Customer Reviews

Malibu Storm

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Lyrics that are absolutely country, harmonies that rival the top groups in Nashville and a style that is all their own. These are the trademarks of Malibu Storm and their debut album from Rounder Records. I highly reccomend it!

Their given name probably conjures up fun in the sun, and surf-rock music a la the Ventures and the Beach Boys. Their sound, however, is a modern take on bluegrass. So it goes with the debut album of sisters Dana Burke and Lauren Mills and their brother Michael Alden--collectively known as Malibu Storm.

With Dana on vocals and banjo, Lauren on fiddle and vocals, and Michael on bass and vocals, but utilizing many of the Usual Suspects (Bryan Sutton; Adam Steffey; Rob Ickes) of Nashville's bluegrass session musicians community, Malibu Storm have made a very good start for themselves here. In general, most of the songs here, including the Rebekka Bramlett-Beth Nielsen Chapman composition "Old Hickory Lake", are well-suited for their newgrass (or is it "surfgrass") approach. Others, like their down-home cover of Lee Dorsey's 1966 R&B classic "Working In A Coal Mine", get an unusual treatment with the traditional bluegrass instruments. Obviously, the one track on this album that is liable to raise some ire with many (it already has here, at least once) is their cover of Def Leppard's 1983 arena-rock smash "Photograph." Cries of "Heresy!" are likely to be heard here more and more often from now on--to think that this song could receive a bluegrass approach! Personally, though, even if this version gets steeped in controversy, I don't think the trio have done any worse by covering this Def Leppard song than Dolly Parton did by "bluegrassing" up Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven."

Overall, this is a fairly good album--probably not totally perfect (and of course there's the matter of the Def Leppard cover), but compared to much of the dreck Nashville has force-fed its audience in recent years, you can do far, far worse than Malibu Storm.

I love the harmonies and these folks can play! This is a great record; light, breezy and anchored with strong musicianship. Sometimes you just want to sit back, relax, sing along & tap your toe. What a relief to know that there's more than just bubblegum pop coming from the next generation!

If you're looking for a good bluegrass album, look no further than this one. Malibu Storm is Dana Burke, Lauren Mills and Michael Alden. Dana sings lead on most of the songs, except one that Michael sings lead on (otherwise him and Lauren sing harmony). One thing distinct about this group is their original harmonies, which are rich and beautiful. They all play instruments too. They manage to do some interesting cover songs, of Janis Ian's "Some People's Lives" (also done by Bette Midler back in the 80s), Def Leppard's "Photograph" and Allen Toussaint's "Working in A Coal Mine". Other favorites include "The Bird Song", "Old Hickory Lake", "Light In Your Eyes" and "I'd Be With You". A great album, I predict these guys will do well. Check it out!

this is a great album for anyone who doesn't normally listen to bluegrass. it feels contemporary and hip, but remains true to its roots. Malibu Storm are probably going to be blow up on the nashville scene soon. these three siblings are really talented and definitely deserve a good listen!

I loved this album! Malibu Storm has actually been around for awhile, but this is their first real country album... And it's great! They're originally a bluegrass group, so if you like bluegrass mixed with new country then you have just discovered the perfect album! Hitcooper.com is featuring them on their website, with a great interview and review... and as usual that's a sure sign they're worth checking out!

Malibu Storm is a tightly formed musical force, great harmonies, and skilled instrument playing make this a must have for bluegrass beginers, or Nasville vets. Very easy on the ears, and group is easy on the eyes.

Remember the superb album album that these girls released several years ago as "The Schankman Twins"?
I can't believe that this is the same twins who have totally forsaken their roots and produced one of the worst albums I have every heard. It has no identity and the girls have squandered a wonderful opportunity to follow in the steps of Alison Krauss etc.
It does seem to suggest that Malibu Storm have tried to rid themselves of the "country" connection and they have certainly succeeded. What Rob Ickes and Bryan Sutton are doing on this CD defeats me.

Malibu Storm cannot be blamed for the way they sound. The ones to blame are a part of the "Nashville System" that doesn't remember real country music. Unfortunately, Nashville's belief of changing with the times to draw a larger demographic audience has turned country music into a watered-down mess trying to fit in with the pop and rock giants that dominate the airwaves. I must admit I was interested when country music started changing to "fit in," but almost as quickly realized the change might not be a good idea. Instead of keeping originality, country has joined the masses. What a shame. How could anyone even consider covering Def Leppard's "Photograph?" Malibu Storm's reproduction of it is dreadful and does not even remotely do justice to the phenominal performance given by the British rock icons. "Photograph" belongs to Def Leppard.