Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

Amanda Grace - ​Trains, Cars & Trip To Mars

3/7/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
 Amanda Grace

​Trains, Cars & Trip To Mars
self-released; 2015

3.3 out of 5

By Ted Rogen


Amanda Grace is an artist who released a children's album entitled Trains, Cars & A Trip to Mars. At least I think it is supposed to be a children's album but it feels more or less just like an album about what kids do. There really isn’t that much different on this album from any other singer/songwriter with a nice voice and decent skills on the piano. I feel like adults are more apt to enjoy this than children. For example I can’t see many young kids enjoying “Cloudy Day” or “Rainbow Skies” which are slow moving melancholy songs and don’t have much of a hook. Songs for children need easy hooks and simple language. Some of these songs seem too much for children to grasp. 

Grace has enough skill and talent to make these songs sound good. That being said she occasionally drops in sound effects and samples, which almost completely ruin the songs. There is a way to do this but the way these effects are implemented simply distract and separate you from the song.   

The album starts with “Candy Planet” which starts with a simple piano melody and vocals. I can’t believe no one thought it might be better to omit the samples that not only mask the melodies but are so loud in the mix.  

Grace continues to sing in the first person as if she is the child on “Alphabet Map.” The samples on “I Dreamt About Trains” are the most overt and incongruous. Other songs like “Little Girl At Our House” and “I Love You” are slow moving, melancholy piano ballads. 

At the end of the day the biggest problem with this release is that it won’t resonate with a certain demographic. Sorry to say but very little about these songs sound kid friendly especially compared to what else is in the market for the little ones. It also doesn’t have much appeal to adults because of the subject matter. Grace does have talent when it comes to songwriting and playing but the direction of this release is confusing at best.
Become A Fan
Tweet
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
Book Your Band
© Divide and Conquer 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact