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CD REVIEW: Adrian West - Chameleons & Butterflies

By: Adam Von Clausen

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Artist: Adrian West
CD: Chameleons & Butterflies

Label: Independent Artist

Website: www.adrianwest.com

Genre: Folk/Contemporary/Acoustic Rock

Sounds Like: Jimmy Buffet

Technical Grade: 9/10

Production/Musicianship Grade: 8/10
Commercial Value: 7/10
Overall Talent Level: 8/10
Songwriting Skills: 6/10
Performance Skill: 6/10
Best Songs Watery World, Billie Jean

Weakness Genera Identity Crisis, Spreads itself to thin

CD REVIEW:

Adrian West with his debut album entitled Chameleons and Butterflies. West has been active in this project since 1995. The band consists of three members, Adrian West (Vocals, Electric Violin, Acoustic Guitar) Andrew Gibson (Bass) Mike Stevens ( Drums, Hand Percussion) Album length is approximately 42 min in length, Website is very thorough, has song up for listening, and for purchase. This is Adrian's debut album with this being the first album with lyrics. Adrian has also been playing the violin since he was four years old.

This album starts off with an almost Spanish guitar melody, almost reminiscent of something that Jimmy Buffet has done. The album then continues to change pace and give the listener a very eclectic mix of Jazz, Acoustic Rock, Country, Bluegrass, Celtic, and West African styles. With so many influences and different sound textures, this is a album that will keep you listening all the way through, just to hear what Adrian is going to do next. The title track is a very uplifting song that is upbeat and makes you want to get up and move around with the song. This is an album full of song that reflect Adrian's passion and dedication to his musical craft. This album is mixed very well, clean crisp sound & amazing musicianship. These are seasoned professionals & deliver there music maturely. Best songs on this album for me were, Track 2 "Watery World", and Track 10 "Billie Jean". I believe that these songs express the overall talent and marketability.

Musically I can't find any flaws with recording, mastering, or overall production. This is a full length album, and was packaged in a cardboard sleeve, which scratches the CD over a short period of time, and gives the album at first glance an almost demo CD feel.

Overall this is a well versed album, with plenty of changes & emotions that keep you wondering. If you like the aforementioned genres than this is an album for you. The album art is what you would expect from an album titled Chameleons And Butterflies, it is an artist drawing of a chameleon catching a Butterfly. Back cover is a picture of Adrian standing on the rocky bank during sunset. Text is easy to read and contrasts well off the album art.

Adam Von Clausen