Reviews about Artists & Musicians

thumperdrummer says "Organic sculpture inspired by fluid movement and sensual curves" about Gregor Smith

thumperdrummer — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:28:02 GMT

Gregor is posting his art website to get feedback and exposure.

www.SpiritCurves.com

How did Gregor get started sculpting?

In 2002, Gregor had a total loss house fire from an electrical fire, and he had some serious stress. Then on top of that, his mother died a few months later, and the rage in his body was getting pretty close to being out of control. A great friend and fellow band mate, Jimbo, showed up with a set of carving tools, a six pack of beer, and said, "let's learn/create a new art form."

The next thing Gregor knew, he was carving Hawaiian styled tikis and beating the hell out those logs with a mallet and chisel. He fell in love with it! They dreamed of how they could illuminate the sculptures at their next party. Then they started carving scary faces in hollow logs, much like you would a Jack-a-Lantern. They filled them with candles, lights, and then they tried PROPANE! YEA BABY, propane in mass quantities, and 10 foot high flames jumping out of a scary tiki face, that's...

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Reviewlady21 says "Female Fronted Metal at it's finest" about After Forever

Reviewlady21 — Fri, 01 May 2009 23:50:44 GMT

Dutch Symphonic/Power Metal Band After Forever

Perhaps one of the best female front bands out there even though they official disbanded in 2009. originally I started listening to evanescence and while checking their page on wikipedia.com, I came across a section which the band was compared to other female fronted bands one of which was Finland's own Nightwish and After Forever. I did my research and started listening to more and more songs from both bands, why people are comparing the two is "beyond me" (bad joke)

what separates's After Forever from Nightwish is floor jansen's ability to switch from classical to rock vocals with ease. ex-NW member tarja turnen has the ability to also switch from classical to rock but when she does rock vocals it seems like she is still singing in a classical vocal. another thing I notice is After forever's songs are not as over dramatic as some of the Nightwish songs. don't get me wrong I am a fan Nightwish (old and new eras) it's just some of the...

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erianams says "Awesomely diverse with live instruments and creative lyrics." about The Roots

erianams — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 23:54:34 GMT

The Roots are a music group which integrates all styles of music into their show. I saw them live at the Showbox in Seattle WA, and they surprised me with each song. Their main genre is hip hop, but they also switched it up with reggae, blues, alternative rock, classic rock, and oldies. There have been rumors that they might stop touring for awhile, so if you get a chance I would suggest to catch their act. They are also currently the house band for the Jimmy Kimmel Show, where they get to "play" with their music and use their unique style in skits and to interact with Jimmy and the audience. It's really fun! In my opinion The Roots are the best part of the show and seeing them would probably be the only reason that I would go. I believe that The Roots have a sound that everyone can appreciate, and would recommend their album to anyone.

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JKPS613 says "Basically Fantastic" about Death Cab for Cutie

JKPS613 — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 07:23:14 GMT

Death Cab for Cutie is a band that is popular with indie lovers and mainstream music lovers. Their lyrics are soulful and they have enough variety in their music that you can listen to them for days, weeks, whatever - without getting bored. This is a pretty refreshing changge from some of the more indie AND mainstream alternatives out there.

Some of my favorite songs are "Transatlanticism," "Tiny Vessels," "Soul Meets Body," and "The Sound of Settling." However, I truly feel that there is something for just about everyone in the music and lyrics of this extremely talented band.

They have also put out enough CDs that you can browse through each one, finding at least one song from one that you'll love. So if you don't find something you like, keep trying! The odds are really for you.

Also, the lead singer sings/sung for The Postal Service, another great band. In some ways, they are quite similar, but once you listen closely to the lyrics you can see some deep differences.

Anyway, if you...

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GigiandAdonai says "Like waking up in a dream--I was really there!" about Celtic Thunder

GigiandAdonai — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 03:20:45 GMT

I thought I fell in love with Celtic Thunder when I saw The Show on DVD. My best friend and I kept watching the show over and over. I went to their website to get some background information on the group and was devastated when I discovered I missed them in concert by about two weeks. Then at the beginning of March my younger sister called and said they were going to be in town. I told her she must be mistaken because they didn't have a concert schedule posted for 2009. She said, "I just saw the commercial and they're going to be at the Township Auditorium on March 27th." Well, I went to the Township's website and there was the date. I then called my best friend and she said she would buy the tickets if I would go after them. We got some of the best seats available and they were only $55 each.

