Customer Reviews

Waves & The Both of Us

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Charlotte Sometimes' debut CD, "Wave & the Both of Us", is kind of hard to define in style--edgy, funky, singer/songwriter meets rockergrrl meets pop diva--but it's easy to define in quality--amazing, topknotch, kick@$$. Although only 20, Charlotte (not her true first name--she's not telling) has been performing for years and her experience shows. Her lyrics are mature, dark and edgy but with a strength and spunkiness that suggest she's no navelgazer but a fighter. Far from being bitter or cynical, however, the end result is positive and engaging; kind of "life can really suck but, screw it, lets go have some fun." As I said earlier, her style is eclectic--some pop, some alt rock--but her voice, energy and musical prowess make it all sound great. Her sound is a bit of Fiona Apple, Shirley Manson (Garbage), and Gwen Stefani, a pinch of Regina Spektor and Liz Phair, plus a touch of Natalie Walker, Alison Sudol (A Fine Frenzy) and Ingrid Michaelson, but its a voice that's all her own. I had the chance to see Charlotte perform in a small club in Virginia, and she was great live; polished, self-assured and strong. I also spoke to her after the show and found her friendly and genuine. I bought the CD the day it hit the stores and have been playing it constantly. You know how some albums take a few listens to get into them? This one grabbed me from track one and hasn't let me go yet. It's no exaggeration to say that this CD could be the best debut of the year and one of the top albums of 2008; all from a Jersey girl who took her stage name from a kid's book. Way to go, Charlotte (or whatever your real name is)...you surely have a great career ahead of you!

It is never a good time to be different, at least not in the music biz.
Fortune favors the familiar, hence the endles list of soundalikes and wannabes that populate the airwaves and pop charts.
Then along came Charlotte, where different is the difference.
Dark, romantic lyrics and well thought out, punchy, arrangements, make this album accessible on any number of levels. When one is going through a soul wrenching relationship break up, or simply popping down to the Acme for a litre of milk and some Advil. The music works, it is real, vibrant, polished and different. Long may this young talent spew her honey tinged venom. Charlotte, you rock, and wail and cry and generally bring a joyous new sound to a humdrum world. Stop reading and order the CD, you will never regret it.

I caught Charlotte one early morning on VH1 and was immediately interested. Her single How I Could Just Kill A Man just stuck in my head, and when I purchased her album no later, I realized a lot of her songs were just as addictive.

What exactly makes this new artist so appealing? Well her distinct voice and mature songwriting is awful refreshing compared to a lot that is being sold these days, and she has a unique touch to her songs that keeps each track sounding different but equally fun and lovely. There is truly nothing really to complain of, this is an overall wonderful album that just works, and Charlotte Sometimes I consider in the category of Best Pop Artists of 2008.

Though some tracks just stand out more. My favorite songs that really shine through on the album are Losing Sleep, How I Could Just Kill a Man, Ex Girlfriend Syndrome, AEIOU, In Your Apartment, and This Is Only for Now. But it's Build The Moon that grew to be the strongest track in my opinion, and the one I listen to most.

Definitely a highly- recommended album. 4/5

Happened to see an ad on radioio Chill for this CD and liked the preview songs to take a chance. The album turned out to be a great payoff. The songs will haunt you and stick in your head. Each song is unique and mesmerizing and doesn't fall into the sameness many musicians get trapped into. Definitely not a one-hit wonder. I look forward to more great songs from this Jersey girl.

I love this cd! I think every track shows a different side to her and they are all amazing! For this price, this is a steal! Try it!!

My Favorites:

1) Losing Sleep - Very catchy. I think it's a good choice for the first song on the cd.

2) How I Could Just Kill a Man - The first single, a very fun song. I like it.

3) Waves and The Both of Us - A nice love song, and I love it. :)

4) Sweet Valium High - I love this song. Kind of explicit, but very fun. haha.

5) Ex Girlfriend Syndrome - The most listened to song on the cd for me. I just think it's so fun and catchy.

6) Toy Soldier - Different, but I like it. Her vocals punch you in the face in the beginning of the song. haha

7) In Your Apartment - A slower and very sad, actually, song. I like it a lot though. When she belts the words "In Your Apartment" you can really feel it.


Buy it now! It's a very promising and amazing debut from a very talented girl!!! :)

There is not one song on the album that I don't love. Watch out... here comes Charlotte Sometimes!

Charlotte Sometimes gained success with the single "How I Could Just Kill A Man". Merely at the age of twenty she has proven to be both a singer and strong songwriter. Nailing the pop format song structure, and enabling almost therapeutic songs. "Waves & the Both of Us" has only recently come out (May 08).

The album is essentially a catchy pop ridden album, with a darker mixture to the finished product. One could find traces of indie rock as well. The vocals are rich and pleasant, the album production is great as well. The album overall is impressive, well written, and good enough that a sophomore release seems too far away.

A talented voice without the help of an over produced soundboard like so many new young female artist nowadays. Very happy that I caught her catchy song/video on VH1.

This CD had many great songs with lyrics that seemed like an old friend sharing stories.

Her singing style is youthfull with a playfullness to an adult ear.
Very few new female artist can achieve what Charlotte has.

First heard of Charlotte Sometims on Nocturnal State on VH1. How I Could Just Kill A Man had a fresh sound and a great voice. I went out and bought the cd and at first I was slightly disappointed. It was not until I was taking a road trip and the cd popped up in my disk player. I was only having listening and had no idea what cd I was listening to. After several songs I started wondering what I was listening to. I popped the cd out and it was like finding a hidden treasure it was Charlotte Sometimes. I put the cd back in and gave it a new listen.

The writing is well done and the explicit language warning seemed to be an overkill, there were maybe two songs that had a sexual hint to them, without really being graphic. Charotte Sometimes has a great voice but an even better talent at song writing. I really felt her songs had depth and passion that is currently missing in the new wave of female artists.
I dont feel that Charlotte warrents a folk label that some critics have given her. I would put her more in the new version of adult alternative with bands like Cold War Kids, Airborne Toxic, and the Nationals which are all new artists that really dont fit a specific category of music.

In the end a solid debut with strong lyrics and a great sound. Charlotte SOmetimes should not be confused with some of the more pop oriented female singers that have recently came out.

The songs on this debut alblum are very peppy and upbeat. They are also somewhat eccentric, with several unusual twist and turns in her musical phrasing. she reminds me somewhat of regenia spektor in this quality. Whatever, an enjoyable first effort.