INDIE MUSIC DIGEST - Independent Music Reviews

EP REVIEW: Jackie Arredondo - "Someone Like You"

"powerful"

"Arredondo is infectious"

- INDIE MUSIC DIGEST:-

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Artist: Jackie Arredondo
Album: Someone Like You
Label: Independent Artist
Website: www.jackiearredondo.com
Genre: Country, Rock, R&B
Technical Grade: 10/10
Production/Musicianship Grade: 10/10
Commercial Value: 10/10
Overall Talent Level: 9/10
Songwriting Skills: 10/10
Performance Skill: 8/10
Best Songs: Insane, Another Monday Afternoon
Weakness: To much vocal intensity. excessive vibrato.

EP REVIEW:

After years of helping hundreds of singers as a vocal coach, singer songwriter Jackie Arredondo recently took matters into her own hands & launched own musical career with the release of her highly anticipated five song EP entitled Someone Like You.

The EP kicks things off with the title track “Someone Like You” a passionate intro piece that serves up impressive intro, & a well crafted musical build eventually lending itself into a grand slam chorus with a powerful vocal delivery from Arredond. Track 2 “Put some Man on that” shifts gears a bit upbeat country vibe, against driving rock rhythms & hooky guitar riffs making for a catchy country-rock groove. Just when you think you got this CD figured out along comes Track 3: “With my Eyes Closed” This piece shows us even more musical diversity with it’s solid low end groove against a melodic pop rock mosaic. This piece is infectious & strikes an impressive balance between pop, rock, country & A touch of soul. As the EP slowly unfolds I can hear many musical textures reminiscent of classic vocal acts as classic Melissa Etheredge, Bonnie Rait, & even The Dixie Chicks. The music itself combines classic elements of bluesy-rock with an aftertaste of R&B, country & even soul. The musicianship of everyone involved is clearly above the bar. I especially like all the low end rock grooves presented on each of the songs. You will also notice lush layers musical instrumentation layered everywhere from well placed keyboard accents, electronic drum elements & solid low end beats, impressive slide & solo guitar licks & even fiddles. The EP has some truly impressive moments on it showcasing impressive songwriting, world class instrumentation via a powerful & emotional delivery up front from Arredondo. Zeroing in now on Arredondo voice it goes down smooth but has a classic raspy jagged edge, reminiscent of such singers Wynona Judd, Melissa Etheredge &Taylor Dane. & even a dash of Janis Joplin. She makes the vital (singer to listener) emotional connection with her vocals each & every time. By track 3 the EP hits solid stride with bluesy “Another Monday Afternoon.” & the grooving final piece “Insane” this EP has something for just about everyone. It’s definitely a top notch musical production from start to finish with world class songwriting, amazing vocal presence from Arredond & superb musicianship to boot.

It’s had to find any real noticeable weaknesses with this EP. But if could say anything to Arredond right now - it would be step back from the mic a bit on some of the slower parts, find that emotional pocket & ride down the intensity a bit. I really like the voice, the passion & the raw intensity from Arredond, but at time she comes on way to strong. It’s fair to say Arredond is guilty of overdosing the vibrato a bit as well. I don’t like the way Track 2 “Put some Man on that” fades out – sounds like a classic forced exit, & just sounds extremely amateurish to me.

From start to finish it's hard to find any weaknesses on “Someone Like You.” It's an impressive EP teaser that's easy to groove to, highly original, uplifting, & extremely entertaining. Note for note, song for song there isn’t really a weak piece on this entire 5 song EP. All pieces are short & sweet musical experiences, each one possessing its own signature groove, & musical personality to call its own. The writing & playing abilities of this band are rock solid, & the melodies & harmonies are well crafted, the catalogue is highly diversified. But last but not least the vocal presence of Arredond just makes the whole thing work really well. She is infectious & knows how to fill the musical space with her voice. Like the aforementioned I really enjoyed some of the low end blues/rock grooves presented on the CD. I look forward to hearing the full length CD later hopefully soon. us Rhodes

Cyrus Rhodes