For You... [Single][Enhanced]

Karmine Alers

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 1, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 10
• Format: Single, Enhanced
• Label: Airgo Music
• ASIN: B000CAKPTE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #737,819 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Review

1340.com review Karmine Alers debut solo album has been a longtime coming. She made her major label debut as one-third of the A&M Records act 3rd Party but after only one album Karmine found herself looking for what was next. Eventually Karmine landed herself in a traveling production of the mega-hit Rent, which eventually led to an understudy role on the Broadway production, which in turn gave way to her gaining notoriety landing the role of Mimi. If you think Broadway is big enough to contain Ms. Alers then you'd be wrong because For You... proves this girl from Spanish Harlem is a pop queen in the making. For You is an album that will certainly appeal to a wide variety of listeners. The centerpiece of the album is unquestionably Alers confident voice but the musical backdrops exhibits influences from Latin Pop to Rock to Adult Contemporary and back again. The opening track, It Matters to Me is the album's first single and rightfully so in my opinion. Musically this is one of the strongest tracks falling somewhere in between the big balladry of Faith Hill and the no nonsense pop of younger artists like Rose Falcon and FeFe Dobson. Out Tonight and Other Plans takes a slightly edgier approach, offering a more driven rock sounding Alers, while at the same time keeping the pop appeal that suits her voice so well. I Missed You and I Survived You offer big ballads that fans of Faith Hill and Celine Dion will certainly enjoy. These two songs are easily the most Broadway sounding songs and, while technically impressive, they give off a more impersonal feel than the rest of the album. The album also includes a dance remix of Out Tonight as a bonus. I normally get annoyed with this kind of thing but the remix is actually better than the original. It's not terribly different, but it's different enough that it brings a smile to your face. The ZZ Top-esque guitar licks in the original are replaced on the remix by some nice electronic work and, given the feel of the rest of the album; it's a bit more believable. Karmine Alers makes a strong impression on her debut album. She shows some definite skill (as if that was in question considering she's one of the stars of Rent!) on this album. Her powerful voice certainly saves a couple of the mediocre tracks but overall this is a very well put together album that has the potential to cross multiple genres. Key Tracks: It Matters to Me Reviewed by: Mark Fisher --1340.com

Product Description

This pop rock album has now sold over 1000 CD s! After being part of the final cast of Broadway s hit show RENT, Karmine Alers focuses on this dynamic album of great songs. Karmine Alers was born and raised in Spanish Harlem. She has been singing since the age of 13, which later led her to study voice at the high school of music and art. At 17 she joined a 3 girl vocal group which took her on the road performing all over the states. She joined other bands while attending college. Taking courses in acting and dance. Karmine went on to doing children shows and industrials. As well as landing a few spots in some independent shorts. Karmine s singing career would pull her again into a new 3 girl vocal group. This time landing her a recording deal with A&M records. The band 3RD party recorded an album, filmed their video and traveled nationwide. The band also performed on TV shows such as Regis and Kathy Lee, Rupaul, Jenny Jones and The Today Show. Karmine was then called to be in the Broadway former hit show RENT. After touring with the National Benny Company of RENT she then was hired on Broadway as an understudy. In January 2002 she was offered the leading role of Mimi , which she played for 3 years. Karmine has been focusing on promoting her debut solo album For You and continuing to expand her stage, film and TV credits. Please visit Airgomusic.com for Music News and more about her and other great artist.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars She matters to us..., September 8, 2009

By	K.T. May "Kailyn" (New York) - See all my reviews

If you are a fan of the Broadway play, "Rent", and you have seen the play anytime between 2004-2006, you may know of Karmine Alers.

Alers hails from Spanish Harlem and was a member of the band 3rd Party, who recorded their album Alive right here on Long Island in 1997. After the band called it quits, she and bandmate Maria Christenson went their separate ways. Christenson went on to release a solo album and Alers auditioned for the role of "Mimi" in "Rent", following in the footsteps of her older sister, Yassmin Alers.

In 2005, after quite a few stints on the Nederlander stage, Karmine released her solo CD, "For You", which was produced by Jimmy Greco, her manager and future husband and has since starred in some lesser known projects like "Good Morning Baby", a short film offered for free on iTunes a couple of years ago which starred Piper Perabo, ("Coyote Ugly"), in the main role and Alers as Daphne, her friend. Her most recent film was "Whirlwind" in which she played "Fiona".

Below is a brief description of the tracks on this CD, along with a numerical rating. You can learn more about her and other artists on Airgomusic.com. If you send her an e-mail, she will even be sweet enough to answer you!

Track 1: It Matters to Me--(8)--the only song released off of the album, with a music video featuring fellow Rent alum, the sexy Cary Shields, Alers here is saying how she sees the hope where he doesn't, she sees the happiness they used to experience and that they can one day experience once again. She's trying to convince him not to give up on their relationship, her love, and life in general.

Track 2: Burn--(7)--a ballad about love gone wrong, Alers sings with gusto and can truly convince us of the pain she has endured before.

Track 3: Other Plans--(7)--a catchy tune with a good beat wherein the girl has been burned before and the man will not give up on her. She thinks love's a disease, he wears his heart on his sleeve. He's in love but she has other plans.

Track 4: I Missed You--(6)--a ballad about her less-than-perfect father, Alers pours her heart and soul into the lyrics of this song while belting out those notes with such credence, you can understand why she got the part in "Rent".

Track 5: Out Tonight--(8)--if you know "Rent", then you know this song. And if you never caught Karmine live, this will be a great substitute. She pours her incredible vocals over the wonderful lyrics of this song where Mimi tries to get Roger to give up his vices and come out with her tonight, to truly live life instead of letting it bring him down.

Track 6: Sister, Sister--(7)--a song for her sister, Yassmin, she's trying to give her sister some solid advice about a guy that she's dating that just isn't right for her. Alers reminds her of the advice she gave her when they were younger and insists that she not let the fire burn out or to let him fill her head full of doubts--be brave.

Track 7: I Survived You--(8)--a beautiful piano-laden song about hindsight being 20/20. She has vacated an awful relationship and instead of harping on what they did wrong, she's proud of herself that she is stronger now because of everything she learned. "When you wrote me off like I was doomed, I survived you."

Track 8: Out Tonight (Dance Remix)--(4)--this song is basically a remix of the version of "Out Tonight" that she has three tracks above. The album could've done without this track, but 8 tracks is a bit more solid than 7 so something had to be filler.

Overall album rating: 7