Plugged ®

29 Jun 2010

Dr. Seahorse - Symptons Of Trend

Artist: Dr. Seahorse
Album: Symptons Of Trend
Year: 2009
Label: Mirth Records
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/drseahorsemusic
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/drseahorsemusic
Twitter: @drseahorsemusic
Buy: iTunes - Amazon
Sounds Like: Trevor Davis, Justim Timberlake, The Postal Service, Michael Jackson, Owl City, Suhonen Marcos
Rating: 5/5 ♥♥♥♥♥

Trevor Davis and Suhonen Marcos join together in an accidentally exquisite musical adventure. The duo began to dream of since June 2007 with an electronic project and fresh influences from the brazen sound of Michael Jackson, down to the babbling harmony of The Postal Service.

This bizarre fantasy designed to “Symptoms Of Trend” where Trevor away from self-conscious in a simple acoustic sound, operates with full vocal agility, while his teammate machines energetic rhythms and smooth sounds of percussion. From the first strings in “6th Day” that seem an homage to the classic “Singing In The Rain”, to the titletrack “Symptoms Of Trend” with a seductive melody reminiscent of Justin Timberlake. Even the sublime roars in “Invisible Lion” become a mix of emotions by declaring that a man should be as dependent as a child if he wants the strength to remain true. The finest moments come with “One With The Weeds” and “Reason Why”, each with a particular magic, brimming with amazing vocal and lyrical talent. The romantic “Made Me Whole” pours almost vanished passion between the Marcos’ sequences; as if this were not enough, “Help Me Out”  dopes with those electric pianos, and those chords lost in the silence of the night.

“Dreams can become prayers” and Dr. Seahorse is complemented by the mysteries of this winter cold.

Trevor Davis y Suhonen Marcos se unen en una aventura musical accidentadamente exquisita. El dúo empezó a soñar desde junio del 2007 con un proyecto electrónico y fresco, influenciándose desde el desvergonzado sonido de Michael Jackson, hasta llegar a la balbuceante armonía de The Postal Service.

Esta extravagante fantasía concibió a “Symptoms Of Trend” dónde Trevor lejos de cohibirse en un mero sonido acústico, se desenvuelve con total agilidad vocal, mientras que su compañero maquina ritmos enérgicos y suaves sonidos de percusión. Desde los primeras cuerdas en “6th Day” que parecen un homenaje al clásico “Singing In The Rain” hasta el titletrack “Symptoms Of Trend” con una seductora melodía que recuerda a Justin Timberlake. Incluso los rugidos sublimes en “Invisible Lion” se convierten en una mezcla de emociones al declarar que un hombre debe ser tan dependiente como un niño si desea la fuerza para permanecer en la verdad. Los momentos más delicados llegan con “One With The Weeds” y “Reason Why”, ambas con una magia particular, rebosando talento vocal e increíbles líricas. La romántica “Made Me Whole” derrama pasión casi desvanecida entre las secuencias de Marcos, y como si fuera poco, “Help Me Out” nos dopa con aquellos pianos eléctricos y esos acordes perdidos en el silencio de la noche.

“Los sueños se pueden convertir en oraciones”, y Dr. Seahorse se complementa con los misterios de este frío de invierno.

31 Mar 2010

Trevor Davis - Nothing Ringing True

Artist: Trevor Davis
Album: Nothing Ringing True
Year: 2007
Label: Mirth Records/Trevor Davis
Website: http://www.trevordavismusic.com/
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/trevordavis
Twitter: @trevordavislive
Buy: iTunes - Amazon - CdBaby
Sounds Like: Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, Jack Johnson, The Rocket Summer, Kevin Max, Ferras, Jason Mraz, Maroon 5, MuteMath, The Beatles, Hootie, Gregory Page, John Mayer, Bjork, D’ Angelelo, Elliot Smith, Hank Williams, Jimi Hendrix, Jonny Lang, Jon Brion, Lauryn Hill, Led Zeppelin, Luke Temple, Matt Chamberlin, Michael Jackson, Muse, Musiq Soulchild, Nick Drake, Paul McCartney, Radiohead, Rage Against The Machine, Ray Lamontagne
Rating: 4/5 ♥♥♥♥

“If Stevie Wonder and Jack Johnson had a baby, not only would be a totally disturbing set of circumstances, but that child would probably sounds like Trevor Davis”. A hilarious concept, but absolutely right. The passion and talent of this singer-songwriter combines pop, rock and soul building incredible songs that are now placed on his latest project “Nothing Ringing True”. Trevor produced this album with the help of Jonathan Macintosh (Sarah Macintosh, Jimmy Robeson, Sanctuary Worship Series, Luna Halo, Dreamseed, Brenton Brown, Vicky Beeching, Daniel Bently, Hilary Watson, Joe Henschel).

