Title: Pretty Little Dead Girl
Artist: Seanan McGuire and Friends (
cadhla)
Website: http://seananmcguire.com
Behind the Music: Explanation of the songs by the writer herself!
Overall: I have to admit that I'm not usually a huge fan of live performances, but this cd does not suffer from the same problems that other Live cds have. The recordings are very nice and clear. I don't hear as much background noise (which is usually my biggest complaint, as I order a cd to hear the music, not to hear the crowd), and just nicely balanced in all. A wonderful set of songs, going from serious and slow to rock and roll fun. The lyrics are probably some of the best I've heard in awhile, in the fact they are engaging and more than.. well. Let's just say it's nice to hear something other than "oooo-oooo, loooove huuuuurtssss".
cadhla picked some wonderful people to perform with, wonderful voices, fabulous instrumentalists and just a wonderful blend of sounds. A cd well worth the wait, in my opinion, and well worth the money. In fact, the beauty of the harmonies in some of these songs has made me curious as to the songs that her back-up singers would sing. Such beautiful voices in the harmonies.
The only possible complaint I could have for the overall is catching the edges of the speaking parts of her performance between the songs. But, y'know what, hardly noticeable, so not even a huge problem here.
Song: I Am (The Doppelganger's Song)
I really enjoyed this piece. I don't know, yet, what my favourite song is, but this is definitely in the running for it. I love the guitar part to it, a great accompaniment to really fabulous lyrics. I love the changes of tone in Seanan's voice and the way she plays with the words. I really enjoy how the music was written, playing between the opposites of soft picking and rougher strumming, fitting very well with the theme of the lyrics. It's a great solo song.
I really have no negative comments on this song, just kudos to the guitarist and a true enjoyment of the lyrics and melody.
Song: Phantoms of Summer
Another slower song, with gorgeous lyrics. I love the harmony in this. It's a very beautiful song that makes me vaguely nostalgic, which is I think some of the point of the song. I love the violin line throughout, as it adds to the wistfulness inherent in the lyrics.
Song: Snapshots
Another slower song. Again with a soft guitar in the background, a wonderful violin accompaniment, and great harmony. This is a bit of a sadder song than the others and listening to it (really listening to it) can make tears appear in my eyes. I'm not even as attached to the people it's about, but it's such a gorgeous song.
I'm afraid, no real critique of this song either. It's not my fault that Seanan has written such good songs and picked just the right people to accompany her.
Song: River Lies
This song starts off with again, a nice guitar theme, and a male voice (Paul Kwinn). This is my first critique, as the male voice, while nice, feels a little less confident. In parts of the song, Paul has some clear problems, having to stop and clear his throat. But not through the whole song. About half way through the Paul gets much more confident sounding and fits much more nicely with Seanan's. I would love to hear this one in the studio, where Paul has more time to warm through his voice and will carry it more confidently throughout the whole song. Because other than sounding like he's not as warmed up as he'd like, he has a warm, round voice that is very nice. Somewhat.. folksy, in a sense, with the accent.
Song: Maybe It's Crazy
A fun song now, more upbeat, with a more bluesy theme to it. You get some hollers from the crowd, which is much more appropriate for this song, as you can still hear Seanan and it's a whole lot of fun.
Only downside? I think some of the notes were a little low for her voice, because she fades out a little on the low notes at the end of lines. It doesn't really detract too much from the fun of this song (which has such a great thrumming beat) and the fantastic lyrics. This is definitely one of my favorite on this cd.
Song: Vampire Slayer Blues
This is -very- bluesy, as suggested by the name of the song with a fabulous guitar thrumming beat. It makes me want to move, which I always see as a plus in a song like this. It should make you want to tap your feet.
I'm afraid I'm biased towards this song as a Buffy fan. It's just loads of fun, and great for a laugh.
Song: Modern Mystic
I'm not sure how to describe this song. It's song in a wonderfully sliding way, that is nearly seductive, but.. not quite. I really enjoy the lyrics on this, in just a lyric way, not in the 'fun to hear when sung'. The music is suggestive, in a variety of ways, and very fitting to the lyrics.
Again, lack of critique. I'm a horrible reviewer, but I really enjoy this cd.
Song: Fly Little Bird
This has no instrument accompaniment, only vocal. It reminds me of a round, though it doesn't do anything of the sort, just the sound of the background voice. This gives it a very different sound to the rest of the songs. It's great, and very interesting to hear, you can pay more attention to the lyrics. It's very simple in its sound, and a little deceptive in that sense, as it's always hard for people to do such completely different background singing without any instruments to help them. I really enjoy this song for that. I think it's a great idea to have a song (based on the deceptiveness of cuckoos) to sound so deceptively simple.
Song: This Is My Town
Back to a nice guitar/violin accompaniment and nice harmonies. I don't have as much to say about this one, it's a nice song to listen to. It doesn't have some of the distinctiveness as some of the other songs, but it doesn't lack in its own goodness.
