Charlotte Sometimes - Charlotte Sometimes EP
Release Date: March 18, 2008
Record Label: Geffen Records
Charlotte Sometimes, a recently-inked addition to Geffen Records, released her self-titled debut EP this March, a three-song teaser from her upcoming full-length debut. Waves and the Both of Us. The full band notably features Spencer Peterson, formerly the drummer of Hidden In Plain View, behind the kit. Charlotte takes her name from the eponymous 1969 children's novel by Penelope Farmer.
The EP's first song, "How I Could Just Kill a Man," is in fact, not a cover of the 1991 Cypress Hill song. Charlotte's vocals come off remarkably similar to a less rangy Regina Spektor, with this song featuring a foot tapping chorus as she deftly maneuvers through an excellent introduction to a band you've likely never heard before. Of all three songs, this one seems to have the most replayability.
"Waves and the Both of Us," likely the title track from her upcoming full-length, shows another dimension to the songstress vocally. Her range and delivery wanders off the beaten path, which will likely split listeners—those who want to hear a straight pop record and those who want to see it end up a little more underground. "Sweet Valium High," the EP's shortest song at a brisk two minutes and forty-three seconds, brings a bit more sugar to the table, as Charlotte dances between a more brusque delivery and a silky smooth one toward the end, providing an interesting dynamic that won't quite satiate your appetite for the band.
With Charlotte Sometimes playing the entire Warped Tour this year, we're likely to hear plenty more from this band. Based on these three songs (and of course the name), this is Charlotte's band plain and simple. Don't expect lush instrumentals from this teaser EP, but if you'd like to hear from an up-and-coming singer before she breaks who doesn't deliver the same rehashed songs we'd hear on the radio, prepare to be smitten with Charlotte Sometimes' poise and charisma behind the mic, much like her more established contemporaries, Spektor and Leslie Feist.
Not really something I expected myself to like, but I ended up liking it anyway.
Good review Tony.
Thanks. I was skeptical when I saw a female artist signed to a major label, but I was pleasantly surprised. She's not your typical pop singer (at least from these three songs) and I'm intrigued to see how the full thing comes out.
I too saw them open for The Hush Sound a few weeks ago. They put on a good show and their music is enjoy/tolerable but I am skeptical as to if I would ever like to listen to them in my car or on my iPod, but after this review, I'll give it a shot. Thanks.
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