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<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=140 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="index.html"><U><IMG SRC="2f551210.jpg" border=0 width="81" height="33" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="____.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="_"><U><IMG SRC="2f651210.jpg" border=0 width="81" height="33" ALT="80" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="news."><U><IMG SRC="2fb51210.jpg" border=0 width="81" height="33" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="biography"><U><IMG SRC="2f751210.jpg" border=0 width="81" height="33" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="music"><U><IMG SRC="2f851210.jpg" border=0 width="81" height="33" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> <IMG SRC="2f951210.jpg" border=0 width="81" height="33" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <A HREF="id31.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="project"><U><IMG SRC="2fc51210.jpg" border=0 width="81" height="33" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="links"><U><IMG SRC="2fd51210.jpg" border=0 width="81" height="33" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ontact"><U><IMG SRC="2ff51210.jpg" border=0 width="81" height="33" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="24600c00dvldtc.jpg"> <div>  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#888888" FACE="Times New Roman" > <style> BODY { scrollbar-3d-light-color:#999999; scrollbar-arrow-color:#FFFF33; scrollbar-base-color:black; scrollbar-dark-shadow-color:#333333; scrollbar-face-color:#666666; scrollbar-highlight-color:#999999; scrollbar-shadow-color:black} </style>  </FONT></div> <div>   </div> <div>   reviews.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >                            </FONT></div> <bR> <div>     <A HREF="http://rebelriffs.blogspot.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://rebelriffs.blogspot.com/"><U>S</U></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Courier New" ><A HREF="http://rebelriffs.blogspot.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://rebelriffs.blogspot.com/"><U>teve </U></A></FONT><A HREF="http://rebelriffs.blogspot.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://rebelriffs.blogspot.com/"><U>G</U></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Courier New" ><A HREF="http://rebelriffs.blogspot.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://rebelriffs.blogspot.com/"><U>ilmore</U></A> </FONT>-  <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Courier New" ><I>Highly ranked Internet music reviewer since 1996. </I></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div>                                                          <IMG SRC="4e5808c0.jpg" border=0 width="128" height="140" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div>       <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Verdana" ><I><B>Artist: Nad Sylvan Title: McNamara's Son </B></I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Verdana" >By the time December 2003 rolled round, my Best of 2003 was - I thought - complete. To be sure it had been a cracking year and I'd already had enormous agony at paring down the astonishing variety of quality tracks this year had produced. This is my own personal Top Tunes though, so I'm not about to tell all you lot about it, it's mine, mine, mine. Besides I hate all these best of.. things at the best of times, and usually run a million miles away from anything that looks like a list. </FONT></div> <div> Nad Sylvan blew all that careful planning apart in the second week in December by asking me to review his awesome Yellow Sky. Now I am still playing it to death and I'm convinced that this track IS - beyond all shadow of a doubt - one of those very rare, special musical moments that won't come along that often. If you haven't heard this exquisite pearl cast before the swine, correct that mistake right now, me beauties - download/listen immediately. I'll wait until you come back... </div> <div> <-----Sound of foot tapping impatiently................................. </div> <div> See what I mean? Whatever Nad throws at us next is going to have to go some to make the same grade. I'm sure it'll be pretty hot stuff because one of the most striking things about Yellow Sky is the remarkable production values that imbue it with that special patina of excellence. Besides, and to stop myself sounding all pretentious and a right knobhead, I do like music with a bit of bollocks to it and Nad's music has huge, hairy ones. No surprise then that McNamar's Son is going to be treading the same path stylistically; crunchy guitars, punchier production and an arrangement so clean, you could invite the family round and eat your dinner off