2nd album from gifted NYC singer/songwriter/rocker cooks up a brew of rock, psychedelia, folk, and a touch of Bowiesque glam that is simply not to be missed! Once in a blue moon, an album arrives on the shelves that lite... more »rally defies all categorization. I genuinely prize such works when they come my way. Most often I have found that these albums are usually products of the female persuasion. Such items that come to mind are Area's fragments of the morning and Milla's The Divine Comedy. Well it's time to add another spectacular addition to the list. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Patti Rothberg's Candelabra Cadabra.You may recall that Rothberg had a debut on the EMI America label back in 1996 called Between the 1 and 9 that received numerous raves. Unfortunately, Patti's big label folded shortly after her release leaving her to her own devices for a short time. Now she's back on Cropduster with a new set of material that for all intents and purposes is strictly magical. And that's not really an adjective that I'd ever dreamed of using in a record review before now. Hearing Rothberg's music is like opening a giant story book! filled with enormous and colorful illustrations and diving in head first. Or maybe it's like an old lost book of spells that is at once both enchanting and ominous. Either way, this is the stuff dreams are made of. The dreams you have when you're deep asleep in the dark late at night. The dreams that sparkle and fade, gently pulling you awake in the morning. With Patti, everything is very grand. She paints minutiae with wide brush strokes that color your own imagination and keep you seeking more within her melodies.« less
2nd album from gifted NYC singer/songwriter/rocker cooks up a brew of rock, psychedelia, folk, and a touch of Bowiesque glam that is simply not to be missed! Once in a blue moon, an album arrives on the shelves that literally defies all categorization. I genuinely prize such works when they come my way. Most often I have found that these albums are usually products of the female persuasion. Such items that come to mind are Area's fragments of the morning and Milla's The Divine Comedy. Well it's time to add another spectacular addition to the list. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Patti Rothberg's Candelabra Cadabra.You may recall that Rothberg had a debut on the EMI America label back in 1996 called Between the 1 and 9 that received numerous raves. Unfortunately, Patti's big label folded shortly after her release leaving her to her own devices for a short time. Now she's back on Cropduster with a new set of material that for all intents and purposes is strictly magical. And that's not really an adjective that I'd ever dreamed of using in a record review before now. Hearing Rothberg's music is like opening a giant story book! filled with enormous and colorful illustrations and diving in head first. Or maybe it's like an old lost book of spells that is at once both enchanting and ominous. Either way, this is the stuff dreams are made of. The dreams you have when you're deep asleep in the dark late at night. The dreams that sparkle and fade, gently pulling you awake in the morning. With Patti, everything is very grand. She paints minutiae with wide brush strokes that color your own imagination and keep you seeking more within her melodies.
"Granted, this album takes a much different approach than the priorly released BETWEEN THE 1 & THE 9, but that doesn't detract from the obvious power of Rothburg's musicality. If anything, the fact that she can put out a record with a completely different sound and attitude speaks highly of her as an artist.
Upon first listening to this, I expected the cool vibe and meaning derived from BETWEEN, but I got something totally different. This album is awesome in that it explores many different genres and isn't afraid to use a sitar! With elements of punk, satire, pop, and rock, there is enough variety to allow enjoyment for all listeners. The one prevalent thing is Rothburg's wit. Personal favorites include "Shadows of Me," "You Killed My Time," (which spots an awesome rock-guitar solo), the satiric "Wry It Girl," and a cover of David Bowie's "Moonage Daydream."
You might not like the album the first time around, but the more you listen, the more intricate it becomes. Check it out before pre-judging! It's not the same as BETWEEN, but it's not supposed to be."
Great CD
Ian Springer | Delran, NJ USA | 03/07/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Not quite the classic that "Between the 1 and the 9" is, but still a first class album and one that continues to grow on you. I'm eagerly awaiting Patti's next. Btw, this CD can be purchased from Patti's website for $16.50 - http://www.bignoisenow.com/rothbergcds.html.
"
Sophomore effort an artistic triumph!!
Misspent Youth | New York, NY | 02/28/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Patti Rothberg released an earlier record entitled "Between The One And The Nine", an excellent example of a mid 90's female guitar slinger of the Lilith Fair generation. This record is even better, but very different, and much harder to classify. It's still within the pop / rock realm, but the instrumentation is more dense, complex and varied. Patti contributed vocals, guitar, percussion and synth (not to mention the cover artwork), there are other keyboards and strings, and some sitar highlights. The songs remain melodic but many are darker, heavier and much more psychedelic than anything on "Between..." and further from Lilith's singer/songwriter oeuvre. The subject matter ranges well beyond her home territory of urban romance and rebellion; and there's often a longing, almost melancholy beauty to the lyrics and the sound. If Patti continues with this innovative type of artistic output it won't be long before she becomes the Kate Bush of her generation. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!"
A keeper!
David A. Berman | The Granite State | 08/15/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I don't have the music expertise or vocabulary to wax eloquent about this album, but I know what I like, and I like this; it's a keeper! The others have made the positive comments I would if I could."