alice smith: do i.

ALICE SMITH has been rocking my pod for a while. The first time I heard "Do I", I nearly cried. The emotion in Alice's voice is so raw, and it's soulful in the kind of way that isn't trying too hard to be soulful (see Joss Stone).

Though don't call it soul around her. She won't agree.

"I don't think of it as a soul record. When I was in school, I really thought about soul a lot. I was listening a lot to Björk and to the Commodores. I really wanted to know how they felt. And especially with Björk, the music there told me wow, that's really her soul, there. I thought about her a lot, about the sound of her music… Well, it wasn't exactly about the sound, and it wasn't about what other people call 'finding your bounds', or whatever. I thought of her soul; her music made me contemplate her soul. It made me think of Björk, and how she felt. You know what I mean? What she felt like inside. It was never about the genre. So I just came never to think of the idea of soul as being about a category."
Strangely, this makes sense. Few of Smith's songs sound the same, and as she grows in popularity major labels have been trying to sign her. Unfortunately, this process has been incredibly frustrating as they have been asking her to focus her sound to fit into a defined category or genre. "A lot of people at these labels treat audiences like they're stupid. Like, 'You should focus your style or people won't get it.' I don't think that's true. Who only listens to country music? I mean, I'm sure there are people out there, but not the normal ones," she states in an article from Rolling Stone. Well, whether she remains indie or heads to the majors, she'll still have my ears.

If you happen to be in the Philly area, Alice Smith will be playing on May 6th at the Black Lily Film and Music Festival. Be sure to check it out!

d/l: ALICE SMITH- Do I (YSI)
(heartbreaking bluesy soul-rock ballad)
- buy it - site it - space it - hype it - wik it -

BLOGWATCH: Scattermish has a teaser for the new Bjork album, as well as a track from Diplo's protege DJ Blaqstar. Bigstereo shows me how late I am in discovering the amazing Yelle by posting her also amazing video...From Blown Speakers has a few songs up for download.

alice smith vs. corinne bailey rae: soul-ebrity deathmatch.

ALICE SMITH is one of those musical artists that I just couldn't resist blogging about. Like Corinne Bailey Rae, she is one of those rare modern soul songstresses who really shines...except after hearing Alice Smith, I'd throw Ms. Bailey Rae into a trash can in a second.

It's nothing personal. Both ladies write exquisite soul songs, except Smith actually delivers the soul. Where Corinne sugarcoats her songs in a simple, happy acoustic sound, Alice revels in the darkness with her complex arrangements. Alice makes the type of music that...leaves you breathless, wanting more. It's invigorating. It's true, cathartic at times. Compared to Alice, Corinne's tunes are nothing but background music.

However, Corinne is still on top in the end when it comes to sales. While Alice is performing show after show in NYC, Corinne's album is being sold in every Starbucks in the city. She's touring the world, popping up everywhere from iTunes to VH1. She's playing the majors...BUT she's playing it safe. It seems as if Corinne draws too much from her formerly successful influences, while Alice isn't afraid to take risks and go where her heart takes her. And while she may be stuck updating her own myspace page (GASP!), this only increases her genuine appeal. Top that off with a four octave range, and I think we have a winner.

DOWNLOAD: ALICE SMITH- Dream
DOWNLOAD: ALICE SMITH- Fake is the New Real
(mp3s courtesy of soul shower)

BUY For Lovers, Dreamers, & Me <-- HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

DOWNLOAD: CORINNE BAILEY RAE- Trouble Sleeping (KRCW session)

BUY Corinne Bailey Rae

BLOGWATCH: Analog Giant has a great remix by Freeform Five of Alice Smith's song "Love Endeavor". Stars are blind has that new JoJo which I know you've been...um...dying to hear?

BLOGGER NOTE: I'll be away until next week with no internet, so hopefully you will be able to survive. Leave me some love!