it. As you may know, I'm not always a fan of clean productions but when the instrumentation and performance is as good as this, a top class production is the final peice of the jigsaw. </div> <div> The track slurps its way into your life - literally. Listen to the first few seconds of it, and tell me I'm wrong. This track confirms in my mind the sheer technical ability Nad has at his disposal, almost everything about both tracks on a technical level is as close to perfect as it gets using ANY kind of 'home' recording. Therefore, the ultimate test for an artist like Nad comes down to one thing only - personal taste. You are either going to 'get' him or you are not. It helps if you like beautifully crafted rock tracks that are SONGS in the truest sense, Nad's yer man. It also helps if you like a distinctly cerebral approach to the art of making music because that is really the hallmark of this very talented artist's work. For me personally, Nad Sylvan - regardless of what he looks like OK - is one of the very best, and most appealing musicians on Soundclick or anywhere else. An individual, multi-faceted talent that you will become familiar with over the next few months because I get the feeling he's just been toying with us so far... </div> <div> Know what I mean? </div> <bR> <div> <I>--Steve Gilmore, SoundClick Boards Forum -> Critics Corner - Review Board, Jan 6 2004</I> </div> <div> <I><B>Artist: Nad Sylvan - Title: Yellow Sky </B></I></div> <div> A track now from the ever-expanding Scandanavian contingent at Soundclick, this time in the guise of one Nad Sylvan. Having already discovered friend and fellow musician Bonamici a while ago, my expectations for M. Sylvan were very high indeed. Anyone who has read my ott reviews of Bonamici's work will know that ANYONE would have to go some to be able to top the very high standard delivered by the aformentioned artist. Not very fair on ol' Nad, you may say, and I suppose you'd be right, but standards are standards right? And it was his mate who raised the bar so high... </div> <div> Woooooaaahhhhhhh, feck feck feck feck feck feck ME!!!!! </div> <div> You have no idea what I have just experienced listening over the past few days to this truly eye-opening, superlative (look it up ya lazy sodz) take on modern music. First of all, the production on this is totally - I mean TOTALLY - to die for. A bass that feels a million miles wide, crisp percussion, expressive keyboards, searing vocals and a tight, action packed arrangement and - best of all - a really top rate kinda rocky/kinda poppy SONG. Yep, folks, standing here deluged - as we are - by a blizzard of standardised instrumental clones, Gilmore stretches out leisurely and picks out a SONG. Not JUST a song, of course, but a top flight, oh-mi-god-I-think-I'm-coming type song that will have you playing this back to back for hours. Yep, that good. </div> <div> Right now, as I type this, I have the track playing full blast - completely drowning out the maddened screams of my neighbours, which is all to the good. </div> <div> With a vocal style that reminds me of a rougher Cat Steven's (or Yousef Ali as he is now known) Nad's voice is a natural and - once again - ir boggles my mind how the music business can be soooo blind to what's happening on the internet music scene. If this were a working band (which it may well be) I would definitely go out to see one of their gigs because I would put money on it being a truly great gig. A keeper from the first note, Yellow Sky is probably the very best sounding track I have EVER heard on the internet and I've heard a lot of internet tracks. Absolutely top notch track no matter what genre it finally resides in - miss it and you'll forever kick yourself for missing the opportunity. </div> <div> If I marked tracks 10/10 this would be an 11. </div> <bR> <div> <I>--Posted: 21 Dec 2003 02:05 am Post subject: Steve Gilmore Reviews: Nad Sylvan - Yellow Sky</I> </div> <div> <I><B>Miles Mayhem reviews Nad Sylvan-- Yellow Sky</B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Verdana" >should start this off by saying that I am biased in favor of music which blends genres in new ways in order to create a totally new sound. Nad Sylvan is an artist who exemplifies this approach to music throughout his work posted on Soundclick. </FONT></div> <div> I was particularly thrilled to find that with Yellow Sky he had created a song which masterfully brings together the sounds of at least two of my favorite styles of music—classic R&B, and 70’s- 80’s pop rock in a piece which is utterly original, flawlessly performed, and meticulously produced. It’s exciting to hear a great song like Yellow Sky complemented by outstanding musicianship and production. Nad Sylvan clearly had a tremendous amount of vision and inspiration as he brought this masterpiece to life. </div> <div> These