To those who subscribe to music industry conventions, Miranda Stone has it all wrong. A live album is a project that should only take shape when a fanbase has been established through the marketing of several albums. But Stone's fanbase has been established through frenetic live shows, and sidestepping industry conventions is an integral part of how she works.
At her Cornerstone press conference, Stone said she'd taken some flack from certain sectors for describing her music as folk-punk. That label could be misleading--the guitar playing is largely distortion free for a start--but the DIY ethic which characterised early punk is certainly one which is evident here. The reasoning behind the word "folk" is more evident. The music is rough, ready, and acoustic, intended to relate to and involve the listeners.
Included mid-way through the album are a couple of children's stories, read ably, and to the obvious pleasure of the crowd by one of Stone's band. These make an amusing and strangely fitting addition to the recording, refusing to allow the album to be used as background music, but may become tiresome after repeated listens. So too could a few of the musical slip-ups. A few slips of the fingers or technical issues are to be expected from any live album worthy of the name, but a couple less would have helped this album to be a more pleasing listen.
Miranda Stone is an intriguing character, and this is clear from her music. Those who've enjoyed her live will no doubt want this souvenir and it may win her more friends, but it's not quite the classic it could have been.
3.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
7ball #31Reviewed by UnknownMiranda Stone uses her brand of alternative folk to write about the experiences of herself and those around her. "I want the Spirit of God to be very, very present in the music I'm doing," she told The Phantom Tollbooth. "But even offstage I want to be able to communicate and have it shine out my eyes."The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Chris ParksMiranda Stone describes her work as "folk punk," which by itself sets her apart from the mainstream. I will leave any lengthy pondering about what that implies to folks who take music genres very seriously. Judging by her first two albums, Miranda Stone means by "folk punk" lyrics and music that is very direct, unpolished, and takes on life head-on with little in the way of pretense. Ms. Stone's…The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Israel KlossMiranda Stone has done it again. Her sophomore release provides some kickin' live tunes that match the excellence of her debut five-song album, Brave. There are at least two songs on this new album that may even exceed the originality of her freshman album. Stone's voice is, again, the passionate focal point of the album and it sounds better than ever. It has the same bull-in-a-china-closet…Similar sounding releases
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