Our critics pick the top CDs submitted to The Pulse in 2008:
The Deep Vibration, Veracruz
It’s impressive that there is so much for everyone who likes music in this five-song EP. If The Deep Vibration’s plan was to leave us wanting more, it’s succeeded.
? Charles McClain
Parachute Musical, Everything is Working Out Fine
It’s a perfect mix of lyrical adroitness, sweeping classical arrangements and quirky, but perfectly executed, old-time charm . . . pop-rock even some of the snobbiest music fans wouldn’t be ashamed to listen to.
? Valerie Nutt
“Quote,” The Pace of Our Feet
The Pace of Our Feet isn’t just an album, although the music is good enough to stand on its own . . . every track has an additional original piece of art and a work of literature, both inspired by the song. The result is an album that explores the range of perception and creativity and invites a much deeper look at each of these songs . . . a masterpiece.
? Valerie Nutt
James Jackson Toth, Waiting in Vain
This music will invade . . . Lead vocals are blended beautifully with male and female voices that really sound perfect together. The production on all the instruments in all of the songs sounds really excellent . . . a powerful example of the raw emotions that so much of today’s music misses.
? Chris Goebel
Penguin, Traveling Songs
Penguin never relies on only one particular musical style and manages to take into account each member’s range of influences. Penguin plays with heart and feeling, and its sophisticated sound and talent is shown in this strong, progressive album.
? Jeff Russell
Spiritual Family Reunion, Goodbye Ceremony
These folks had stumbled onto a beautiful way to tell stories, in the long-form country music standard of pedal steel, piano and walking bass, dashed up with satirical lyrics.
? Valerie Nutt
Evil Bebos, The Dead Language
The beauty in The Dead Language is found in the subtleties, the slow evolution of the compositions . . . a lot of crunch, a lot of noise, a lot of evil.
? Bracken Mayo
Caitlin Rose, Dead Flowers
The young Rose spent most of her younger teenage years on the indie-rock music scene, yet she has somehow managed to come back to her country roots . . . soulful, powerful vocals that mesh together paradoxical feelings of innocence and seduction . . . full of imagery and emotion.
? Jeff Russell
S.J. and The Props, Tragedy
S.J. immediately impressed me with his vocal range . . . This CD touches many genres of music from Americana, to bluegrass, to electronica, to R&B, to straight ahead rock.
? Marc Williams
Musicians, keep your work coming; we love to hear and see the creations of our friends and neighbors.
