My Amazon Reviews: Ed Sheeran "X"

Be Fruitful and Multiply
4 Out Of 5 Stars

Ed Sheeran makes his play for more mainstream sound on his second major label album "X" (multiply). His previous album "+" was a singer-songwriter triumph. I thought it was the breakout album of the year. It also established Ed as a bona fide star and an unlikely sex symbol. Yet after that explosion of success, Sheeran decides to mess with the formula. The resulting album is a frustrating mix of sensitive singer-songwriter material and urban hip-hop influences.

Ed has a rather thin voice to start with, and when he applies it to wrap he's whiter than Vanilla Ice.this takes up three of "X's" twelve songs. While the songs are distraction, they don't totally dilute the quality of the album. It's also worth noting it's also worth noting that "X" suffers from multiple producer syndrome, bouncing back and forth between Jake Gosling and hip-hop icon Pharell. While Gosling handles the more sensitive singer-songwriter material, its Pharell that pushes Sheeran in the more urban direction. Sometimes it works to spectacular effect, as it did on the hit single "Sing." "Sing" is a high point on the album.

But then again, you're stuck with the rap songs. The worst of these is "The Man," which almost caused me to dock the album by a full star. Not only is the rap annoying, the song is unnecessarily censored. Sheeran, with all the twists and turns he makes on "X," turns sheepish and bleeps a couple of f-bombs and a reference to defecating. If he's so intent on establishing his credibility as both a singer-songwriter and urban contemporary recording artist, then cutting out words that some might find offensive is cheap. You're a good enough singer and a songwriter that you could've easily used different words. Leaving them on the album only to cut them in post-production is not an admirable trait.

Overall, "X" is a satisfying album. Sheeran is possibly one of the most gifted singer songwriters of the present day, and for whatever flaws this album has, it overcomes them just on the basis of sheer talent. If you're willing to overlook Sheeran's voyages into hip-hop and rap, ("+" also explored these elements, but not to the extent that "X" does) then you will enjoy this album. If not, then this review serves both purposes of being a warning and an endorsement.

     

My Amazon Reviews: Matisyahu "Spark Seeker"

Squeezing Out Sparks
4 Out Of 5 Stars

Matisyahu must have known his number was just about up. "Spark Seeker" finds him ditching the eclecticism of "Light" and "Youth" for a more electronic, hip hop (read, mainstream) sound. There's a lot of Auto-tuning and phase-shifted vocals and some guest appearances (rapper Shyne being the biggest name). In the biggest concession of all, gone are the huge beard and Hasidim garb. Heck, he's on a motorcycle on the album's inner-photo.

What this means for the music is actually very little. Middle Eastern influences are melded into the hip-hop and rap; right from the beginning with one J.Ralph, he kicks off what sounds like a call to prayer ("Crossroads"). Hebrew choruses and verses mix in with the ultra slick beats, courtesy of producer Kool Kojak. Kojak's credits are mainly along the lines of Ke$sha, Nicki Manaj, Katy Perry and many others, so you know this was a crafted sonic move. But Matisyahu can't help it. He remains as eclectic as ever with a greater - if that is possible - sense of being an uplifting force in his music.

There's a smooth sax solo in "Summer Wind," and a powerful lyric in "Fire Of Freedom" and slinky groove of "Tel Avivin'." Which is not a false way to groove as the man recorded "Spark Seeker" both in Los Angeles and Israel. Matisyahu took his own journey to make this album in the personal and mystical sense, with the end result being his tightest and possibly his most provocative disc to date.

     

My Amazon Reviews: Matisyahu "Light"

No Longer Just a Novelty
4 Out Of 5 Stars

The trail of Matisyahu is one of an unlikely pop star. Highschool dropout cum jam band devotee cum reggae/hip-hop devotee, his stage antics made him something of a flavor of the month. I have to admit, the press made me want to find out more about him, and his albums filled the bill. This generously bearded kid sounded like the real deal, but he also had the potential to become yesterday's news.

"Light" aims to break beyond the back story to make Matisyahu into a music force to be reckoned with. Musically, it succeeds. Sadly, his hipster cred appears to have vaporized; while "Youth" debuted in the Top 5, "Light" barely made the Top 20 and fell off the charts quickly after.

Which is to point at the crappy tastes of hipsters. "Light" is a huge major leap from "Youth" in that Matisyahu stretches out from the reggae/Hip-Hop and pushes into rock and roll ("Motivate") and blends genres throughout the album. The simple and solemn "Silence" closes the album with a soft and tender ballad. Producer David Kahne - who has worked with everyone from Paul McCartney to Fishbone - gives an able assist to "Light's" skimming of styles. But it all comes down to Matisyahu himself. On "Light," he proves he is here for keeps. The winter Olympics made his best song here, the spiritual call to arms of "One Day," unavoidable. If the release of the album managed to slip under your radar, rest assured that "Light" is worth a few spins on your disc player.