Song: Sycamore Tree
I have listened to this one a lot. It used to be the only one I had, before I actually received the cd, and it's so addicting. The layering of the voices is complex and wonderful to listen to. It's a bit of a complex ear worm that sneaks into my head during the day and makes me just randomly sing. Here we have Tony Fabris, doing a wonderful job (I think) of singing and accompanying on guitar, and Michelle Dockrey on female background vocals. Both do a tremendous job here with the layering.
This is also the longest of the all the songs (although Pretty Little Dead Girl clocks in at 6 min 17 sec, some of it is not actual singing). I hardly notice it, as it remains interesting through the whole time. This will probably remain as one of my most listened to songs on this cd.
Song: Pretty Little Dead Girl
This is a rock'n'roll tune. Old rock'n'roll, we're talking girl groups of the 50s sound. I love this sound and they do it really well. It's such a fun song. The only thing I'm not as fond of is the introduction they kept in. It's a little slow and I don't doubt that I'll become less fond of it over time. A shame, because I really enjoy the song, because it keeps that 50's theme going in it. I probably would have liked the introduction more if I had seen it live, because the guy has the right tone of voice for introducing a fake group singing about a ghost racer.
Each of the little stories has great character to it, and I really enjoy the little chant/sing part after each part.
All in all, a funny song that must have been great fun to perform. It certainly sounds like it!
Note: Most of my critiques will come as a vocalist. I have been singing for the majority of my life, and even considered (seriously for at least a year or so) trying for a conservatory and Opera. (Or perhaps musicals..). Thus, my knowledge of guitars/violins and such are rather limited. I have more experience with piano, and that is not used in this cd. So, yes, I keep my opinions a little bit more limited to what I know. Thanks!
PS: These are all opinions. No one else has to agree with them. In fact, the only reason I think people would is because this cd rocks my socks off, and apparently other people as well
Artist: Seanan McGuire and Friends (
Website: http://seananmcguire.com
Behind the Music: Explanation of the songs by the writer herself!
Overall: I have to admit that I'm not usually a huge fan of live performances, but this cd does not suffer from the same problems that other Live cds have. The recordings are very nice and clear. I don't hear as much background noise (which is usually my biggest complaint, as I order a cd to hear the music, not to hear the crowd), and just nicely balanced in all. A wonderful set of songs, going from serious and slow to rock and roll fun. The lyrics are probably some of the best I've heard in awhile, in the fact they are engaging and more than.. well. Let's just say it's nice to hear something other than "oooo-oooo, loooove huuuuurtssss".
The only possible complaint I could have for the overall is catching the edges of the speaking parts of her performance between the songs. But, y'know what, hardly noticeable, so not even a huge problem here.
Song: I Am (The Doppelganger's Song)
I really enjoyed this piece. I don't know, yet, what my favourite song is, but this is definitely in the running for it. I love the guitar part to it, a great accompaniment to really fabulous lyrics. I love the changes of tone in Seanan's voice and the way she plays with the words. I really enjoy how the music was written, playing between the opposites of soft picking and rougher strumming, fitting very well with the theme of the lyrics. It's a great solo song.
I really have no negative comments on this song, just kudos to the guitarist and a true enjoyment of the lyrics and melody.
Song: Phantoms of Summer
Another slower song, with gorgeous lyrics. I love the harmony in this. It's a very beautiful song that makes me vaguely nostalgic, which is I think some of the point of the song. I love the violin line throughout, as it adds to the wistfulness inherent in the lyrics.
Song: Snapshots
Another slower song. Again with a soft guitar in the background, a wonderful violin accompaniment, and great harmony. This is a bit of a sadder song than the others and listening to it (really listening to it) can make tears appear in my eyes. I'm not even as attached to the people it's about, but it's such a gorgeous song.
I'm afraid, no real critique of this song either. It's not my fault that Seanan has written such good songs and picked just the right people to accompany her.
Song: River Lies
This song starts off with again, a nice guitar theme, and a male voice (Paul Kwinn). This is my first critique, as the male voice, while nice, feels a little less confident. In parts of the song, Paul has some clear problems, having to stop and clear his throat. But not through the whole song. About half way through the Paul gets much more confident sounding and fits much more nicely with Seanan's. I would love to hear this one in the studio, where Paul has more time to warm through his voice and will carry it more confidently throughout the whole song. Because other than sounding like he's not as warmed up as he'd like, he has a warm, round voice that is very nice. Somewhat.. folksy, in a sense, with the accent.
Song: Maybe It's Crazy
A fun song now, more upbeat, with a more bluesy theme to it. You get some hollers from the crowd, which is much more appropriate for this song, as you can still hear Seanan and it's a whole lot of fun.
