Catching Flies with Vinegar
Friday, 10 April 2009 07:23 | 
Author: The Grouch | 
If you have been reading this blog (chances are overwhelmingly good that you haven't) then you are familiar with E-Music.com.
E-Music.com is a subscription service that gives you 30 downloads a month for $10.00. They have a really wide selection of music. I picked up a live album of Cheap Trick playing the Metro in Chicago and a really good album by Teenage Bottlerocket. Unfortunately not every pick is a winner.
This leads me to Jana Peri. I downloaded a copy of the album Catching Flies with Vinegar.
I listened to a sample before getting the album. I thought she has a strong voice and there is the potential for this album to blow me away like the Gore Gore Girls did. When I looked at the album cover I thought this is going be be somewhat similar to early Pat Benatar - its not.
How can I put this? This album sucks.
Her voice is strong. However her lyrics are boring and pompous. The guitar does not rock. The band sounds bored. I wonder if this is a real band or something record company executives put together.
So Grouch, how bad is it? Well I'm glad you asked. Track 2 New York Proud is a perfect example of how much this albums stinks. The lyrics are:
" I live where great things happen / all the streets are paved in satin / its an island I love called Staten / every time I take a 747 people ask me about 9-11 / I'll say it loud I'm New York Proud"
I think this is supposed to be an anthem for the people in New York. This type of pseudo-soul fills the album. I can't find a single track that doesn't suck.
One website I found had this to say:
NYC power pop/rocker JANA PERI and the boys mix British Invasion and Punk influences, resulting in a powerful and tasty pop cocktail. Harmonies and hooks galore. Winner of ROCKRGRL Discoveries 2004 contest.
I have to ask myself what planet are these people from? If this album is anything like the stuff she played that helped her win the ROCKRGRL Discoveries 2004 contest, the contest must have been rigged.
I'll give the band one scowl for having made it through the recording sessions. It must have been painful for them.
Do not buy this album.