Blogcritics Author: A.L. Harper

Interview: Band of the Week - The Canon Logic

A.L. Harper — Sun, 3 Aug 2008 12:04:26 EDT

a funky brand of power-pop that mixes 60s sounds, beach-pop melodies, and brit-rock bounce...
The Philadelphia – via Delaware – based band Canon Logic make a funky brand of power-pop that mixes 60s sounds, like the beach-pop melodies of The Beach Boys and the brit-rock bounce of the early Beatles, with contemporary beats and lyrics. The retro power-pop/indie-rock sound this creates is unique in today's mainstream musical...

Book Review: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

A.L. Harper — Fri, 4 Jul 2008 09:31:45 EDT

I believe you make your own treasure and light in life.
Recently a friend recommended I read a book he absolutely adored called The Alchemist, by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho. This friend of mine is one of life's seekers of light and treasure, and as such he is a deeply spiritual person – much like Paulo Coelho himself, as is obvious when you read his book. I'm different. I believe you...

Music Review: Band of the Week - Crosby Loggins

A.L. Harper — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 12:22:12 EDT

Let's be kind and not mention Lisa-Marie Presley...
If your father was a Grammy-winning musician who had numerous top ten hits, there would undoubtedly be a lot of pressure to produce similar results – if you chose to follow the same career path. Let's face it, so few of those who follow in their famous parents footsteps achieve legitimate success in their own right. I can give you a...

Interview: Band of the Week - Crosby Loggins

A.L. Harper — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:45:33 EDT

He may have begun life as the privileged son of an internationally acclaimed rock star, but Crosby is no spoiled wannabe.
Crosby Loggins is many things, amongst them he is the eldest child of the Grammy award-winning musician Kenny Loggins and winner of MTV's reality show Rock the Cradle, but most importantly he is a talented singer-songwriter and musician. He may have begun life as the privileged son of an internationally acclaimed rock star, but Crosby is no...

Songs That Touch My Soul, Ten

A.L. Harper — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 12:20:13 EDT

This track makes me crave one of those bodice ripping, pushed-up-against-the-wall, scratching-your-back, screaming...
We all have them, songs that seem to touch a secret place in your soul – sometimes secret even from you. They can grow and occasionally fester like an open wound, or they can fill you up, inspire you and occasionally even heal you. Sometimes they don't even reflect your musical tastes. They can be shameful secrets that you keep from...

Music Review: Band of the Week - Jay Nash

A.L. Harper — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:40:49 EDT

Down-to-earth, playful, witty, and occasionally profound, grounded but sentimental, sensual but intelligent, romantic but only in passing. A superb album.
Jay Nash makes music that is warm, soulful, energetic, intelligent, just a little bit country, just a little bit rock. It may not be the kind of music that pop 40 aficionados want to hear on the radio; but it is most certainly the kind of music anyone of sense and substance wants to hear wafting from the speakers of their convertible, while...

Interview: Band of the Week - Jay Nash

A.L. Harper — Mon, 9 Jun 2008 20:11:56 EDT

With hints of alt-country nostalgia, and swimming in acoustic melodies...
Jay Nash makes the kind of music that defies categorisation, but for the sake of this article let's call it alt-acoustic-folk-piano-rock. Nash makes the kind of music that is fit for any occasion, warm, soulful, energetic, adult, intelligent, just a little bit country, just a little bit rock. It may not be the kind of music that pop 40...

Interview: Band of the Week - Rachael Sage

A.L. Harper — Mon, 26 May 2008 14:36:10 EDT

Intelligent, witty, and upbeat, Sage managed to be engaging and whimsical while always maintaining a professional demeanour.
The best word to describe Rachael Sage's sound is theatrical, and her newest album Chandelier is truly theatre for your ears. Lyrically each song is an act from the stage play of Sage's life; musically each is a mini musical in scope, breadth and drama. As a former performer with the New York City Ballet, Sage's flare for the dramatic...

Songs That Touch My Soul, Nine

A.L. Harper — Thu, 15 May 2008 08:58:00 EDT

With summer on its way, this one is full of summery pop craziness.
We all have them, songs that seem to touch a secret place in your soul – sometimes secret even from you. They can grow and occasionally fester like an open wound, or they can fill you up, inspire you, and occasionally even heal you. Sometimes they don't even reflect your musical tastes. They can be shameful secrets that you keep from...

Book Review: Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith

A.L. Harper — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:52:06 EDT

Every word seems perfectly placed, meticulously considered for it's brevity and weight, and yet you never feel overawed or confounded.
Imagine living in a place where even suggesting there has been a crime is a crime. A crime against the state punishable by, at best, being sent away for a life of hard labour in a deserted frozen wilderness, and at worst, execution without a fair trial. Where your neighbours can turn on you and name you as a traitor and the police can search your...