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Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Anna Rose Debut EP CD Review

Anna Rose Debut EP

Anna Rose, perhaps a name you’ve not heard before, but then again maybe you will soon …

This EP was released late last year and is I’m sure a little taster of bigger things to come. Anna cites her influences as Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix to name a few, but her mentor is Arlen Roth who has performed alongside Bob Dylan and Paul Simon and others. Anna describes him as ‘the best living guitarist on the planet.’

OK, enough of that, let’s get onto the music and who playing here.
Anna plays guitar and obviously handles all lead vocals. She is backed here by, Adam Stoler – Guitars, Tyler McDiarmid – Guitars, Jamie Bishop – Bass, Jordan Perlson – Drums / percussion as well as Arlen Roth – Guitars and Leon Pendarvis – Piano / Synths / Organ.

Yes I know, this isn’t a rocking release, more thoughtful folk rock with some soul to be honest, but I do like it. It makes a change for me.

Opening with mid-paced track ‘The Four Corners,’ which starts with some acoustic before a little electric guitar kicks in and then her voice is instantly beautiful, clear and very good!
Sure she may sounds similar to others, but musically she’s making her own way.
There’s some nice guitar here too interspersing the verses and choruses.

The haunting ‘Picture’ picks up and drops a little here and there and also has a nice electric lead break or two – Not many on here! There’s almost a hint of towards Janis Joplin in her vocal too.

Harmony vocals become more apparent on, ‘In The Morning View’ and some eerie guitar wail at times, but a slightly upbeat track where Anna almost reminds us of Joni Mitchell a little.

Soulful best describes the ballad ‘Wiltshire Blvd’ with its distinct organ and atmospheric ivory tinkling here and there. Some nice laid back blues guitar too. Very nice.

Final track here is, ‘You Got It For Free,’ which perhaps hints at a Dylan type tune, but in my mind better – I never got into Bob Dylan. Perhaps there’s a little nod to Heart’s lighter songs, with a little steel guitar thrown in at the end here. Sounds good!

Overall there’s not a lot of music here to weigh up, but a very respectable debut. It will be interesting to see how far Anna Rose will stretch her wings on a complete album.
If you’d like to check out more about Anna Rose go to:
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

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