Only downside? I think some of the notes were a little low for her voice, because she fades out a little on the low notes at the end of lines. It doesn't really detract too much from the fun of this song (which has such a great thrumming beat) and the fantastic lyrics. This is definitely one of my favorite on this cd.
Song: Vampire Slayer Blues
This is -very- bluesy, as suggested by the name of the song with a fabulous guitar thrumming beat. It makes me want to move, which I always see as a plus in a song like this. It should make you want to tap your feet.
I'm afraid I'm biased towards this song as a Buffy fan. It's just loads of fun, and great for a laugh.
Song: Modern Mystic
I'm not sure how to describe this song. It's song in a wonderfully sliding way, that is nearly seductive, but.. not quite. I really enjoy the lyrics on this, in just a lyric way, not in the 'fun to hear when sung'. The music is suggestive, in a variety of ways, and very fitting to the lyrics.
Again, lack of critique. I'm a horrible reviewer, but I really enjoy this cd.
Song: Fly Little Bird
This has no instrument accompaniment, only vocal. It reminds me of a round, though it doesn't do anything of the sort, just the sound of the background voice. This gives it a very different sound to the rest of the songs. It's great, and very interesting to hear, you can pay more attention to the lyrics. It's very simple in its sound, and a little deceptive in that sense, as it's always hard for people to do such completely different background singing without any instruments to help them. I really enjoy this song for that. I think it's a great idea to have a song (based on the deceptiveness of cuckoos) to sound so deceptively simple.
Song: This Is My Town
Back to a nice guitar/violin accompaniment and nice harmonies. I don't have as much to say about this one, it's a nice song to listen to. It doesn't have some of the distinctiveness as some of the other songs, but it doesn't lack in its own goodness.
Song: Sycamore Tree
I have listened to this one a lot. It used to be the only one I had, before I actually received the cd, and it's so addicting. The layering of the voices is complex and wonderful to listen to. It's a bit of a complex ear worm that sneaks into my head during the day and makes me just randomly sing. Here we have Tony Fabris, doing a wonderful job (I think) of singing and accompanying on guitar, and Michelle Dockrey on female background vocals. Both do a tremendous job here with the layering.
This is also the longest of the all the songs (although Pretty Little Dead Girl clocks in at 6 min 17 sec, some of it is not actual singing). I hardly notice it, as it remains interesting through the whole time. This will probably remain as one of my most listened to songs on this cd.
Song: Pretty Little Dead Girl
This is a rock'n'roll tune. Old rock'n'roll, we're talking girl groups of the 50s sound. I love this sound and they do it really well. It's such a fun song. The only thing I'm not as fond of is the introduction they kept in. It's a little slow and I don't doubt that I'll become less fond of it over time. A shame, because I really enjoy the song, because it keeps that 50's theme going in it. I probably would have liked the introduction more if I had seen it live, because the guy has the right tone of voice for introducing a fake group singing about a ghost racer.
Each of the little stories has great character to it, and I really enjoy the little chant/sing part after each part.
All in all, a funny song that must have been great fun to perform. It certainly sounds like it!
Note: Most of my critiques will come as a vocalist. I have been singing for the majority of my life, and even considered (seriously for at least a year or so) trying for a conservatory and Opera. (Or perhaps musicals..). Thus, my knowledge of guitars/violins and such are rather limited. I have more experience with piano, and that is not used in this cd. So, yes, I keep my opinions a little bit more limited to what I know. Thanks!
PS: These are all opinions. No one else has to agree with them. In fact, the only reason I think people would is because this cd rocks my socks off, and apparently other people as well
- Current Mood:
amused - Current Music:"Pretty Little Dead Girl" by Seanan McGuire and Friends from Pretty Little Dead Girl

Comments
Yeah, it sounded like he was trying (valiantly) to get something out of his throat. It's not pleasant singing on the beginnings of a cold. :/
Overall, thank you for a very detailed and well-considered review!
vixy (Michelle)
You have a really beautiful voice, and not just that, but you sing -well-. (I've heard people with beautiful voices who could sing nicely, but didn't control their voices well enough to get the most of the sound they could produce)..
Give me a little time, we're short of money now but I want to buy your cd, if that's possible. I have noticed that the whole international thing sometimes makes it a bit tougher. :)
Any time is fine; just email me to work out the details. No Hurry (as it were).
*rereads* Umm, that doesn't mean that I disagree with your review or don't like the CD. (I realize that "I have my own opinions" might sound like that.) In particular, I had a similar reaction to "Maybe It's Crazy," so it was interesting to hear that someone else thought some of those notes might have been a bit low.
All transcribed out into sheet music form, "Sycamore Tree", at standard sized fonts, is sixteen pages.
With a lot of creative resizing and scooching, I managed to get it down to eight.
Heh.
Are the guitar chords on there too?
LMG
(one of the background voices on Fly Little Bird)
Paul (Kwinn)