2008 Woodie Awards
[exclaim]ation points
Connor Boals, Stephen Hausmann, Liz Petow, Dave Sachs, Meredith Rivlin
Issue date: 2/6/07 Section: B Side
- Page 1 of 1
Lily Allen
Alright, Still (EMI, Int'l)
Myspace sweetheart Lily Allen contrasts shiny, upbeat production with cheeky, often
vengeful lyrics of ex-boyfriends ("Smile," "Not Big") and lazy stoner brothers ("Alfie") to bring a solid debut that puts her uniquely above the Britpop queens before her. The
1-2-3 punch of "Smile," "Knock 'Em Out" and "LDN" is enough to have you referring to your sneakers as "trainers."
Hella
There's No 666 in Outer Space
(Ipeca)
Hella's newest release contains all the chaos and sonic mayhem of their last three albums,
but lacks the experimental freshness of earlier releases. Certainly the musicianship is there and by no means is this a bad album - we've just come to expect more out of Hella over the past six years.
Norah Jones
Not Too Late
(Blue Note)
Norah Jones' third release retains her eclectic piano melodies and rich, husky voice that has matured and softened since her first release. Blends of emotionally charged, intimately original lyrics and a beautiful array of trombone, cello, bass and various other instruments color the album with a warmly inviting and unique collection of songs. "Not
Too Late" is sure to please listeners with a large variety of musical tastes, combining jazz, blues and a distinctive sample of sounds.
Clap Your
Hands Say Yeah Some Loud Thunder
(Artist)
Not this time. I'm not clapping my hands this time to Alec Ounsworth's mailaise-filled whines over circus accordians. There's plenty to be angry at today without his shrill cries
buzzing in our ears like a gnat. The band's guitar work is actually somewhat inventive compared with their self-titled LP; their riffs have developed somewhat of a twang.
Still, the first track is purposefully tainted with a distorted lo-fi-ness as if to weed out anyone with ears - an odd strategy from an odd band.
Paolo Nutini
These Streets
(Atlantic)
Similar to his cohorts (Daniel Powter, James Blunt, Josh Groban), Paolo Nutini leans teasingly close to recalling the talent of Jeff Buckley but goes no further. Nutini, an ambitious Scottsman, appeals to the "adult-alternative" in all of us. Unfortunately, some have more of it in us than others.
Alright, Still (EMI, Int'l)
Myspace sweetheart Lily Allen contrasts shiny, upbeat production with cheeky, often
vengeful lyrics of ex-boyfriends ("Smile," "Not Big") and lazy stoner brothers ("Alfie") to bring a solid debut that puts her uniquely above the Britpop queens before her. The
1-2-3 punch of "Smile," "Knock 'Em Out" and "LDN" is enough to have you referring to your sneakers as "trainers."
Hella
There's No 666 in Outer Space
(Ipeca)
Hella's newest release contains all the chaos and sonic mayhem of their last three albums,
but lacks the experimental freshness of earlier releases. Certainly the musicianship is there and by no means is this a bad album - we've just come to expect more out of Hella over the past six years.
Norah Jones
Not Too Late
(Blue Note)
Norah Jones' third release retains her eclectic piano melodies and rich, husky voice that has matured and softened since her first release. Blends of emotionally charged, intimately original lyrics and a beautiful array of trombone, cello, bass and various other instruments color the album with a warmly inviting and unique collection of songs. "Not
Too Late" is sure to please listeners with a large variety of musical tastes, combining jazz, blues and a distinctive sample of sounds.
Clap Your
Hands Say Yeah Some Loud Thunder
(Artist)
Not this time. I'm not clapping my hands this time to Alec Ounsworth's mailaise-filled whines over circus accordians. There's plenty to be angry at today without his shrill cries
buzzing in our ears like a gnat. The band's guitar work is actually somewhat inventive compared with their self-titled LP; their riffs have developed somewhat of a twang.
Still, the first track is purposefully tainted with a distorted lo-fi-ness as if to weed out anyone with ears - an odd strategy from an odd band.
Paolo Nutini
These Streets
(Atlantic)
Similar to his cohorts (Daniel Powter, James Blunt, Josh Groban), Paolo Nutini leans teasingly close to recalling the talent of Jeff Buckley but goes no further. Nutini, an ambitious Scottsman, appeals to the "adult-alternative" in all of us. Unfortunately, some have more of it in us than others.
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