As the weeks passed I got more excited. I could barely contain myself come Friday. We got to the auditorium an hour early and watched as they set up the orchestra pit and the stage. ...

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LauraBelle says "They have a song to sing!" about Misty River Music Makers

LauraBelle — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:20:56 GMT

This weekend brought me full circle in my musical tastes. I think of music as something extremely personal and know that what we grow up with shapes our tastes as we grow older. This weekend I saw that even more clearly – how my musical tastes have been shaped through the years and how extremely personal it still is to me – when I attended an afternoon barbershop performance put on by Misty River Music Makers.

First let me say that I grew up in a family that liked to sing. We all took great enjoyment out of it, and while not all of us were good at it, we all enjoyed it. As an adult, I brought the same into my family where all of us enjoy singing, as well. Even though a few of us probably shouldn't be singing in public, sometimes the enjoyment wins out over quality. My tastes were shaped by my mom's influence. We listened to pop music in the car, and after taking up the guitar, my mom formed a folk music group with some friends. I grew up listening to performances by this group, listening......

ballhawkdawk says "Catchy tunes, but these guys lack TRUE talent!!" about Fallout Boy

ballhawkdawk — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 04:07:37 GMT

When a band sells a hundred trillion albums you might think.."wow! those guys are really good!"

The truth is, their marketing and the people promoting them are good. I've heard just about every band, in every genre, and in every talent level. I'd like to think that I have a pretty good ear for music and that I can recognize talent when I hear it. But, the reality is, its only my opinion. Everyone has one, and, nobody is right or wrong.

My "opinion" of Fallout Boy is: They are average musicians that play a bunch of repetitive power chords over and over, keeping a similar beat with very predictable fills. Its as if they know they are very marketable and refuse to put in any real effort to produce something original.

Music, in any form, is a wonderful thing. I just think that more talented, but less marketable, bands get the short end of the stick in the music industry. Oh well, just be sure you do one thing and you do it well.......ROCK ON!!!
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Staci827 says "Chester Bennington is amazing" about Linkin Park

Staci827 — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:02:58 GMT

I have been a fan of Linkin Park since their first album. I have been to see them in concert three times and they never cease to put on an excellent show. I meet Chester in person and was very impressed with the fact that he is so humble. The band has a very unique sound that is very full. Even in the scaled back versions of songs that I have seen in live performances with just Chester, Mike and a piano their talent is amazing. There is something for everyone in their music. Not all the songs are loud screaming and hard rock....

blucado says "This band's progression is amazing!" about Fallout Boy

blucado — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 09:17:30 GMT

fallout boy has been one of my top picks in music for about 6 years now. i've been with them from the beginning. i've followed them from their punk roots to their newly released rock, indie, whatever-you-want-to-call-it cd and i'd have to say that each time they put a new record out, i found myself liking it more than the previously realeased ones. i love a kind of band that you can shuffle all of their cds together and end up with such a blend of different-sounding tracks.

i used to be a punk fun which led me to their earlier stuff, but as i grew up, i found myself wanting more and more out of my tunes and the boys kept on delivering. they have never let me down.

the newest cd, upon my first listen, got mixed feeling from myself. i felt like it was very different and i wasn't quite sure if they were going to come through again for me. but, given my obsession for music, i gave it numerous listens and one by one, a track would stand out and become one of my new favorite songs. ......

quietspirit70 says "Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert was a terrible experience!" about Trans-Siberian Orchestra

quietspirit70 — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:07:18 GMT

My husband and I went to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra this past weekend. We are in our late 30s and appreciate a variety of music. However, we had a bad experience with the concert. We even left after 40 minutes. They started 20 minutes late. The music was incredibly loud (we even used ear plugs) and too much "heart-pounding" bass sound and electric guitar. The lighting effects were too overpowering and half the time the lights were shining directly in our eyes...I had to look down at the floor sometimes to avoid being blinded! I felt more like I was at a hard rock concert. It was not at all what we expected. The band blew a fuse on the sound system and had to stop for a brief period, so we figured that was our time to leave. We just did not enjoy the show at all. Would not recommend unless you like hard rock music, an overdone light show, and ok music. They do have a few good songs that they play on the radio, but that is about it.

