Monday, October 27, 2014

Neil Diamond, Melody Road Review



Neil Diamond is one of those artists that my parents played from their lives, an artist that I heard all the time growing up in the 90's. He was prolific, and carried his 60's, 70's, sound. Something I will never forget. When I was offered, through the One2One network to listen to this album and review it, I jumped at the chance. Because I knew it was something I would enjoy. And I did.

If you are a Neil Diamond fan, this will add to your collection nicely. If you are not familiar with his sound, I recommend you get familiar, because it is worth the listen!

His new album, Melody Road, provides a path down nostalgia lane. His new album carries a lot of his signature sound, and it lulls you with its sweetness.

This is the perfect CD for someone going on a honeymoon, for someone in a good place. I highly recommend it for road tripping.


Neil Diamond has charted 37 Top 40 singles and 16 Top 10 albums in the U.S., which shows his dedication to the music world. He has contributed so much to the world, from his song writing, to his own radio tracks.

 His most recent original studio release, 2008’s Home Before Dark, debuted at #1 in the U.S. and the UK on the Billboard Top Albums chart.

Diamond is already inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, but continues producing works.

 ( The album is great for honey mooning or road tripping. Like along this nice dirt road.)

This is definitely an uplifting album, mostly about romance, love, and embracing the beauty of life. Flute, tambourine, guitar, and banjo mix together to create a beautiful melody, one reminiscent of his older works, almost fifty years ago.

My favorite song on the album is Seonagh and Jimmy a sweet ballad that says "each day is a promise, I'll never let you go." About the dreams of love, and overcoming the differences of language, ethnicity, and culture. Each song has similar elements, overcoming all for being the main message of the album, in my opinion.

Pick up your copy today!

 





Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Heart on My Sleeve Review


I've been hearing the name Mary Lambert everywhere. Everywhere. The first time I heard her melodic voice was in Macklemore and Ryan Lewis's smash hit Same Love. Tackling the hard topics of sexuality and prejudice. I knew I wanted to hear more of her voice in that instant, so when I was offered by One2One to review it, I jumped at the opportunity. This two time Grammy nominee Mary Lambert carries it all in her new album Heart On My Sleeve released Tuesday, October 14th, 2014. I found myself lost in her raw emotion.

Secrets is the first single off the album, with an already released video. It pushes away the ethos that we should hide who we are, hide those things that we don't like. "I don't care if the world knows what my secrets are." 

I can personally resonate with "Sometimes I cry the whole day," and a host of other lyrics on this entire song. It grabs you, surprises you, and makes you want to go along for the ride. There is a good reason it is the opener on the album. It is the epitome of what we all want to say, all while trying so desperately to hide.


Lyrics like "Kiss me like the world is gonna disappear," (So Far Away) pull me into the deep emotion that is her life. That is my life. It is the kind of album filled with songs that almost anyone, anyone who has been vulnerable in their life, can resonate with. I am a sucker for music that does this, and I find it rarely. 

Mary Lambert captures this voice, the little voice in so many people, the one calling to be heard. The one full of fear, and hope, and vulnerability. And she shines a light on it, unafraid of the exposure of all those things.

Her poem, Dear One, really speaks to me. The love and want and raw emotion of finding the one, her Dear One. It pulls me in and makes me want to hold my Dear One close.


I'm totally in love with this album, and I know it is going to be one of those that I rely on for writing, for working out, for those moments when I just need to vegetate to something that speaks to me.

Mary Lambert can speak to us all. I recommend that you discover what resonates with you in Heart On My Sleeve by picking up a copy via Amazon or iTunes Today, Tuesday, October 14th. You can  more about Mary Lambert by following her on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube, and visit her website at www.marylambertsings.com.
Include the following disclosure statement: I participated in the Mary Lambert Heart On My Sleeve album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided a free album to review but all opinions are my own.