Serena Andrews is a tough one to crack. One minute she’s singing a Broadway-ish, super radio-friendly single, the next she’s getting all bizarro and experimental. She could probably go for something in between the two and gain a bit of consistency. Not that I don’t enjoy the eclecticism, I just think it can be further harnessed. I mean, who doesn’t like the whole dances-to-weirdo-beats-but-tries-to-get-really-deep female these days?
Serena Andrews – “My City” [MP3]
Serena Andrews – “The Dreams” [MP3]
Andrews released her synth heavy 11-track new album, Phoenix, on September 30 via her independent start-up Dream Siren Records.
Serena Andrews on Bandcamp | MySpace
(Did you think this post was about the band Phoenix? Because I totally would have with that big-ass album art. Do you not trust us anymore? Oh well.)
Hmm..to answer your question – me. I am not a fan. She seems to be trying too hard. There is a difference between experimental and trying to be different for weird’s sake. The second track is just silly.
Billy McCommis Reply:
October 28th, 2010 at 1:06 am
Abby? Would you know great music if you heard it? You obviously do not! This CD is amazing!
abby Reply:
October 28th, 2010 at 9:13 am
Well, of course, *I* think I have stellar taste. That said, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Isn’t that what’s so brilliant about music? For every person who isn’t a fan of a particular artist or band, there’s one who is. The industry would be sooooo boring otherwise. Enjoy your amazing. ~A
I’ve listened to Serena Andrew’s Phoenix now since release and I think this is a refreshing collection of music. Going middle of the road the whole time may be safe but I don’t think that is what an artist does. You have to test yourself and try different things. Some pay off and some don’t. In this case I think the pay off is great. I hear many layers in the music and appreciate the journey Phoenix takes me on. Serena’s soothing voice offers a stark contrast to the sometimes harsh tones of the piano and the crawl of the bass lines. My favorite track is “Fearless” but there are a lot of others close!
To Abbey, while I respect and agree your right to like what you like, please refrain from calling other people’s music trash. You could have made your point without sounding like a stuckup know-it-all.
C
Count me as someone who enjoys the piece as a practicing musician and a fan of
Cayman Reply:
October 28th, 2010 at 11:17 pm
Sorry for the cut-off above. My big thumbs got in the way! 🙂
abby Reply:
October 29th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
While I was using the idiom in its broader terms, that is to say “what is useless to one person might be valuable to another”, as I re-read my comment I can see your point in criticizing my delivery re: the word “trash”, Cayman. It wasn’t my intention to label it literally as garbage or rubbish. That said, I still don’t like the record. As I originally said, I do think it’s great (as illustrated in the comments here) that so many do.
Happy weekend.
This album is very creative yet has the potential to be radio friendly. It’s refreshing to hear music that has both of those elements and as a songwriter, I believe that is what makes a great song. I recommend this album from the every day listeners to the stuck up know it all music snobs.
This is what I’ve been looking for. Any critic this scared of change, is music I want to own. Glad I bought it on iTunes after reading the review because I love it. She’s like an American Bjork for the 21st century. She’s tapped in- totally.