Tiger Suit

tina — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 16:00:00 +0000

Let me just say that I love KT Tunstall. Love her. I can't help it, she's just so cool: She plays the guitar, writes her own songs, and has an amazing singing voice. She's attractive, but not so pretty that you hate her for it, and her clothes are hip without being ridiculous or over the top. Also, she's Scottish, which in my eyes makes her even cooler for some reason.

Fandom aside, Tunstall's latest album Tiger Suit is excellent and definitely worth buying. With its catchy rhythms and generous use of the synthesizer, it's probably the closest Tunstall will ever get to a dance album. It’s a fun album, but thanks to Tunstall's lyrics and resonating voice, not a shallow one.

The album kicks off with “Uummannaq,” which has so much energy pulsing through it that it's practically alive. Try listening to the whole song without dancing. Go on, I dare you. It's impossible. The beat is infectious and it's a great introduction to the rest of the album. The next few tracks on the album are all pleasant, if not entirely memorable songs.

“Fade Like a Shadow” follows and it’s Tunstall's first single off of the album, but I've got to say, I find it an odd choice. There's nothing wrong with the song per say, it's got a peppy beat and it's enjoyable enough, but there are stronger songs on this album that would have been better suited for radio play. “Lost”, for example, is one of my personal favorites from Tiger Suit. It's an emotional ballad that you find yourself getting, well, lost in. Tunstall sings, “I got lost following you. What did I do that for? Am I an idiot?” The sheer sense of confusion and sadness heard in Tunstall's voice makes the song poignant and very relatable.

Two tracks on the album feature a very country blues feel. Tunstall's raspy voice is used to perfection in “Golden Frames”, giving the song a wonderfully smoky, Southern Gothic vibe, while “Come On, Get In” is more upbeat and reminiscent of gospel music. “(Still A) Weirdo” and “Madame Trudeaux” weren't my favorite tracks on the album, but both feature impressive musical arrangements. The former with interesting synthesized effects and the latter with a solid, classic rock sound. The last track on Tiger Suit is “The Entertainer.” Tunstall's voice, soulful and raw, is accompanied by the strongest guitar playing featured on the album and the effect is very powerful. It's a reminder of how talented an artist Tunstall truly is.

Written by: Victoria Granado, November 22nd 2010

Atlantis: Hymns for Disco

admin — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 13:33:00 +0000

By k-os

Virgin Records

This is an impressive record. k-os is a rapper from Trinidad, who was raised in Toronto. His name stands for “Knowledge of Self.” The songs on this album steer clear of typical commercial hip-hop posturing. There is no talk of guns, gang violence or misogyny. In fact, on "The Rain," he openly reveals his pain over lost love.

k-os' honesty and workmanship shine through on every number. One of my favorites is "Sunday Morning." Here, k-os deals with the lonely quiet that is often the aftermath of a Saturday night at the club. His rhymes are clever, original and versatile. k-os is currently touring the United States after selling several platinum records in Canada.

I hope Atlantis: Hymns for Disco will give him the commercial and critical success he deserves. I will be interested to see how popular k-os becomes in the States. His refusal to make a quick buck pandering to hip-hop stereotypes is admirable. Overall, Atlantis: Hymns for Disco is a sign of change in the hip-hop game.

Written by: Steve Watson, March 26th 2007