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| Contacting me | |
| Oct 16, 2008: After 6 years, I finally remembered the e-mail address and password to log into this site.
In case you haven't figured it out, due to the lack of postings and reviews, I am no longer writing for Phillymusic.com. This is mainly because at first I could not devote the time needed for this type of work due to job committments, but now it's for an even bigger reason. I don't live in the area anymore.
My time with Phillymusic.com has been exciting and very educational to say the least. I've met some terrific bands and great people. The local Philadelphia music scene has come a long way since I first got involved and I'm so glad that I was able to be a part of it for some time.
So in the meantime, thank you all for being a part of Phillymusic and I wish you all good times and good tunes!
Keep Rockin'!
-Amy
| |
| R.I.P. Dave Blood, Bassist of The Dead Milkmen | |
| Mar 11, 2004: Dave Blood, bassist for defunct Philadelphia rock act the Dead Milkmen, committed suicide Wednesday, according to a post by his sister on the band's official message board (http://deadmilkmen.com). He will be missed by all of Philadelphia, and PhillyMusic.com sends our condolences to his family and many friends.
"This morning Dave Blood is no longer with us," wrote Blood's sister, Kathy. "David is my brother. Since the breakup of the band David has never really found his niche in life. My brother was a smart, clever and talented person. Inner peace has seemed to elude him for the last many years. Sometime last night David chose to end his life. He left a note that I don't know all of what it said, he was not elaborate -- but he said he just could not stand to go on any longer." | |
| NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS | |
| Feb 27, 2002: Hey guys. I just wanted to let you know there's a new address in which to contact me. My another.com e-mail has since been ended as another.com has decided to charge for their e-mail accts.....and I don't know about you, but I prefer free e-mail, so you can now reach me at
rockinkiwi@yahoo.com I just figured I should let you all know.Keep rockin! -Amy | |
| News & Reviews | |
| Review by Amy (Jul 26, 2002) Milton and the Devils Party - My personal Happy Pill "So farewell Hope, and with Hope farewell Fear, farewell Remorse: all Good to me is lost; Evil be thou my Good." “I’m dining on cows I heard were out of their mind, ‘cause tonight England is mine” Now I know what you’re thinking, and no the first quote isn’t part of your favorite death metal song, ok? It’s a quote from John Milton’s epic poem, Paradise Lost , (Book IV Lines 107-9 if you want to get specific). Milton (1608-1674) was considered to be one of the greatest epic poets of his time, and was admired by many. One of Milton’s admirers, William Blake (1757-1827) read this epic poem, and thereafter called Milton, “a true Poet and of the Devil's party without knowing it.” This then brings us to my second quote, written by the appropriately named “Milton and the Devils Party”. The only difference between this group and the man they are named after, is that this group doesn’t mention things like human sacrifices, fire, and all that good, dark, evil stuff that we hold nostalgically in our minds as our teenage years. (Otherwise known as the time when many of us found our true callings as musicians.) However, this group’s lyrics are just as eloquently written and cleverly constructed that Milton himself would be proud. Milton and the Devils Party is comprised of Daniel Robinson (Bass/Vocals), Mark Graybill (Guitar), Pat Manley (Guitar and part-time clog dancer), and Martin Evans (Drums). Each of these gentlemen comes from very diverse backgrounds geographically and/or musically, which I think, can be a very helpful aspect of any group. Their power pop sound combined with Elvis Costello-like vocals and witty, real lyrics have helped to make this group very easily to listen to. In their most recent release, Best World Going, Milton’s songs cover a range of topics and emotions. The cynical but sadly true, “Happy Pill” discusses everyone’s remedy for day-to-day life, herbal, medicinal, or whatever. I actually think that this song is the most single-worthy on this album, and certainly a staple in my favorite songs of the year. “Happy Pill” has top-notch vocals and an upbeat sound. The arrangement is reminiscent of “Don’t Let’s Start” by They Might Be Giants, who also hold a place near and dear to my heart, I don’t care how weird they are. The Clockwork Orange references of “Ugly American” really caught my eye, and the beat from “Heathen Eden” gives an overall 80’s retro punk feel. Daniel, author of most of the songs on this album is a true poet, and his ability to express his feelings and thoughts is one of the strongest assets of the group. In terms of the music and overall performance of the group, they’re really tight, and even more so with their new drummer, Martin Evans. (You’ll notice Tommy Traddles is on drums for the album.) I think it’s wonderfully arranged, and I particularly enjoy Mark’s guitar on “Sweat So Sweet”. I have yet to see them live, but I am