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LibbyMcMillan says "The Nutcracker is a four-star performance" about New Mexico Ballet

LibbyMcMillan — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:00:10 GMT

New Mexico Ballet's Nutcracker is one for the ages
You may have seen this classic Christmas ballet performed before. But unless you've seen one of the world's top metropolitan ballet companies perform it in an iconic setting, you haven't really seen the Nutcracker yet. Albuquerque, New Mexico may not spring to mind as one of the world's top performing arts cities, but, in fact, Albuquerque ballet schools have launched a steady plethora of students and professionals onto company stages around the world: ABT, Joffrey, San Francisco Ballet. Its principal ballerinas and lead male dancers are extremely well-trained, classically beautiful performers, adept at their craft.

Add a professional symphony, a world-class performing arts hall (The Popejoy, on the UNM campus) and you've got the ingredients for a stellar bit of Christmas magic. New Mexico Ballet performs this classic with verve and talent, and - surprisingly - with occsional humor, too, which helps keep the audience...

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TunefulGal says "This red-haired Texan's CD outlives most others." about Van Cliburn

TunefulGal — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 06:30:53 GMT

     Before 2008 gets away from us, let's celebrate the 50th anniversary of a special American hero with a performance -- LP, cassette, now CD -- that defies time.
     The hero's name? Van Cliburn. His act of valor? Winning a major musical competition in the Soviet Union (Russia) during the worst of the big-old, bad-old Cold War months after Sputnik.
     No one ever thought the Russians would allow a non-Russian, much less a 23-year-old American, to win the prestigious Tchaikovsky Piano Competition. But Van, a gangly Texan with a mop of curly red hair, won over the populace and the judges with his electric pianism -- particularly in Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1.
   Van's lazy drawl and gentle manner so further endeared him to the public that he was followed on the streets of Moscow. Time and again people were brought to cheers and tears by his Olympian command of the most difficult piano music and by the emotion he brought to great Romantic Period works.......

pandorasdesign says "I would LOVE my dog to be painted by Ms Nesbitt, what a pro!!" about Carol Lynn Nesbitt

pandorasdesign — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:57:52 GMT

Carol Lynn Nesbitt is doing Painting of your beloved Pets from either a photo or live. She is curiously able to capture the personality of your pet in a modern style painting with a generous amount of love and caring to keep the paiting realistic and down to earth. The price is very reasonable, but does fluctuate based on the job. I would love for my two Golden Retrievers, Holly and Honey to have their portrait painted by her. She does seem to capture the spirit of the animal on canvas and I would love to have a painting of my dogs or animal in my home, wouldn't you?

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rs7971 says "Too much show and no substance." about Trans-Siberian Orchestra

rs7971 — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:16:30 GMT

This the first time in my life I have walked out of a concert before it was half over. I knew the Trans Siberian Orchestra concert would be loud but I figured I could tolerate the volume if the music was good. Alas, the vocalists were fair at best and the "original" pieces lacked any musical quality. The piece sung by the down-and-out bum was ten minutes of the same three notes played over an over and over again. The high volume did nothing to improve the quality. The laser lights and the pyrotechnics were fun to watch but I'll watch them for free on the fourth of July from now on. Now I know why "Wizards of Winter" and "Carol of the Bells" are the only two songs you hear on the radio this time of year. Those are the only ones by this group that have any musical value.

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Katrena says "I enjoy listening to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra music online" about Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Katrena — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 06:03:18 GMT

Mix a bit of rock with a touch of opera and you may be at the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's website. I visit this website frequently during the Christmas season to enjoy a fresh, emotional, and unusual approach to the music of the season. Upon entering the site, listeners are greeted with a great intro that gives a preview of what the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's style is all about.