are my favorite points in the song: </div> <div> 0:05—The extremely memorable harmonized guitar riff is introduced—think Hendrix’s Easy Rider or Lover Man. Meanwhile, the bass joins in the riff and then digs deep for a groove that made me want to get up and shake it. </div> <div> 0:22—Nad’s vocals begin… whoa… You really have to hear it to believe it, but this guy has such an appealing and soulful vocal style, I was floored the first time I heard this (and second, and third, etc). His voice could fit in just as easily singing lead on a Wilson Pickett record as a Roxette hit. The interplay between the phased guitar and retro keyboard sounds are the perfect complement for this verse. </div> <div> 1:00—The first chorus kicks up with another awesome vocal melody and some cool downbeat keyboard playing. Great vocal harmonies really bring this melody to life, without sounding over-produced. </div> <div> 1:19—Nad delivers the punch as he concludes the chorus in a perfectly developed musical euphoria (just when I thought things couldn’t get any better). I love the way that the chord progression suddenly becomes more prominent, enhancing Nad’s melody. </div> <div> 3:23—A super bridge that showcases the extremely tight and well-chosen interplay between the lead and backing vocals. </div> <div> 4:14—This guitar solo rocks so hard… as a guitarist, I was hoping that Nad would cut loose, and my wish was granted. Nad tore this one up and showed what rock music on the radio (at least in the US) is missing these days-- a guitarist who knows how to say something with his instrument. </div> <div> If you haven’t checked out this song or Nad’s other work, do it now. If you have checked this song before, do it again. Nad’s remixed the track, so there are a few subtle changes which I think are steps in the right direction. </div> <div> I look forward to hearing more of Nad Sylvan’s work. Yellow Sky is a killer tune! </div> <bR> <div> <I>--Posted: 08 Dec 2003 02:56 am </I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Verdana" ><I><B>Yellow Sky </B></I></FONT></div> <div> Progressive R&B? I've never heard of such a thing... but it works. there's no doubt about that. My favorite moment is in the introduction: the brief lead, and then the vocals come in. The vocals themselves are well done, both lead and backing, and they held a few instances that reminded me of Peter Gabriel. I like the lead guitar pretty well, and there is a lot of stuff going on in the background here. The little break in the music at 1:47 is a nice touch, and the whole song progresses very nicely from section to section without ever bogging down or becoming boring. The music did stay at about the same level of intensity throughout except for one brief moment that was much quieter around 3:37, but that particular moment was very well done in terms of contrast since it went directly from a distant, quiet sound to a distorted lead. I really like this song, and I think anyone who's into progressive rock should definately check it out. </div> <bR> <div> <I>--Greg E , Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2003 10:27 pm </I></div> <div> <I><B>The Greatest Story Ever Told </B></I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Verdana" >The production is very good on this tune with lots of instrumentation, great mix, it came through just a tad on the hot side on my end!! </FONT></div> <div> I wonder what instruments Mr Sylvan plays? Hmmm, maybe guitar?Maybe a lot of this song was played on a Korg keyboard? At any rate there is enough going on here musically to entice. </div> <div> Nad Sylvan has carefully recreated the essence of R&B/Soul of the late seventies as in IMO Earth, Wind and Fire w/out the brass. Beautifully done with a very dynamic vocal and a memorable melody! </div> <div> I'll definately be checking more out of this artist out!! </div> <div> Peace</div> <bR> <div> <I>--reyvee61</I> </div> <bR> <div>                                    </div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Courier New" ><I> </I></FONT> <A HREF="http://www.thekeyboard.co.uk/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.thekeyboard.co.uk/"><U>D</U></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Courier New" ><A HREF="http://www.thekeyboard.co.uk/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.thekeyboard.co.uk/"><U>avid</U></A></FONT><A HREF="http://www.thekeyboard.co.uk/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.thekeyboard.co.uk/"><U> H</U></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.thekeyboard.co.uk/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.thekeyboard.co.uk/"><U>entschel</U></A></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#6699FF" FACE="Courier New" > - </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#6699FF" FACE="Arial" ><I>G</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#6699FF" FACE="Courier New" ><I>enesis producer and engineer (among others). </I></FONT></div> <div>   </div> <bR> <div>                             <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Courier New" ><IMG SRC="396799c0.jpg" border=0 width="121" height="156" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT></div> <div>    </div> <div>    Hi Nad</div> <bR> <div>    I've finally managed to find time to listen to your album properly.  </div> <div>    Apologies for the delay.</div> <div>    For what it's worth, here is my opinion....</div> <div>    I have to say that overall I'm very impressed.  You are obviously </div> <div>    very dedicated to your music, and approach it with a lot of care. </div> <div>    You have managed to create a collection of songs of high quality and </div> <div>    have forged a unique identity for yourself.   </div> <div>    You have a good ear for songwriting, both content and </div> <div>    structuring (singles can often come by editing as you did with Yellow </div> <div>    Sky, and it's always nice to hear a longer version on the album if </div> <div>    the song will stand it).</div> <div>    The major concern I have really I guess is more down to the state of </div> <div>    the music 'industry' nowadays rather than you - namely that maybe </div> <div>    your music may be TOO musical for the current climate.  This is an </div> <div>    endless source of frustration for me these days, as, in general, </div> <div>    record companies seem to want records that sound like everything else </div> <div>    at the expense of any uniqueness.  There are still occasional </div> <div>    exceptions to this, and that should give us all hope!</div> <div>    My advice would be to continue as you are, writing memorable songs </div> <div>    with good 'hooks' produced and arranged with a high degree of </div> <div>    musicality.  While you have many 'modern' ideas in your arrangements </div> <div>    already, you should maybe make an effort to include more of these </div> <div>    references at the expense of some of the '80's references that you </div> <div>    still use from time to time.  </div> <div>    Hope this helps, and you don't find these honest opinions too </div> <div>    negative.  Whatever you do, keep up the good work!!!</div> <bR> <div>    Best</div> <div>    David</div> <bR> <div>    PS the occasional Genesis influence made me smile :-)</div> <div>    PPS another personal opinion - it was nice to NOT hear any rapping </div> <div>    for a change!</div> <div>    ________________________________________________________________________________________</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Courier New" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >  </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#6699FF" FACE="Arial" >M</FONT>ichael <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#6699FF" FACE="Arial" >B  T</FONT>retow - <I>Engineer & Co-producer of ABBA. (In Swedish)</I></div> <bR> <div>                              <IMG SRC="4949c9c0.jpg" border=0 width="156" height="156" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div>  </div> <div>    DU ÄR INTE KLOK!!!!!!</div> <bR> <div>    Det där var ju ohyggligt! </div> <div>    Det bästa med dina inspelningar är nog energin i dom!</div> <div>    Alla tre låtarna var ju kanon, tur att du inte skickade flera, då hade</div> <div>    det varit för svårt att välja! "Work around the clock" är ju ett</div> <div>    veritabelt akustiskt äventyr nu, vilket arr!</div> <div>    Vilka körer! Vilket framförande!</div> <div>    "Love ain´t no loser", sen, vilken oerhörd nivå du rör dig på!</div> <div>    Detta är stor konst!</div> <div>    Jag tar nog "Snuggin" till mitt program, mycket för att du låter som en</div> <div>    ung Cat Stevens, och för att det är en himla uppåt låt, och att det är så bra arr!</div> <div>    Du kommer att gå långt, sanna mina ord!</div> <div>    Micke</div> <div>  <HR WIDTH="100%" SIZE="3">  </div> <div>       <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" >Having been a long time Sylvan fan, I can only shake my head in wonderment why some label hasn't snatched him up yet. Their hesitancy is our gain however, because his work truly embodies passion, soul, and one hell of a kick ass beat. I am not a big pop music fan, but I DO love Nad Sylvan's music. The work simply has a knack for crossing any genre preferences and demands that one pay attention.  </FONT></div> <div> Anyone who has not heard Nad Sylvan's music, simply doesn't understand the great talent and artistry they are missing. Pop music may not be my preferred taste, however, Sylvan's vocals are a cross between Billy Joel and Cat Stevens, rolled up into some tight infectious foot stomping grooves. Anyone who can't get into "Hair Down Tonight "must be dead already, because that track BEGS to be signed to a major lable.