“Arrowplane” has a reggae-soul air with those touches of bass, percussion and organ waves (Korg MS2000). The song was written to his wife and refers to a relationship at a distance with a palpable pain of nostalgia. It achieved great success in some radio stations. The funky/retro-soul facet is just beginning with “Change” and a message that the only constant in our lives is change. Despite being short, its acoustic sound hypnotizes you with the sweet falsetto of Trevor. Similarly, the seductive “Rely On You” is sung almost entirely in a Prince-like falsetto. This track talks about how shallow are the levels of commitment these days. “If something is convenient enough, then we will do it” Trevor says, “but if we have to go through the flame for someone, we go bouncing out, just like a kangaroo”. Inspired by Matthew 6, “Treasure” calls us to reflect our true interest and intent with respect to the Kingdom of God: “What is the key to the kingdom?/ I said, Where your treasure is/There your heart will be also / There is a treasure inside your chest / It could be full”. It may sound like a kind of funky, acoustic and stammering MuteMath. The vulnerable “Mr. Mister” certainly speaks about the doubt of Travis in the Lord: “It seems my prayers just bounce off the ceiling / I cannot hear you calling me sitting here at the edge of my bed / With no reception to the monologue in my head / Are you gonna call me, Lord? / Are you gonna call me sometime soon?”. One of the darkest songs on the album, moving from the constant drumming and questionable lyrics into the guitar and a shrill cry of pain for answers. The beautiful “Wife To Be” is the sweet essence of love that every girl wants to hear: “I want to hold you close / Maybe I’ve met you, maybe I haven’t yet / There will come a day when I say to you / Oh, I thnik you’re kind of cool / And if you want a soccer mom minivan / I’ll get you whatever makes you smile”. Reminds me to Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson. We could say “Not Enough” is the second single from the album, due to its large reception on the radio. Influences of Maroon 5 with a lively and nimble piano melody: “You know when you think / You know what you want and then you don’t want it anymore”. With a classical Wurlitzer piano on the background, “Across The Clouds” is a clear love poem to God to see his wonderful creation with a musical synergy that is impregnated in a quiet melody: “I cannot fit you in a song”, while “Pour Me Out” is diversified with a chorus peppered with “Sgt Peppers” by The Beatles. The titletrack “Nothing Ringing True” says our limitations without God, and how our lives seem to be upside down when our trust is in Him. Touches of acoustic soul/funk, Jimmy Needham and John Mayer, this masterpiece also reveals that God often keeps the thorns in our flesh so we can depend on Him as our strength. Finally, “Caterpillar” is a metaphor about this peculiar insect; it’s about looking more deeply and find something beautiful beyond our imagination. The strings and violins are caught by the gentle melody wind and ends with a simple guitar strum.

Trevor says of himself: “So here is the heart behind my beats and the hand behind my strum. My music has edge, but you’re still able to bring it home for your mama to enjoy. I’ve heard I am a mixture of Prince, Jack Johnson, Maroon 5, and Fiona Apple. I consider myself a big oxy-moron always reaching for two opposites and bringing them together to create harmony. I try to combine both a joyous and an emotional sensation as I disclose my innermost thoughts. I feel extremely privileged to live out my passion”. Like a bittersweet taste, his music creates a cataclysm of emotions and experiences. “Nothing Ringing True” is deep and personal lyrics that fit perfectly with his beautiful voice.

“Si Stevie Wonder y Jack Johnson tuvieran un bebé, no solo sería una perturbadora serie de circunstancias, sino que aquel niño probablemente sonaría mucho a Trevor Davis”. Un hilarante concepto, pero totalmente acertado. La pasión y el talento de este cantante y compositor combinan pop, rock y soul construyendo increíbles canciones que ahora se colocan en su más reciente proyecto “Nothing Ringing True”. Trevor produjo este álbum con la ayuda de Jonathan Macintosh (Sarah Macintosh, Jimmy Robeson, Sanctuary Worship Series, Luna Halo, Dreamseed, Brenton Brown, Vicky Beeching, Daniel Bently, Hilary Watson, Joe Henschel).

