Regular Columnists

Artist: Kim Acuna
Album: "Shadows"
CD Review: Grading Scale 1 low to 10 high

Genre: AAA
Sounds Like: Joan Armatrading/Tracy Chapman/Dave Mathews
Technical Grade: 8
Production/Musicianship Grade: 9
Commercial Value: 6
Overall Talent Level: 7
Songwriting Skills: 7
Performance Skill: 7
Best Songs: Shadows, Getaway, Someone You Love, Few More Minutes
Weakness: The hooks are not well defined. Needs fuller vocal arrangements in the bridge and chorus areas to "sell" the songs.
CD Review: I played this CD about 10 times before I realized why I wasn't paying attention to it. The volume on my stereo was cranked pretty loud for this kind of alternative, pop-rock, bluesy, jazzy kind of music. So what was the problem? It didn't command my attention! The majority of songs just seemed to come and go without announcing their arrival. If it were not for the top-notch musicianship, high production values, and organic live performance feel of this CD, I probably would not have listened to all of it.

Advice: There is talent here. Lots of it. There needs to be a vocal arranger employed on the next project who can compose harmonies to further enhance the nice melodies and musical arrangements that Kim is good at doing.

http://www.kimacuna.com