Elon Sweet Signatures - Coming Into Focus

[RnBMrE]

Congrats to the Sweet Sigs on an awesome review. Great compliments and helpful critique. These girls are a talented bunch! "Coming Into Focus" seems quite the appopriate title indeed. I definitely agree with Tekay that Magic Tree is the coolest, most well-executed female track of the year (possibly any that I've heard).

Kevin, can you talk a little more about how you didn't like the album art in your next review, though? Only three mentions leaves the reader wanting! x-(

In all seriousness, there is some insightful and valuable critique for the group in your review (similar arrangements, breaking the mold and covering a cool rock group, stepping out more/staying edgier), but it's hard to take seriously because of the snark. A "schizophrenically spelled" title because they replaced an apostrophe with a 'g'? Petty much? Borderline offensive, too (I work with schizophrenic people). And you're "not going to dignify [SexyBack] with critique"? What the hell, man? I'd be pissed if a track off my group's CD didn't even receive comments because the reviewer thought he was too cool to do so.

Oh, and the tampons comment. You stay classy, San Diego.

[H.F.]

Oh, and the tampons comment. You stay classy, San Diego.

Indeed. Class personified. Really looking forward to future reviews from Captain Sardonic.

[billhare]

Take Me or Leave Me from RENT puzzles me somewhat. Why cover an unmemorable song from a decade-old musical?

I'm one of the original Rentheads and a music theater lover — so I get especially giddy when songs are covered by a cappella groups. So I was looking forward to the Signatures's signature take on Take Me or Leave Me.

When you see such different viewpoints between two reviewers in the same review, let alone the general public, it just confirms that the "different strokes for different folks" rule will always apply!

-B

[jthelegend]

nah, you're wrong bill. there can only be one true opinion on everything.

[Brojo]

THE SIEGE IS COMING

[J Fi]

Congrats to the sigs! They've been a pleasure to watch these last four years at Elon, and regardless of the tampon-esque cover have released a hell of an album.

Can someone from RARB explain to me why a man who won't "dignify" a song with his response but will spend so much time on an album's artwork is reviewing? Isn't that vaguely unfair? i could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure the focus of these reviews should be the music. To not dignify a song with a response is arrogant to say the least. I realize that what Bill has to say about different strokes for different folks is true, and if the third review set out to point out things in a more constructively critical way that would be one thing, but Mr. Sawyer seems to be trying to get in his pot-shots on a female group (to which he openly admits being biased, as stated by his expectation of "trebly Avril Lavigne and Sarah McLachlan covers.")

Art is supposed to be opened to interpretation, not subject to the firing squad.

[Jimmy]

I'd be pissed if a track off my group's CD didn't even receive comments because the reviewer thought he was too cool to do so.

Amen to that. However, I would extend this even further, because I know that some people will respond that "the reviewer's responsibility isn't to the artist, but to his readers." As a reader of the review, I noticed that they had recorded SexyBack. Having heard the Back Row version (which was recently picked for BOCA and is quite distinctive for its heavy production), I was curious to hear how an all-female group might have approached the song. (Not that I enjoy the original by any means, but I was curious if a less-produced sound could be effective on this song.) The comment on SexyBack only served to hurt the artists' feelings. Not helpful to the potential buyer, not helpful to the group... what's the point of writing it?

Anyway, this sounds like a good album. When I first saw the cover art (before the review was even published, actually) I remember thinking that it was cool and very simple (in a good way). Out of curiosity, who did the production on this CD? Magic Tree is f'in awesome.

[billhare]

A "schizophrenically spelled" title because they replaced an apostrophe with a 'g'?

I went into the ol' CASA Library (which conveniently lives here at my studio), and I get what he's saying - heh...

On the back of the CD it says Believin'
On the CD itself it says Believing
On the liner notes it says Believen'

So yes, three spellings, so I'll give him detail points on that one.

Out of curiosity, who did the production on this CD?

That would be the inimitable Dave Sperandio.

Having heard the Back Row version (which was recently picked for BOCA and is quite distinctive for its heavy production), I was curious to hear how an all-female group might have approached the song. (Not that I enjoy the original by any means, but I was curious if a less-produced sound could be effective on this song.)

Being the guy who mixed the Back Row version, so was I - this version is VERY different, but cool in its own right. Get the album and take a listen! :-)

For the record, I don't have issues with the artwork...

Nice to see Vienna Teng being covered - she was a good aca-arranger herself a decade back when she was in the Stanford Harmonics.

-B

[bstevens]

I've had "Dear Wally" and "Breathe" on permanent rotation -- I'm just amazed at the quality of 'student singing' these days! And in line with my music AD(H)D, I like the first half or so of "Magic Tree" but then wish for differences in the song itself; not a big fan of "you know" as metrical filler in adjacent lines within the same verse.

My kudos to the Signatures!

[RnBMrE]

A "schizophrenically spelled" title because they replaced an apostrophe with a 'g'?

I went into the ol' CASA Library (which conveniently lives here at my studio), and I get what he's saying - heh...

On the back of the CD it says Believin'
On the CD itself it says Believing
On the liner notes it says Believen'

So yes, three spellings, so I'll give him detail points on that one.

Detail points, sure... but you don't have to be an ass about the way you bring it up. Seemed a common motif in the review.

[dherriges]

And in line with my music AD(H)D

:: horrified gasp ::

First "schizophrenic" naming, now "music AD(H)D"! Don't you people have any respect for the mentally ill?!?! Geez!



.....

(PC Disclaimer: I actually do agree with people's criticisms of Kevin's review, despite above mockery.)

[carlyonders]

eh...despite what looked like some serious and sustained consideration from sawyer yesterday afternoon on the forum I somehow doubt he'll dignify us with a reply.

[GOBbluth]

I just want to say that I enjoyed this album but as far as "Magic Tree" goes.....Duke Out of the Blue kills that track and should've been featured on BOCA..in fact..they have the best female collegiate album this year

[Nick Lyons]

I just want to say that I enjoyed this album but as far as "Magic Tree" goes.....Duke Out of the Blue kills that track and should've been featured on BOCA..in fact..they have the best female collegiate album this year

I would respectfully disagree. I actually have both albums spinning in my car right now, and while I like both, I think the Sigs have a bit more sass.

Where's the siege?

[RnBMrE]

I just want to say that I enjoyed this album but as far as "Magic Tree" goes.....Duke Out of the Blue kills that track and should've been featured on BOCA..in fact..they have the best female collegiate album this year

I would respectfully disagree. I actually have both albums spinning in my car right now, and while I like both, I think the Sigs have a bit more sass.

Absolutely, Nick. The biggest difference for me, by far, is the Siggies' soloist. She's just easily better.

I do agree with GOBbluth, though, that the Duke OOTB album will be a tough one to beat this year come CARA time.

More anonymity.