition of "Daydream Believer," originally sung by The Monkees. It's a beautifully written song although I have to admit that I am very partial to the Mary Beth Maziarz version by far as it presents the originally upbeat and foot-tapping song we all know and love into a melodical piano work that is almost forlorn and most definitely sleepy. But I've loved it since I first heard it years ago with its opening lines:

Oh I could hide 'neath the wing
Of the bluebird as she sings
Six o'clock alarm would never ring
But it rings and I rise
Wipe the sleep out of my eyes
Shaving razor's cold and it stings

I've always been a fan of piano renditions of old classics. Pair it up with a slow singing, smooth-rhythm-ed vocalist and I'm won over almost immediately. In fact, this used to be the song I'd always play while reading a good book or short story. I think the best aspect of this song is the lyrics. I think it touches upon everyone's inner child and nostalgic attachments to the past. Not only does it chime a very familiar and classi c tune, but the approach Mary Beth Maziarz takes to Daydream Believer is one of a lullaby, much like the ones we've all heard as young children. The opening lines imbue memories of our younger selves - and who hasn't felt the desire to hide under the bed covers early morning, dreading the inevitable alarm ringing, at some point in their lives?

As for Mary Beth Maziarz herself, she's more of an unknown to the more mainstream audience, although she did earn herself an ASCAP award sometime in her career. Another song that I really enjoyed from her would be True Believer, which had a slightly more country feel to it and was featured in a few televisions shows overseas in Australia and Germany.

Next up is the lovely Miss Renee Stahl, of which I've had the pleasure listening to her track, "Something Real." I found this little beauty for myself while browsing through film trailers, actually. "Something Real" played during a theatrical trailer for the movie "The Dead Girl." While the movie ended up being rather mediocre to m y disappointment, I realized the Stahl's work of art was what really generated the appeal of the trailer. I really enjoyed the melancholic acoustic guitar riffs of the song. Coupled with Stahl's breathy and moving voice, it carried this piece through to the end.

Catch me
I am falling
And your innocence
Is all I have
Can you
Hear me calling
In pieces only I
Can understand..
..Thought I could only see the other side
Of Something Real
Something Real

Next post on fashion, underwear, and runways!