Customer Reviews

Test Pattern (CD & DVD)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Most listeners of Sonia Dada have become die-hard fans thanks to their history of deep lyrics, catchy tunes, and soulful harmonies. However, many people were dissapointed with their last effort, "Barefootsoul", which proved to be mellower and slower than their previous releases (this does not mean there are no great songs on Barefootsoul). With their new release, Test Pattern, Sonia Dada has returned to the sounds and styles that drew fans originally.
Fans of Sonia Dada have followed personnel changes over the years, most notably the change from Sam Hogan to Shawn Christopher in the vocal stable. For this new release, Sam is back in addition to Shawn, and of course the soaring leads of MIcahel Scott and the deep bass resonance of Paris Delane are always present. The mix of this cd is outstanding, with all four voices shining. The instrumental backrounds remind me of Phil Spector's famous "wall of sound" approach. The more you listen and the deeper you go, the more you find hidden in the layers of music.
I am not big on going through a song by song review, but I will note that a couple of my personal favorite tracks are Old Bones (the lyrics create an interesting visual of what my have happened in your house before you lived there), Ragdoll (Shawn makes you feel warm all over), Dark Visions, and the acoustic closing track Sylvia.
Throw this one on your player and give it a couple of listens. You will find you feet tapping and songs playing over in your head. Once you're hooked, go see them live. You'll never go back.....

I am a newer Sonia Dada fan (<3years). The music is top notch. It hosts thier normal talents (vocal and instruments). The reason I am writing this review is to showcase the DVD.

The center piece of the DVD is a 30 minute video. The video has most of the songs from the CD. In and of itself, the video is artistic and of the quality you would expect from Sonia Dada. The highlight for me is; the music that accompanies the video has been remastered to 5.1 audio; (remastered NOT converted).

The 5.1 remastered tracks makes this 30 minute segement the most impressive audio in a long time.

If you have a surround system you should purchase this DVD/CD. It may cause you to upgrade your system to live up to the quality of this DVD. If you already have a surround system that can handle more then the normal movie sound track, then you should buy this and invite all of your fiends over to make them jelousy (and share this experience).

Enjoy.

Put this album on and forget everything playing on the radio. Sonia Dada put their stamp on this one! From Moons of Jupiter to Silvia, you will hear a story and feel the emotions. You won't be able to help at least nodding your head! This album is a must-have. I guarantee it will take at least a week to finally set it aside. Then again, maybe not. DaShelle/Chitown

I've been listening to this album almost non-stop since I got it. I was privileged to hear Sonia Dada do many of these songs at a festival in Chicago a few weeks ago, before this album was even available. I wasn't sure how the recorded sound would stack up next to the amazing live show they performed, but the production of this record is so good, you hear more every time you listen to it. I highly recommend this!

I'm a fan of Sonia Dada and loved the Test Pattern cd and the dvd was GREAT!

Being blown away by a first time music video, TEST PATTERN, is in that class.

The performance is a SONIA DADA experience.

Sound, just be prepared. Everything is beyond the norm. It will push any system. I have a pretty good system, and it pushes it. I mean it pushes IT! It will make you want and want and want to listen over and over..............again.

What more can you say?

G

I discovered Sonia Dada by accident.... and that was a good thing... the DVD is excellent and the album as a whole just blows you away. 'Moons of Jupiter' is obviously the flagship of the album, but that doesn't mean that the other songs are any less.... 'Saturday' and 'Dark Visions' are ecellent tracks as well. 'Diggin On A Road' falls back to the roots of Sonia Dadas Chicago Blues sound, but the other songs are just as good. I am a serious Sonia Dada fan now, and have just bought all their earlier albums as well.

I would recommend checking out www.soniadada.com to check out extras sounds and visions by the band.

I found this band from a great compilation put together by an independent radio station in Bloomington, IN: www.wttsfm.com on their annual Collector's Edition CD. Old Bones is a great song. Great rhythms, harmonies, and cool lyrics. Got to love the free download!! I'll be buying this CD as a result. You can always count on WTTS to come up with new progressive sounds, and this is a keeper!!