Their website features:

video clips (my 7-year-old loves watching the little girl in Christmas Eve in Sarajevo)
audio clips (there are a couple of clips that I cannot get to load--I'm not sure if it is a problem with the site or with my computer)
lyrics and story
information about tours
biographies (some interesting information)
downloads (haven't tried any of these)
much more (but I'd love to see some interactive stuff like some trivia games)

My Viewpoint:

The website has a black background with white writing and the white font is a bit small and bright for my 20/20 eyes, but I don't get bogged down with the details of...

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dancers says "wow!!!" about jonas brothers

dancers — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 01:51:52 GMT

These guys are great! They are the most talented brothers i have herad in a long time. their ability to write their songs play their instruments it is truly refreshing. you don't have to be worried that you may hear something off color or that it will be boring. They are repectful of their parents and it shows in the music. They are all nice to look at . I think they will only get better as they grow and i look for them to do things for other performers like write or produce . i hope they stay a group for a long time....

specialgreen says "Surprisingly Satisfying" about The Offspring

specialgreen — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 23:19:37 GMT

I got the new Offspring CD "Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace" and I have to say it's awesome.

Some may arguee and protest my opinion, but it rocks like most cd's haven't rocked for years. It is so refreshing to get a cd from one of my old fav's and not have to go through the 'accepting the new sound' period. All of the old bands have changed so much, and so have The Offspring, but they didn't loose themselfs. Purists though may want to stick with their Bad Religion CD's if they are looking for a band time doesn't seem to touch.

Track 3 is what got me hooked. Track 5 turned me off when I heard the sound bite, but I actually really like it. Same with the "Kristy" song (track 7). I'm not a big fan of name-songs, but this one doesn't bother me a bit. Track 6 "Takes Me Nowehere" makes me bang my head in acceptance. "Stuff is Messed Up", track 9, is awesome at first then busts out into fantasticism a third of the way through. "Fix You", 10, started and I thought, "who the heck......

wasabieater5 says "the mars volta is the most talented group ever." about The Mars Volta

wasabieater5 — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 04:35:44 GMT

De-Loused In The Comatorium is my favorite album by the mars volta. their songs are long but your going to want to listen to every minute of them. the mars volta is a talented group because i dont think anyone else could make songs 12 minutes long but every minute is worth listening to. cicatrez and eriatarka are my two favorite song.the vocals are very unique.you know how when you hear michael jackson....you KNOW its michael jackson...well its the same with the mars volta..and theses songs on this album..

you should definately go check it out..your really not gunna waste your time.

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ccampbell says "The BEST they've done - the reality of the Christian life!" about Casting Crowns

ccampbell — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:58:13 GMT

Casting Crowns was the first Christian band I was able to really get into and I think it's for two reasons: 1) They are GOOD at the actual music (instruments, singing, etc.) and not churchy sounding or manufactured like a lot of Christian musicians come across, and 2) They are realistic about living as a Christians. They don't just sing about the upswing of living on the high of absolute faith, but they also express frustration over the hypocrasy that is so often present in churches and the struggle of staying with it when the world makes it difficult to stay on the righteous road.

'East to West' and 'Somewhere in the Middle' are great examples of the lulls we hit in our walks and the reminder we need to get out of the rut and keep on walking in faith. My favorite is 'The Word Is Alive'. The music is powerful and never fails to give me goosebumps and the lyrics are so incredibly moving. It truely gives me the impression of the living Word rising up in my spirit.

This is one of my favorite...

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lillypearl2278 says "One of the BEST is Jack Johnson" about Jack Johnson

lillypearl2278 — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:29:56 GMT

Since my introduction to Jack Johnson, I instantly fell in love with his talent, and those I have shared this find with are just as impressed. I find myself lost in his music and lyrics. Even on the worst of days I can put in any of his CD's and be whisked away to serenity. It is extremely uplifting and relaxing. The use of background sounds like rain and wind add to the calming effect of his music. Many of his songs bring back playful memories from the past and think up dreams for the future. He is by far one of the BEST! If you like acoustic music and you need a break from the stress of your everyday life you should definitely check him out.

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