Monkey music round up

I'm sure somewhere in this guy's contract there is a provision that says that at live gigs they introduce him this way: "And now please put your hands together for the song stylings of David Yazbek." And then he and his band appear after a puff of smoke and they are all wearing berets and cool sunglasses.

The "song stylings" of Mr. Yazbek and his band consist of funky piano driven jazz influenced pop songs. I liked most them, especially "Monkey Baby Hanging On A Chicken Wire." The only problem I had with this CD was that it was about two or three songs too long. By the end of the CD you're sick of listening to these guys and you just wish they'd go away. Maybe if Yazbek had cut the length of a few of the songs it might have helped as well. Don't get me wrong, I liked this CD, I just thought it was too long.

I'll admit I had slight feeling of dread as I put this CD in, I thought this gal might be one of those whiny female singer song writers like the one I listened to and hated so much last week. But from the second she played her first note of music and the second I heard her voice I was hooked. And not just hooked mind you, I was blown away.

She's got a really great pop rock sound that has a twinge of country in it every now and again. The music more than compliments her angelic sounding voice. I loved the country influenced song called "Something To Me," the title track, the songs "Broken" and "Tell Me Something True," and the last cut on the CD "Mille Tendresses," which Ms. Merritt sings in French. I admit it, I'm a sucker for a beautiful blonde who sings anything in French.

Honestly, I can't recommend this gal enough. I love her sound, her songs, and her look. You can check her out on MySpace, You Tube, and on her own website.