truly looking forward to seeing them soon. They have a great sound, and they seem like they would have a great time at a venue. Final note: Run to your local music store and get Best World Going . If you like a good power-pop tune, good lyrics, good musicianship, and a songs about breasts (yes, I said breasts), you’ll like this album, and you’ll like Milton and the Devils Party. For more information, check out their site, miltonmusic.tripod.com for upcoming gigs, photos, and fun stuff. Hey, if Gary Coleman and David Hasselhoff like them, shouldn’t you? | Review by Amy (Jul 26, 2002) Unicorns and Butterflies: Gina has met her "destino" I sat there on the train, going home from a long day of meeting deadlines and demands, answering phones, typing letters and compiling reports, staring at a gold-colored folder, wondering how to begin this review o’mine. It hit me, as I overheard a guy complaining about his current boss (and, coincidentally, an old one of mine), no matter how chaotic and complex life is, at least we have the songs of Gina Scipione - Simple, direct, and very monotonousness. Gina, a Bucks County native and pianist is not a stranger to the Philly Music scene by any means. She’s appeared at The Fire, The Tin Angel, and The Point just to name a few. With involvement in the Philadelphia AIDS Walk as an entertainment coordinator, and her work for various charity organizations and music festivals have certainly helped to get her name and face known. She has studied music at the University of Salzburg and while spending time overseas, became involved with an Austrian group called Cash and Powder. After returning to the states she performed with the well-known swing group, the Playboys, as a vocalist. Gina has now officially taken to the road of a solo career with her debut album destino . I was particularly impressed by Gina’s resume of work and education in music, having been instructed by voice teachers from Juilliard. Unfortunately, that’s as far as my good impressions went. To summarize, destino tells the story of a struggling, insecure, naïve girl who has her “breaking out” time to become the struggling, insecure, naïve woman that is shown in all 6 tracks on this album. I would have assumed that destino would be, in a word, diverse, in terms of the style of songs. Sadly, the lack of variety did not have me hooked. (Though the final track on the album, “Take Me to Freedom”, does dabble in 6/8 time.) Other than that, each song has that “7th Heaven theme song” motif that gives Gina’s songs a wholesome quality… not that there’s anything wrong with that. I enjoyed her piano playing on destino , I enjoyed the arrangement of the rest of the group, but I cannot get past the album as a whole. I think what bothers me most is the lyrics. The lack of mood changes from one song to another and the simplistic value of her writing gives destino almost a high school musical tone. Even the saddest verses still have a slightly upbeat, happy aura. It saddens me to see that a woman with such a great talent writes like a naïve 14-year-old who dreams only of unicorns and butterflies. It was as if she dove into her teenage diary, literally took her entries about her first big crush, and just put them to music. For instance, the lyrics of the first track, “My Request”, combined with the arrangement of the piano, still make me think that she needs to branch out express herself in a less simplistic way. “Cause what I want, what I need, is to know that you accept all the parts of me: good, bad, beautiful, and ugly. If I tell you my heart’s desires, would you tell me your heart’s desires too? Help me make mine, and I’ll help make yours come true.” I can see how any person would want this kind of idealistic way of thinking in a relationship, but when these works are put to music, it doesn’t have the same effect. Gina says that each song on destino is about a personal experience of hers. Now, I can think of some well-known female songwriters who do the same: Melissa Ethridge, Alanis Morissette for example. They cover the same topics that Gina has covered in her album: submission and emotional slavery in reltaionships, wanting, needing, and understanding the person you love, etc. However, Melissa and Alanis have been able to cover these emotions in a more poetic and emotionally impacting way for the listener. I think I would have enjoyed this album more if Gina’s feelings weren’t out there for you in black-and-white, in the simplest way. Overall, I’m disappointed with destino . Honestly, I would be a much bigger fan if the lyrics weren’t as shallow as they appear to be. I certainly hope that Gina’s future endeavors will be a bit more deep and enigmatic. Let us hope that this album is not an introduction to Gina’s live performances for the first-time listener either. I would love to be proved wrong in this case, because I think her voice and her musicianship is wonderful. But her lyrics and the style in which she writes diminishes the quality of this album. For more information, you can access Gina Scipione's site at www.ginascipione.com . You can also purchase destino at www.cdbaby.com. |
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