Artist: Arden Kaywin
Title: Quarter Life Crisis
Genre: Pop-Rock
Label: Independent
Website

Arden Kaywin is going through a Quarter Life Crisis and she wants to share it with you through her music. What is most impressive about this independent release is that Kaywin penned all of tracks herself. Even major releases do not include all original songs at times so she is already ahead of the curve. The twenty-something post college crowd should find common ground with this woman’s music and message.

Although all of her songs have an upbeat atmosphere, the lyrics are not always as bubbly. Kaywin explores her feelings and her cold-hearted world with a new set of eyes. Lost loves and the need to be with someone that returns her love is all she is looking for…but it seems so elusive.

The musicianship and production are first rate on this recording and those important factors make Arden’s voice sparkle and shine in every track. The only thing that I noticed were there could have been some improvement was the inflection and mood of her voice. For the most part, it stays the same throughout the CD regardless of what the subject matter is. Being that this project is such an emotional statement, I think there should be a noticeable amount of changing inflection in every track; however, it does not vary too much.

Those observations aside, this was an enjoyable release with enough vibrancy and energy to keep you interested from start to finish. If Arden Kaywin finds a way of wearing her heart on her sleeve when she sings a song she is going to be a force to be reckoned with. She could have a hit that is a real chart climber. Just knowing you have the foundation to achieve greatness should be motivation enough to get right back in the studio for any artist. So start recording that next album Arden, you have what it takes, just put more of what you are feeling into your vocalizations and your listeners will be putty in your hands.

© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

February 14, 2006

01. Me With Me (3:39)
02. On The Edge (2:37)
03. When Will It Happen (3:26)
04. As Long As You Love Me (3:46)
05. Typical (3:30)
06. Homeland (3:35)
07. Unsaid (3:21)
08. What If (3:20)
09. Numb (3:19)
10. Over You (3:47)


Rating-7.5/10

Credits:

Arden Kaywin-Piano:
Ziv Gottlieb-Additional Piano
Rudy Haeusermann, Josh Delia-Guitars
Josh Delia-Bass
Scotty Lund, except "Unsaid" drums by Rudy Haeusermann-Drums
Rudy Haeusermann-Percussion:
Rudy Haeusermann except "Over You" arranged by Fred Krohn-
String Arrangements

Noticed on her website that her songs can be found on Napster and Itones...I'm not so sure this gal is an "Indie" artist or not.

What does everyone else thing? And how come they're Napster ads to the left of this site??? Isn't Napster major label now??

think that is*

We have contracts with itunes and Walmart, as does CDbaby.

So explain to me how the boycott plays in all this?

I assume you still want to listen to new music while your boycotting the old stuff...

No?

Yes, but I don’t go through major label owned p2p's like Napster to do so.....I don't know. I think we should be boycotting all protects and services from the cartel. That includes games, products, candy, t-shirts, radio, download services, movies, and anything else that comes to mind. If we're hoping to bring these guys down I think we should have both feet in the water...And I'm a little disturbed by the Napster ads I found on this very site....And I hate this major media more than anyone. I just think we should go after them full force....I don't think it's been really explained how much Sony, Viacom, EMI, and others really own. I don't want to just boycott their music.....I want to put them out of business!

What's up with guys anyway? Leave this discussion on another page, this is not about the artist. Many INDIE artists use Itunes, CD Baby and various forms of digital distribution. She is not signed to a major and YES she is an Indie artist!

"Many INDIE artists use Itunes, CD Baby and various forms of digital distribution."

Again....why?

Why not?

Pop Dolls is on itunes, do you want to ban them? You don't see Apple telling them to remove their songs from this site, do you? All itunes is, is another form of distribution, not sure what the percentage breakdown on sales would be, but for a independant artist, it still has got to be a better deal than going through the label logjam.

http://popdolls.dmusic.com/

Good Work