The Arts
The Bates Student - September 26, 1997

 
 

From the archives

By ELLEN LEIBA
WRBC Recording Archivist
 
Holly McNarland's first full length CD, Stuff, is a departure from her first folk- orientated EP. On Stuff, McNarland embraces her passion and her anger, creating a rock album. This CD fits well with the current commercial alternative radio scene. While this is a solid CD, the songs flow well, and McNarland has a good voice and her style down, the majority of the songs felt too generic to elicit any true emotions from me.

More to my liking was the debut solo album by Tanya Donelly, formerly of Throwing Muses, the Breeders and Belly. Donelly has a haunting soprano voice that I enjoy; it lends some familiarity to her other projects. Lovesongs for Underdogs is just that - 12 beautiful lovesongs. Ranging from rock ("Bum," "Landspeed Song") to slower, flowing songs ("Manna"), Donelly mixes the bold and the introspective. The songs are catchy and despite some sadness and questioning found in lovesongs, they leave me feeling happy to have listened to this album.

The Trackhouse, the Valley, the Liquor Store Drive-Thru by Birddog is a fusion of acoustic country and folk that draws the listener in. A blend of soothing songs that blend into me, and notes of country and pop that jolt me awake, the album works both in the background and as a piece of music to sit down and listen to. I would recommend "Killer," "Parked Car Homestead," and "Saturday Night," a catchy song with definite pop qualities.
 
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Last Modified: 9/26/97
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