Noise 101: CD Reviews for Sept. 24

Slow Leaves

Beauty Is So Common

Slow Leaves

Score: A

Beauty is so Common marks the greatest album thus far for Winnipeg country-tinged folk singer Grant Davidson.

The collaboration of Davidson and Manitoba musician Rusty Matyas was a perfect match for this album. With Davidson’s poetic melodies and Matyas’ pop harmonic arrangement, this album is the perfect playlist for those late night study sessions. The first track of the album, “Everybody Wants to be in Love” is nothing but pure honesty, with piano and guitar creating the perfect melody for the poetic lyrics. Tracks range from more upbeat songs like the hit of the album “Life of a Better Man” to more easy going melodies such as “Institution”. Beauty is so Common is a perfect showcase of Canadian talent. The album is definitely worth checking out.

— Zana El-Youssef

U2

Songs of Innocence

Island Records

Score: D

Already infamous for being the album no one wanted, all Apple users were “treated” to a free copy of U2’s latest release, Songs of Innocence.

The album is nothing special. It sounds just as you’d expect U2 to sound; it has a soft rock, emotional vibe that takes itself just a little too seriously. Not all of the tracks are terrible, per se— “California (There Is No End to Love)” has an almost danceable beat. “Sleep Like a Baby Tonight” has a darker feel to it with a staccato pulse. The album really falls short on tracks like “Raised By Wolves,” is ultimately a flat, boring track with Bono straining to sing the lyrics. Obvious marketing miscalculation aside, this album leaves much to be desired.

— Becca Paterson

Graham Nicholas

Sometimes Chicken, Sometimes Feathers

Score: C-

A fixture on the folk and roots scene in Ontario, Graham Nicholas releases his latest full-length album, Sometimes Chicken, Sometimes Feathers. Nicholas pens the conflicts of his characters and presents each narrative in an empathetic manner. Nicholas’ honest song writing is one of his greatest strengths. Unfortunately, inconsistent vocals from Nicholas, make this sound more like a compilation album. “Heart, Please Forgive Me” compared to “Happy Ending” make Nicholas sounds like a different person. “Sunday Kinda Love” sung with vocalist Raven Shields is one of the few well done pieces. Overall, Sometimes Chicken, Sometimes Feathers, is just that — a few hits and just as many misses.

— Ato Baako