18 February, 2008

Spunk

Kirsten Price dropped an album last fall entitled Guts and Garbage. It sounds messy and unappetizing to say the least: grungy and masculine in the best circumstances and horrifyingly dirty in the worst. Fortunately, Kirsten Price exceeds the expectations she sets with her album title. Guts and Garbage is a spunky soul album with alternative leanings. It's not Amy Winehouse or Sharon Jones, its leanings are more contemporary, where KT Tunstall meets Christina Aguilera in a dive bar and they both connect over Betty Davis.

Starting with "Magic Tree", Miss Price whispers over some vampy rhythms and then belts the chorus to a funk guitar. "All Right" takes a smooth and soothing view to life, as Kirsten sings that everything is all right, and "Fall" follows with pop-rock accessibility that makes the song slightly disappointing. On "Fall" I was looking for more spunk and exploration, but I found a song that's just a little too cookie-cutter to get my adrenaline up. "Crazy Beautiful" is the song I wanted to hear all along. It's funky, but not bombastic, and the jazz horn simply complements Price's vocals instead of hiding them. "5 Days Old" takes a detour to '90s singer-songwriters, but then it gets bassy and redeems itself on the chorus. "Freedom" (video below) is a belted tune that isn't overwhelmed by vocal ability, and "Bring Me Back" applies sweet similes to love. "Let Me Go", "Red Hot", and "Possibilities" finish off the album with aplomb. They stick to the same old soul/R&B formula, but there doesn't seem to be a sound better suited for Kirsten's voice.

With her current headquarters in Brooklyn, this soulful young singer can be heard throughout the Northeast with frequent trips South. It's a wonder that songs like "Magic Tree" and "Fall" aren't on popular radio, but it makes me very happy to know that Price's songs are receiving some airplay on alternative stations. Keep your ears open for Price, as soul music makes a comeback in both contemporary and anachronistic forms.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love KP! Her music is amazing and she's not something mainstream that I've come across before. She's truely an original.

Anonymous said...

I believe music is what your mood entends to be. We all have billions of types of music and Kirsten Price is one of the few who enjoys being creative. Who wants to keep making the same sounding kind of music? It does get old. For example Kid Rock, he's went threw country, classic rock, alt. rock and some pop. Kirsten Price is just like any other artist who enjoys making music, but just like any other artist music can get boring, thats a huge reason why people turn off radio, i-pod,cd player anything. Its because people get bored, all Kirsten Price is doing is having fun...isn't that what music is about anyway? Having fun,and showing emotion. I really like hearing different, and Kirsten Price is just one of my new favorite artist because shes different and i'll never know what to expect. =]


Em
<3

Anonymous said...

Kirsten Price's new album is due this summer?, well if I could spin the earth a little bit faster, i'd bring summer in tomorrow......tim[flight risk]

Anonymous said...

I have the pleasure of owning a copy of Guts & Garbage and I must say this album is killer from beginning to end. Kirsten Price has a refreshing sound unlike anything out there today. And her live show is exceptional. She has this incredible stage presence that leaves you wanting more. Get a copy and check out a live show!

Anonymous said...

Kristen Price is one of the best singers that i have come across-her sound and song choices are great!! I recommend everyone to listen to her music-you won't be dissappointed!!
Lori M.

Anonymous said...

Hey Music Snob...in my opinion, your grammatical structure for this review is entirely contradictory & confusing to the reader. To cite an example when you wrote: "and "Fall" follows with pop-rock accessibility that makes the song slightly disappointing. On "Fall" I was looking for more spunk and exploration, but I found a song that's just a little too cookie-cutter to get my adrenaline up."

Only to write:

"It's a wonder that songs like "Magic Tree" and "Fall" aren't on popular radio"....

hummmm, your review suggests that "Fall" is too cookie-cutter (whatever that means lol) for you, BUT...you wonder why it's not on popular radio...

*scratches head*

Kirsten Price is not your typical bubble gum, spit out, factory made artist of the times that ANYONE can be with lots of help from synthesizers and whatever else helps the Ashlee Simpson's out there...

If you are interested in the REAL DEAL, an entirely GIFTED artist, who is not only multi-faceted and does it ALL...one who blows you away on stage...be sure to pick up a "Guts and Garbage" cd, download off iTunes etc...an authentic, original artist in her genre whose songs reverberate through your bones...and makes you want to move to the groove...

Anonymous said...

Hi! I have been told that KP is the one singing the new version of Feeling Groovy in the new Clinique 3 steps commercial. Can someone please confirm this info?
If so, where can I get a copy of this song/Album?

Thanks.

Music Snob said...

It's absolutely amazing to have all this feedback!

For those of you who feel that my review is ambiguous or poorly written, I just want to say that I love Kirsten Price. She's absolutely a talent. I do feel that some of her songs are better than others, and what I was trying to drive home about the song "Fall", is that it is very similar to some music that is very popular at this time. I personally felt that it did not live up to the creativity expressed on the rest of her album, but - at the same time - it could very well be the first song to get serious radio-play.

The great thing about music is that different people take away different things, and we can ALL enjoy for different reasons.

To answer the question about "The 59th Street Bridge Song" cover used in the Clinique commercial: I did a little research and couldn't find any definitive connection to Kirsten Price. Listening to the song, it does sound like her voice, and I would guess that if the cover is new (which it sounds like it is), then a version will be available to buy sometime in the near future. You might even luck out and find the track on KP's next album.

Much love to all of my readers!

PEACE

Anonymous said...

Yes people, it IS me.. Kirsten Price on the 59th Street Bridge Song. We didn't do the whole song, just enough of it to sell some Clinique swag! Wish we had cut the whole thing..

So, I'm Just letting you all know that I have finally given in and started my own blog "Shits & Giggles"

http://kirstenprice.blogspot.com/

Come talk to me :)