From time to time independent artists and bands ask us to review their music and we’ve obliged them. We don’t receive anything for this whatsoever and we do our best to be as honest and forthright with our opinions as possible while (hopefully) being constructive. That’s a part of what music criticism is, right? Alexx Calise is an independent female rock singer, guitarist and songwriter that sent us an email asking for a review. So we thought, who better to dig deep into her than Sock Monkey Sound’s female writer Lindsey?
by Lindsey Bakker
Alexx Calise kicking it like a rock star.
Apparently, Alexx’s music has been featured on several reality television programs. I usually try to avoid those. She’s also been written up in several magazines that I haven’t read. I can honestly say that I’ve avoided all contact with Alexx’s music purely by accident.
Thank God for that.
Alexx is not without talent. She sings on key (though I think, it’s common for stuff like this to be pitch corrected these days), and can play the guitar very well. Anything more than that is lost in the overwhelming production of the songs. I haven’t been able to get to any of the lyrics because I can’t listen to the songs for more than 30 seconds at a time. It’s like Avril, Pink and Evanescence all mashed up together, if you like that sort of thing.
Take away the over-produced, auto tuned, and manufactured solo artist aspect that someone has molded her into and listen to her other project, Sound Of Cancer. You can hear more of the experimental rock sound that her music should be as opposed to her ‘paint-by-numbers’ solo material. This is where we see more of who Alexx is- as a musician. Sound Of Cancer I may not like, but I could definitely get behind them and maybe respect them. A little bit.
This is precisely what’s wrong with society’s treatment of women. I’m not trying to come off as a flaming feminist- I’m not. Really. It just pisses me off that when there is someone that has something to say, and is able to say it well, we have to sexy her up before she gains any popularity. Even if, right now, she’s still only an independent artist.
It pisses me off that people can take a semi-talented artist and say, “Hey, you know what would make this better? Let’s put a halter top on her.” It gives the message that society/fans/music industry aren’t really interested in your message, your art or your music but rather your look. If that’s all they care about, there’s really no point in making quality music.
How many other artists have been ruined by this method?
I would love to drop my respectable school career and become a rock star. I highly doubt I’d make it now. My jeans and t-shirts probably wouldn’t cut it at all and I’d have to put on some make up. Get a hair cut; or at least style my hair in some way rather than just letting it dry where it lays. What other careers are closed off to me? I could never be a tv chef. I’m not crazy enough to be a reality tv star. I’d be kicked off The Bachelor first round.
I’m getting a little off-track now.
Alexx, I don’t hate you; I dislike the wrapper and trimmings in which you present your music. The vehicle in which you’ve chosen to drive towards stardom. I think everything would be a lot better if the producer was ditched and you start making the sound that you talk about when you talk about your influences.
I did more than cringe while listening to the music to write this article. I watched videos and read interviews, basic research and more. I read through your blog- and thoroughly enjoyed it. If given the chance I’d totally hang out with you, we’d get along just fine. You seem smarter than this; you could be better than this. Do something better.
LB
Alexx
12/12/2010
Ouch! Guess you can't win 'em all, haha. I appreciate your honesty, LB (and for taking the time to listen to my music, even if it made you cringe); I'd rather my material be passionately hated than just mildly liked. It means that in some way, be it good or bad, the listener was affected.
I assume that you're probably more old school (which I can totally appreciate), and enjoy more raw, stripped down production. I wanted to go in this particular direction (meaning me, not because I was advised to do so) because I didn't want to do a straight up grunge record. It's already been done, and I wanted to try something new and different (I'm also influenced by artists outside of the grunge arena). I think Sound of Cancer would definitely fare better with you, because it's definitely a bit rawer and I think you could appreciate its musicality if nothing else.
I do appreciate a review like this (sharp as that tongue may be, haha) because it puts a fire under my ass to keep plugging away and bettering myself on a musical level. I'd also call this Karma for writing all those negative music reviews about other artists when I was an entertainment columnist in the past, haha!
I think we'd definitely get along (as you said) if we sat and had a beer one day for example. I'd rather someone tell me to my face what they really think about me and what I'm doing than just try to placate me.
I do have to defend myself about the pitch correction/Autotune comment though; I can assure you that I do have very good relative pitch, as you'll see in my stripped down acoustic Youtube clips.
Anyway, I do thank you again for your honesty, and I hope that my solo material doesn't necessarily deter you from giving my other band's music a chance. I just have different musical outlets for different emotions.
Best,
Alexx Calise
Danger
12/13/2010
This comment is unrelated to the music itself (I'm sure there were as many uniformly deliberate choices regarding the Flyleaf's cousin arrangements as there were about the image).
Never apologize for being overtly feminist; specifically within the aspects that you take issue with. First because there's no reason to devalue your opinion if you have a cogent argument for holding that opinion and 2nd because there's not anything inherently anti-feminist about a lady artist having a more involved, dolled up, or intensely sexualized style/look. The point where it becomes problematic is when that look or image is positioned as being more primary than the content of their work (which I agree seems to be the case with this artist). Artists are much less likely to worry about getting Liz Phair'd (a songwriter pulling the brains out of the music and taking their pants off in Maxim instead) if no one has the guts to question why they decided (or allowed themselves to be placed in a position where others decided) to do so.
chipcopeland
12/13/2010
Alexx, thanks for submitting your work for review. It says a lot when an artist is willing to put themselves out there like that when they don't know what the outcome will be. And then, have a level head about the critique and respond in an intelligent and reasonable fashion. So many people out on the net, on message boards and other sites, just talk crap without trying to be constructive or have a decent and respectful conversation.
I hope folks here on our site can be respectful and constructive in the future. Sometimes it's hard for me to do and there are plenty of episodes of our show where I have dissed something only to be schooled later on. Nebraska by The Boss being one of those things.
As for the pitch/auto tune thing, you do have great pitch based on what I saw in those You Tube videos. But IMO, it seems that certain genre's of music either A)use it for effect, or B) use it as a crutch. The same thing with drum replacement and triggers. We have friends who work with producers that replace everything to the point where you wonder how much of the actual performance is still there.
The nice thing about music is that there are so many different things out there for different people. Different music for a mood, personality, and tastes- something for everyone. And sooner or later everything can find an audience.
Lindsey
12/13/2010
Alexx,
This is precisely why I think that we'd get along so well. I respect the fact that you can articulately and fairly defend what was written about you and chalk it up to, "Well, we just see things differently." That's precisely the attitude I have about most things. Thank you for your kind reply.
I went back and forth a long time, wondering if what I had written was just TOO harsh. Even though it's not my cup of tea, I understand that others have different views than I do.
Keep working hard, and hopefully I'll get to see you soon (with SOC, haha)!
C.C. Deville
12/14/2010
So Alexx, what's your number? Hit me up baby girl.
Barbara Ann
12/14/2010
You are so awesome!
Alexx
12/14/2010
Thanks very much Chip and Lindsey. I'd be delusional if I thought everyone in the world would like my music and understand what I'm trying to do. People will inevitably love you and hate you for the same reasons, so all you can really do is just be yourself and do what makes YOU happy. I honestly don't think that anything you said was objectionable by any stretch, and had you censored yourself, Lindsey, you wouldn't be a good writer (these kinds of reviews also keep me from getting a big head, haha)…
Anyway, please take care of yourselves and I'll definitely let you all know when SOC comes out
LOL at C.C. by the way.
Lindsey
12/16/2010
Alexx,
Let me know if you're ever in Chicago. I'd be more than willing to give you another chance. You've been awesome about this whole thing.