“Arrowplane” posee aires de reggae y soul con aquellos toques de bajo, percusión y ondas de órgano (Korg MS2000). La canción fue escrita a su futura esposa y se refiere a una relación a la distancia con un palpable dolor de nostalgia. Logró una gran acogida en algunas estaciones de radio. La faceta funky/retro-soul recién comienza con “Change” y un mensaje acerca de que el único constante en nuestras vidas debe ser el cambio. A pesar de ser breve, su sonido acústico te hipnotiza con los dulces falsetes de Trevor. Del mismo modo, la seductora “Rely On You” es cantada casi enteramente en falsetes similares a los de Prince. Este track nos habla de cuan poco profundos son los niveles de compromiso en estos días. “Si algo es lo suficientemente cómodo, entonces lo haremos”, dice Trevor, “pero si tenemos que ir tras la llama de alguien, iremos rebotando hacia afuera, así como un canguro”. Inspirada en Mateo 6, “Treasure” nos llama a reflexionar nuestro verdadero interés e intención con respecto al Reino de Dios: “What is the key to the kingdom?/ I said, Where your treasure is/There your heart will be also / There is a treasure inside your chest / It could be full”. Tal vez te suene a una especie de funky, acústico y balbuciente MuteMath. La vulnerable “Mr. Mister” habla sobre la duda de Travis en el Señor: “It seems my prayers just bounce off the ceiling / I cannot hear you calling me sitting here at the edge of my bed / With no reception to the monologue in my head / Are you gonna call me, Lord? / Are you gonna call me sometime soon?”. Una de las canciones más oscuras en el álbum, moviéndose desde los constantes tambores y la letra cuestionable hasta la chillante guitarra y un grito de dolor por respuestas. La hermosa “Wife To Be” es la dulce esencia del amor que toda chica quiere oír: “I want to hold you close / Maybe I’ve met you, maybe I haven’t yet / There will come a day when I say to you / Oh, I thnik you’re kind of cool / And if you want a soccer mom minivan / I’ll get you whatever makes you smile”. Me recuerda mucho a Jason Mraz y Jack Johnson. Se podría decir que “Not Enough” es el segundo sencillo del álbum, debido a su gran recepción en las radios. Influencias de Maroon 5 con una alegre y ágil melodía de piano: “You know when you think / You know what you want and then you don’t want it anymore”. Con un clásico piano Wurlitzer de fondo, “Across The Clouds” es un claro poema de amor a Dios al ver su maravillosa creación con una sinergia musical que se impregna en un apacible compás: “I cannot fit you in a song”, mientras que “Pour Me Out” se diversifica con un coro sazonado con un “Sgt. Peppers” de los Beatles. El titletrack “Nothing Ringing True” afirma nuestras limitaciones sin Dios, y de cómo nuestra vida parece estar al revés cuando nuestra confianza no está en Él. Toques de soul acústico/funk, Jimmy Needham y John Mayer, esta obra maestra incluso nos revela que muchas veces Dios mantiene las espinas en nuestra carne para que podamos depender de Él como nuestra fuerza. Finalmente, “Caterpillar” es una metáfora acerca de este peculiar insecto; se trata de mirar con más profundidad y buscar algo hermoso más allá de nuestra imaginación. Las cuerdas y violines se ven atrapados por el apacible viento melódico y concluye con un simple rasgueo de guitarra.

Trevor dice de sí mismo: “Así que aquí está el corazón detrás de mis latidos y la mano detrás de mis rasgueo. He oído decir que soy una mezcla de Prince, Jack Johnson, Maroon 5 y Fiona Apple. Me considero alguien dispuesto a recibir influencias incluso de lados opuestos para unirlos y crear armonía. Trato de combinar tanto una alegre y emocional sensación como revelar mis pensamientos más íntimos. Me siento extremadamente privilegiado de vivir mi pasión”. Al igual que un sabor agridulce, su música crea un cataclismo de emociones y experiencias. “Nothing Ringing True” tiene letras profundas y personales que encajan perfectamente con su hermosa voz.