A collection of spirited material from the Los Angeles based band, Imaginary Friends, "Fragile Illusion" paints a musical canvas lush with texture and rich with engaging rhythms. The new CD, highlighted by the stellar voca... more »ls and trademark harmonies of front women Stacy Robin and Donna Rawlins, showcases the strength of their collaborative and individual song writing talents. Longtime friends, Stacy and Donna have crafted a deliciously edgier complement to their earlier release "What If". "Fragile Illusion" embraces a wider range of style and emotion with an insightful take on contemporary issues and a fresh viewpoint on the complexity, fragility and resilience of the human spirit.« less
A collection of spirited material from the Los Angeles based band, Imaginary Friends, "Fragile Illusion" paints a musical canvas lush with texture and rich with engaging rhythms. The new CD, highlighted by the stellar vocals and trademark harmonies of front women Stacy Robin and Donna Rawlins, showcases the strength of their collaborative and individual song writing talents. Longtime friends, Stacy and Donna have crafted a deliciously edgier complement to their earlier release "What If". "Fragile Illusion" embraces a wider range of style and emotion with an insightful take on contemporary issues and a fresh viewpoint on the complexity, fragility and resilience of the human spirit.
CD Reviews
What They Sound Like....
world traveler | California | 11/28/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"It's the gorgeous steady rhythms and the hook of sensual phrasings that lure you to this CD!
It's the city corner where the swelling rhythm section fills the street air and beckons you to groove to them in tandem.
It's the wish that these were, indeed, friends of yours. We can all pretend, though, can't we?"
Whether Los Angeles or Oz, it's all "the heartland"
world traveler | 04/27/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I picked these gals up 'cause someone on Amazon recommended them on the product page for Kasey Chambers' folk-country release, "Barricades & Brickwalls."And you know what? That listener was right! Lotsa good stuff here. Some songs are tradtional country, while others are very razzy and almost pop ("Fire Touch the Sky). But it all works.The music supervisors of Sandy Bullock's next film should take note and hire these friends for the her next movie soundtrack! Don't know why these folksters don't have a cover photo up for this CD, but check out their debut CD cover, "What If..." These women seem to be under the radar, but probably not for long. In the meantime, they are MY undiscovered musical secret!"
Can't help dancin'!
world traveler | 04/19/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Just saw these folks live last night at Genghis Cohen in Los Angeles, where they funked up the place! Let me tell you, it's not often you see a sexy babe playing an enormous djembe drum and singing like a countrified Cyndi Lauper! I had to dance! The other lead singer, Donna, sang "Don't Watch Me Cryin' off Fragile Illusion and it was a COMPLETELY different vibe! Very sultry, very traditional guitar-based country. The players in this band were so sharp. The mandolin/violin player added so much aural depth to the songs! I bought this CD at their show and I loved it! It pretty much ranges all over the place, genre-speaking, but I like that cafeteria-experience with my music. Favorites: "Hit That Jive Jack," a Manhattan Transfer-type doo-wop, "Fire (Touch the Sky)" and "Happy For You." I gotta say, the spark and energy and multi-instrument harmonies really do translate from the stage to the studio on this CD, and that's a good thing!"
FOLKSY ALT-COUNTRY
G. Phelps | Seattle, WA | 03/05/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This album marries a roots-rock sound to a country-folk sensibility, then honeymoons on world-music rythms!
Add the fact that there are TWO lead singer/songwriters and what you have is a CD that should be served with a menu.First Donna captains a rootsy romp like "Wicked Ways," then Stacy explores emotions from a perspective of strength in the Cajun-influenced "Comes Around." AND she plays the West African Djembe, the Middle-Eastern Dumbek, and the Latin Cabasa and Congas, percussive influences that span the continents!If you like Kasey Chambers, the Aussie who sounds like dyed-in-the-wool Americana, you might like the genre-twister of Fragile Illusion."
I loved it.
G. Phelps | 03/11/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm not sure how I stumbled upon these guys, but what a great CD! I love the mix and style of the music and the silky voices of this group. What a great new find. I will definitely follow this band for their next CD."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1