Sock Monkey Sound » copeland http://sockmonkeysound.com Music, Podcast, Culture, News Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:57:28 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Featured as one of the Top 10 Music Podcasts by Whitney Matheson on the USA Today Pop Candy Blog. http://popcandy.usatoday.com Sock Monkey Sound gives local, regional, and national musicians and artists of all stripes the opportunity to have frank and open conversations about whatever comes to mind. While at times irreverent and always unscripted; Sock Monkey Sound digs deep into the process of making art while discussing the intersection of the worlds of music, society, politics, pop culture, and crappy band names. Former guests include Eric Axelson of The Dismemberment Plan, Crankupmadonna, Miles Nielsen, Amy Millan of Stars, P.O.S. David Bazan, Kevin Devine, Kate Nash, Colin Hay, Sophie B. Hawkins,Travis Legge, Jonathan Marks of Hey Champ, Ian Hultquist of Passion Pit, Dan McMahon of Cameron McGill and What Army? and The Felix Culpa. Sock Monkey Sound yes 2011 Sock Monkey Sound Music and Culture Podcast Sock Monkey Sound » copeland http://sockmonkeysound.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/sms-rss.jpg http://sockmonkeysound.com TV-MA Rockford, Illinois Weekly with occasional breaks. Local Music Review: Valaska EP http://sockmonkeysound.com/articles/album-reviews/valaska-ep/ http://sockmonkeysound.com/articles/album-reviews/valaska-ep/#comments Mon, 18 Jul 2011 12:25:25 +0000 Lindsey http://sockmonkeysound.com/?p=12927 A review of the newest offering by Downer's Grove band Valaska, produced by Aaron Marsh of the band Copeland.

Sock Monkey Sound

]]>  

The upcoming Valaska [Facebook page] fell into my lap, and I couldn’t resist sharing my thoughts on it.

This is not an absolute “NO” for Valaksa or the EP.  There is not enough variety between the songs to make any one stand out from the rest. That’s why the first song, Perspectives, ends up being my favorite. It is strikingly beautiful, and the insightful lyrics give me chills. As I listened to the album again and again, I kept having to start at a different place because my attention would wander by the end of the album. 

These are five very beautiful songs when they are listened to separately. When put together as a set, they tend to blend together and step on each others toes. 

Dave Valdez is the songwriting engine behind Valaska, and while I enjoy his writing and the production is very solid- it’s just not very well-balanced and does not show that Valaska has any depth as an artist or band. What was presented in the short format of the EP would definitely not make for a good full-length album; as it is now it comes off kinda flat. I’m looking forward to seeing what else comes from Valaska, and hoping that there will be more depth in a full-length or a live performance.

The Valaska EP was recorded with Aaron Marsh of Copeland and the influence he has on the album is very evident. You can purchase it on Bandcamp for $5.00. Take a listen below.


 

 

Sock Monkey Sound

]]> http://sockmonkeysound.com/articles/album-reviews/valaska-ep/feed/ 0