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#3399FF" FACE="Arial" ><I>    </I></FONT><I> </I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >M</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Courier New" >ike</FONT> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >V</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Courier New" >entarola</FONT></div> <div> <I>     </I><A HREF="http://www.hiddensanctuary.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.hiddensanctuary.com"><U><I>Hidden Sanctuary </I></U></A></div> <div>  <HR WIDTH="100%" SIZE="3">  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>                                                        <IMG SRC="4e796960.jpg" border=0 width="150" height="150" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><I>     </I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><I>Reviewer:</I></FONT><I> </I>M<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#3399FF" FACE="Courier New" >ike</FONT> B<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#3399FF" FACE="Courier New" >urn</FONT>,<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#3399FF" FACE="Arial" ><I> Musician, writer & producer - Frankfurt, Germany</I></FONT></div> <div> <I>    Subject: Review:</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#C0DCC0" FACE="Arial" ><I> </I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#3399FF" FACE="Arial" ><I>Sylvanite</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC99" FACE="Arial" ><I> </I></FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" >    The opening song</FONT> '<B>Love Ain't No Loser</B>'<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#C0DCC0" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" >has totally changed compared to the original version. I'm surprised by the new 'heart-beat' and the mix. The vocals are awesome and the arrangement very sophisticated. The listener will always detect new stuff. It's a radio-ready song, done with a lot of passion and love for details and was already broadcasted in Swedish radio. A must listen. </FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC99" FACE="Arial" >  </FONT> '<B>Snuggin´</B>'<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#C0DCC0" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > (A made up word coming from Snogging and Snuggling)</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#C0DCC0" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" >is the song which shows off Nad's unique and unmistakable style of arranging songs. Quadrillions of little samples, guitar licks, flutes and I don't know what else forms the song. It's like a puzzle bound together with great bridges !!! The vocals are fantastic and recorded with lots of passion and love for details. Another radio-ready song, providing a flawless performance and a tight beat, combined with a easy to remember hook and melody. </FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC99" FACE="Arial" >   </FONT>'<B>Penthouse</B>'<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#C0DCC0" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" >is a slower track, and something I would call a "filler song". Somehow done with very reduced instrumentation, it convinces after the third listen with the vocal performance and the hook, together with the chorus overdubs. I wish I would have such chorus singing available for my own productions At the 2:50 mark another great bridge is taking place. Don't ask me, from where Nad gets the ideas for this kind of bridges. </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC99" FACE="Arial" >    </FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC99" FACE="Arial" >   </FONT> '<B>McNamara´s Son</B>'<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" >, a typical Nad Sylvan arrangement massacre! Tons of sophisticated fills, breaks and bridges are flying around the devoted listener's ears.  It's not the typical 'sing-along-song' for average people.  It also has a more narrative style, which doesn't leave much room for repeating hooks.....The vocals are fantastic, expressive, powerful... maybe a bit too dry for my taste. Dry like in the desert... maybe recorded in the garden. Critique: The 'McNamara chorus reminds me for "My Sharona" somehow directly. I totally dig the drums/bass/groove. That's exceptional in it's quality and smoothness. The guitar work is unusual good for a Nad Sylvan song... very fancy guitar sound... hell... great guitar sound with DELAY!  I like that... tight and soulful playing... only the guitar notes at the end maybe repeat one time too much. At the end, this song is what I call 'da bomb' in the independent music scene!!!! I wish I could see this one performed live on a big stage with 100KW laser lights and scanners!!!   </FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC99" FACE="Arial" >  </FONT>'<B>Hair down tonight</B>'<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#C0DCC0" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" >starts directly with a nasty beat and nasty vocals. This song shows very well the extreme power and bandwidth of Nad's voice. The arrangement is very sophisticated too, lots of little gimmicks are happening on every corner. I like especially the tightness of the composition and the acoustic guitar strumming's here and there. The mellotron-like vocals are a little bit too loud I think. At the 3 minutes mark there is a great bridge coming in I love the strange guitar sound and the easiness, how the song develops through the crazy arrangement. Another radio-ready track, good for every summer party. </FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC99" FACE="Arial" >     </FONT>'<B>The Greatest Story Ever Told</B>'<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" >  is one of the songs you can't get out of your head, once it has infected your mind.</FONT></div> <div>  The remarkable song build-up starts with a dreamy piano line and a beat/rhythm guitar combination which reminds me for the style of a very popular song by Grace Jones. </div> <div> Like many songs of Nad I know, the track offers this special, timeless quality and makes you want to</div> <div> listen all over again to discover more little secrets. </div> <div> Nad's voice is showcased in this track here very well and convinces with this unique vibrato and the overall, powerful  tonal range. </div> <div> The radio-ready quality is produced again using a very sophisticated arrangement, paired with great musicianship and performance overall. Last but not least I hear simply a great melody. The guitar solo in this track is probably the best I ever heard from Nad and simply fits tight into this very emotional song, backed by very well thought out keyboard-strings and synth-pads.</div> <bR> <div>    <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC99" FACE="Arial" >  </FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC99" FACE="Arial" >    </FONT>'<B>Work Around The Clock</B>' <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" >starts in a 'cheap' Michael Jackson style. A very narrative song with a slightly untight beat in the beginning... but providing surprising vocals. I don't know if Nad was booking a whole gospel choir or some kind of school choir to record the vocals. Anyhow, this song doesn't belong to my favorites... but the arrangement is so weird and worth a listen. </FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC99" FACE="Arial" >    </FONT><B>'Yellow Sky</B><B>'</B>.<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC99" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" >When I first listened to Nad Sylvan's "Yellow Sky" I thought what kind of guitar sound is this? Still, I didn't figure the equipment used, all I know is that you get addicted to this smooth sound, which is rather unique. </FONT></div> <div> The song is based on a solid and uplifting beat bundled together with a solid bass. It's remarkable how Nad creates "space" in such a overcrowded environment/arrangement, by using a bassline this compact, simple, and following the overall melody of the song at the same time. Nad's arrangements are always a pleasure to listen to and "Yellow Sky" just showcases again this amazing talent. There are a lot of dynamics going on and there is nearly nothing repeating itself. </div> <div> Always new surprises enrich the song, sophisticated background vocals, breaks, stops, sound gimmicks and polyrhythmic patterns. It's simply a pleasure to listen to such a timeless song and to Nad's tight voice leading through the song theme.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC99" FACE="Arial" >   </FONT>  '<B>A</B><B>in't Got That Thing</B>'<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#C0DCC0" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" >appears to be the next filler song. It appears flat in the beginning and not promising too much. What should I say, Nad's filler songs are better than most of the tracks other artists call their best. From the 1 minute mark the song develops in a way, which is simply cool. Especially the bassline and treatment of the low frequencies caught my ears. The vocals again are a impeccable performance. Nad's method of modulating and coloring his voice is professional. Again there is a great bridge to discover at the 2:30 minutes mark ! Overall the track is a little bit 'empty' for my ears, but worth a listen in any case. </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC99" FACE="Arial" >    </FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC99" FACE="Arial" >    </FONT>'<B>Bitch On Guitar</B>'<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#C0DCC0" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" >is a crazy mixture of rockabilly music, cheap synthetic instrumentation and Joe Cocker. Irritating but captivating in any case. I really don't understand the hillbilly parts at all... but everything else is cool and more than interesting. The synth pads create a rich atmosphere, vocal samples are flying in. After a nice little sawtooth-synthesizer change, the best bridge I ever heard is coming in at the 3 minutes mark. For a short moment you hear definitely David Bowie on the vocals and in the chorus. For me the bridge is too short, because it's so good. The fade-out is a little unmotivated. </FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC99" FACE="Arial" >  </FONT>  '<B>Good Luck, Good Night, Goodby</B><B>e</B>'<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#C0DCC0" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" >starts in a surrealistic way with a sampled guitar loop, which stops and prepares the ground for a great song and arrangement. A perfect song to end a live performance. I can see waving hands and lighters in the air. the vocals are more than impressive again, the melody simply wonderful. It is not the beat which brings the song forward, it's the surprising way how Nad puzzles little licks together and brings the song forward with his exceptional vocals.</FONT></div> <div>  Overall 'Sylvanite' is a remarkable album, which will be my next purchase. The production is good and done with incredible passion and love for details. Nothing is unintentional what you hear and supported of one of the most unique and 'best' male voices on MP3.com, which is able to perform the songs live any time. Nad for sure belongs to the most sophisticated producers on MP3.com from my point of view. The best of all... this album has long term appeal and is worth every dollar.  </div> <div> <U> <HR WIDTH="100%" SIZE="3">  </U></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" >     </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" >Reviewer:</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#66CCCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CC3333" FACE="Arial" >B</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC3333" FACE="Courier New" >obby</FONT> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CC3333" FACE="Arial" >B</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC3333" FACE="Courier New" >ensley</FONT>, <A HREF="http://www.poormansbikinibeach.com/index.shtml" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.poormansbikinibeach.com/index"><U>Poorman´s Bikini Beach</U></A></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" >     Subject: Review:</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>'<B>McNamara´s Son</B>', Sylvanite </div> <div>      Comments: Sweden has been prominent in the International Indie music scene of late. At the South-by-South West conference earlier this month the Nordic presence was strong and well deserved as top shelf Swedish bands were being showcased in multiple venues across Austin Texas.</div> <div>      Conspicuous by his absence was the Anthemic Pop Rocker Nad Sylvan, whose new release McNamara’s Son solidifies his position as a Swedish Pop Rock Deity. In all seriousness this tune only typifies the exceptionally strong songwriting, performance and production I have come to expect from Mr. Sylvan.</div> <div>      Highlighted by biting lyrics over funky grooves, this tune is classic Sylvan. Blending the best attributes of Pop and Rock productions this tune would be as suitable on Contemporary Adult Pop FM as it would be in a Broadway or Las Vegas production.</div> <div>      Sylvan’s choice of instrumentation and rhythm has always been one of the strengths of his productions and for what is quite possibly the first time in history Nad has found a use for the quirky traditional instrument the Jews Harp in the ending of this song that is not only useable but actually fitting.</div> <div>      Spanning decades in sound McNamara’s Son jumps back and forth from 80’s Groove Pop with melodic electric guitar solos to a more contemporary acoustic pop as Sylvan steps out from behind the curtain on this one and tells the story of a drag queens rocky relationship with McNamara’s son. </div> <div>      Sylvan’s product is as commercially ready as he can possibly make it. It screams for attention and is deserving of it. If only the artist had the needed promotional tools to compliment the craftsmanship of his musical productions he might be playing to sold out shows on the Los Vegas strip and VH-1 fame.</div> <bR> <div>  <U> <HR WIDTH="100%" SIZE="3">  </U></div> <div> <B>    </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>