ORIGINAL MUSIC REVIEWS: HARSH MISTRESS

ORIGINAL MUSIC REVIEWS

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ARTIST - JAY SHEPARD

GENRE / STYLE - ROCK / POP

CD REVIEW - HARSH MISTRESS

PRODUCED BY - MATTY AMENDOLA & JAY SHEPARD

At Original music reviews we often get emails, have Facebook and email conversations, or talk in person with other unsigned or inde original artists who wonder why their music doesn't seem to reach the next level. More times than not, these are the same people who invite us to join them in playing a game online. Here is some advice from us to them about their music career (or lack of)... Stop Playing with your JOY STICK and start playing your instrument.

Today's review is on the CD Harsh Mistress. Here is an example of how hard work, mixed with talent, can take you up the music ladder.

Some music artist rely on hundreds of people to get their music recorded and put out there for others to hear. The opposite is true regarding the album Harsh Mistress. The level of success for this body of work is all on the shoulders of just two people: Jay Shepard and Matty Amendola.

All of the songs on the album HARSH MISTRESS are written by Jay Shepard. The vocals are by Jay Shepard. Guitars by Jay Shepard. Bass by Jay Shepard. Keyboard by Jay Shepard. Synthesizer by Jay Shepard. Some drum Programming is (you guessed it) by Jay Shepard. He had a hand in recording, mixing, and producing this entire CD. (Guess music is more important to him than xbox.)

Matty Amendola is another guy who seems to always be doing something in the music world. Besides working with various artists, running a recording studio and inde label called 825 Records out of Brooklyn, New York, he had a hand in recording, mixing, and producing this fine CD. He also co-wrote the song "Come Back Home" and played drums on the album. Matty Amendola maybe one of the hardest working men in the music indesphere. (Guess he also could give two S***S about video games.)

Here is a review of some of my most favorable moments from this album:

( play samples here )

"She's The Fire"
Simple yet catchy intro sample loop playfully played throughout the tune. The music is funky and groove oriented. Lyrics are about woofing on a girl. "She's the Fire, I wanna get burned." Dancers all across America can swing to the slow sexy groove as they get onto the stage. One of my favorite tracks off of the album.

"Come Back Home"

The tune is catchy enough for terrestrial radio but nuanced enough for web radio airplay. An upbeat melody for a difficult subject matter: Being nervous while begging for forgiveness. Most humans have had to do it once or twice in our lives. It can be difficult, but this song easily explains what sometimes happens when one goes through the experience. Good lyrics include: "I tremble from the outside inside" and "stutter from my first to my last word." They sure do set the tone in this song.

"Last Man On Earth"

Another legit radio friendly song. The music is well written. It is up beat and easily remembered. The vocal presentation is very catchy. One can tell that he's singing with a smile. The lyrics may say "twisted little look, she got me with her hooks" but the song got my attention hook, line, and sinker.

The vocals off of the album are smooth laid back pop - rock. The songs themselves are not in any need of any glass shattering octaves, so a huge vocal range is not needed. The vocal presentation can be direct or sarcastic depending on the subject matter. At times the soft spoken all the times clear and clean.

Jay Shepard's guitar work on this album is solid. He imports various styles, influences, and touches depending on the track; however most songs are anchored in blues driven 70's style of rock. It is executed with a pop twist. Good rhythm guitar sounds.

There is a hard balance, for any original music artist, to accomplish sounding correct note for note and delivering artistic expression or emotion in playing any instrument, especially guitar. While each chord seems to be on point, in my opinion, more emotion is the only thing that I would have like to have heard/felt more of. More emotion and less instrumental technique, especially in the solos.

Matty Amendola's drum & percussion work is on time. A click track could not be better. He is there without over shadowing the rest of the instruments.

The mix is better than many "major label" releases. A nice blend with no bleed overs or things out of whack. Volume levels are flowing and have a good target peek. Vocals are clear and understandable even at the times various effects are on them. Overall a clean mix.

My ears could not decipher who is responsible for the successful update on the pop rock taste off of the album Harsh Mistress. My thoughts kept going back and forth. Is it the guitarist, the vocalist, the sound engineer, or who did the mixing? The answer is... BOTH Jay Shepard & Matty Amendola and they should get the credit for the success of this CD. Both are some of the hardest working people in the indesphere today, who play well but have no time for games.

-Alex

Original Music Reviews

www.OriginalMusicReviews.BlogSpot.com

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