Downside Up

admin — Sat, 12 May 2007 22:45:00 +0000

Alison Ray’s debut, Downside Up is obviously influenced by Melissa Etheridge and Sheryl Crow. Besides the bland production, Ray’s voice is problematic: while it may be charming, it sounds terribly unripe – imagine if Paula Abdul got her hands on Sheryl Crow’s backing tapes.

The best songs on the album are the ones that take advantage of her thin vocals. The album’s first single, “Does the D.J. Know” is a decent, catchy song about a lost love that the singer is constantly reminded of when she hears a song on the radio.

Better is the lovely “What If I,” a pretty song reassuring a lover that she won’t hurt him. The song offers Ray a chance to shine, as she sings clever, hypothetical questions to assuage her boyfriend: “What if I came here like an angel; what if I were your destiny?”

Also enjoyable is “Change Is Coming Soon,” a song revisiting the theme of failed relationships, though this one benefits from some clever imagery (comparing the singer’s bruised psyche with an urban landscape).

The worst songs on Downside Up are cookie cutter adult pop. It’s as if producer, Marc Tanner, used a template to craft the tracks: a moody first verse; a crashing chorus, complete with walls of guitars, strings and whatever other noises he’s managed to fit; a guitar solo that recall early '90s rock ballads; and finally, a return to the wailing chorus. The songs follow this structure, with surprising rigidity, and though the intent is consistency, the result is monotony. The music sounds like competent session work. If Ray wants to succeed, she needs to find herself. Judging from Downside Up, she’s still searching.

Written by: Peter Piatkowski, May 12th 2007

There’s Always Tomorrow

admin — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 11:23:00 +0000

By Alison Ray

Chime Entertainment

When I opened [There’s Always Tomorrow], I was first taken with the layout and colors of the cover and inner jacket. The boldness of the red and the muted blue really complimented each other and gave the sense of class and distinction. I also thought Alison could be a model if this singing thing doesn’t work out. With a slender build and long, flowing reddish brown hair, she is quite striking.

When I slipped the CD into my player, I was almost immediately hit by the tone of the singer. To me she sounds a little bit like Cyndi Lauper, who I grew up listening to. She has that high pitched tone to her voice with a slight warble. Unfortunately, Cyndi Lauper is not one of my favorite singers. However, I did like the message the song embodied. I also like the fact that the words of the songs were displayed on the inner jacket; it makes for a more enjoyable listening experience.

While the message and lyrics are good, I was not drawn to the singer’s voice. I think the vocals could have been stronger to really portray the message of this song, which is that not matter how you feel today, there’s always tomorrow. Life is ever changing and one day is never like the next. Just hold and believe that there are better things to come. This is a message that we all should try and remember when those darker moments in life rear their ugly head.

Written by: Amber Whitman-Currier, April 29th 2007