Music Reviews
Entertainment/Music
Music Review by Entertainment Columnist Janine Slayton
Janine Slayton is a very important to the Fabulous Woman Team. She is not only one of our most popular writers she is a Copy Editor, Assistant Editor, Reporter, and Entertainment Columnist. Janine considers herself to be your typical mid-twenties struggling English major. She graduated from Roosevelt University in 2006 with her BA in English and Secondary Education. While not currently teaching, her passion for English finds her reading and writing in much of her spare time. Her other passion is music, so when her head isn't in a book, it is usually lost in a melody.
Cradlesong by Rob Thomas
Reviewed by Janine Slayton
Rob Thomas's latest solo release, Cradlesong, seems to make it official: The man can do no wrong. On Cradlesong, his second solo album, Thomas is absolutely at his best with an arsenal of songs that will take you on an emotional journey, his smooth voice leading the way.
One of Rob Thomas's greatest strengths is the emotion he pours into all of his music. If you've ever seen him singing live, energy and feeling seem to ooze from his pours, something that is obvious even watching the performance on mute. But on a record, you can hear the emotion behind the song in every note he sings, whether the song is about heartbreak, love, anger, or frustration. His voice and music resonate in the soul of the listener, something many artists are unable to achieve.
Cradlesong has a little bit of everything song-wise. Overall it seems to be about the universalities of being human; the struggles, challenges, and triumphs we all face. For example, in the up-tempo "Real World '09," Thomas sings "welcome to the real world/nobody told you it was gonna be hard you said/hey yeah/I can't believe it/I barely started now I'm falling apart," a sentiment I think almost anyone can relate to at one time or another. In the slower, sadder "Someday," he tells a story about a person stuck in their life, unsure of the next step to take. He reminds us that just because there is a struggle now, that doesn't mean it will last forever, as he sings "Maybe someday we'll live our lives out loud/we'll be better off somehow, someday." Sometimes, all we need to do is step back and "start all over again" to figure things out.
One of the most powerful songs on the album is "Fire on the Mountain," which really stands out. Starting out slowly with only a tribal-like drum beat and then Thomas's voice, it suddenly crescendos into a powerful, anthem-like song. The song stirs something deep within the soul of the listener, quickening the pulse as the song builds and takes you over. While the entire album is good, there is just something about this song that really grabs hold and doesn't let go.
Cradlesong is really a masterpiece for Rob Thomas. There is not a bad song on the album, and Thomas showcases his versatility. He's got one of the most enchanting, soulful voices around, and he has created an album with a great range of songs. Cradlesong is more reminiscent of Matchbox Twenty than his first solo release, ensuring plenty of smooth rock with a few great up-tempo songs to dance to. This album is a can't-miss if you are a fan of Rob Thomas or Matchbox Twenty, or are just looking for something new
to listen to.
Reviewed by Janine Slayton
Rob Thomas's latest solo release, Cradlesong, seems to make it official: The man can do no wrong. On Cradlesong, his second solo album, Thomas is absolutely at his best with an arsenal of songs that will take you on an emotional journey, his smooth voice leading the way.
One of Rob Thomas's greatest strengths is the emotion he pours into all of his music. If you've ever seen him singing live, energy and feeling seem to ooze from his pours, something that is obvious even watching the performance on mute. But on a record, you can hear the emotion behind the song in every note he sings, whether the song is about heartbreak, love, anger, or frustration. His voice and music resonate in the soul of the listener, something many artists are unable to achieve.
Cradlesong has a little bit of everything song-wise. Overall it seems to be about the universalities of being human; the struggles, challenges, and triumphs we all face. For example, in the up-tempo "Real World '09," Thomas sings "welcome to the real world/nobody told you it was gonna be hard you said/hey yeah/I can't believe it/I barely started now I'm falling apart," a sentiment I think almost anyone can relate to at one time or another. In the slower, sadder "Someday," he tells a story about a person stuck in their life, unsure of the next step to take. He reminds us that just because there is a struggle now, that doesn't mean it will last forever, as he sings "Maybe someday we'll live our lives out loud/we'll be better off somehow, someday." Sometimes, all we need to do is step back and "start all over again" to figure things out.
One of the most powerful songs on the album is "Fire on the Mountain," which really stands out. Starting out slowly with only a tribal-like drum beat and then Thomas's voice, it suddenly crescendos into a powerful, anthem-like song. The song stirs something deep within the soul of the listener, quickening the pulse as the song builds and takes you over. While the entire album is good, there is just something about this song that really grabs hold and doesn't let go.
Cradlesong is really a masterpiece for Rob Thomas. There is not a bad song on the album, and Thomas showcases his versatility. He's got one of the most enchanting, soulful voices around, and he has created an album with a great range of songs. Cradlesong is more reminiscent of Matchbox Twenty than his first solo release, ensuring plenty of smooth rock with a few great up-tempo songs to dance to. This album is a can't-miss if you are a fan of Rob Thomas or Matchbox Twenty, or are just looking for something new
to listen to.