Flowmotion Is That Right***Portland’s own Flowmotion is decent quasi-psychedelic rock. To grasp their musical style, imagine a trust-afarian bar band–heavy on the wah-wah, heavy on the Dave Matthews Band influences. But unlike DMB, Flowmotion is listenable, if not entirely original. The bass guitar syncs up with the drums quite poetically on songs like “Roll Away,” and the title track “Is That Right” is a reasonably funky song. I would’ve given them an extra half-star had their name not sounded like a hip-hop group to me, which they are definitely not. That’s just sneaky.
WoelvTout Seul Dans La For퀌�t En Plein Jour, Avez-Vous Peur? *Given the fact that she signed to K Records, it is surprising to learn that French-Canadian singer Woelv pretty much bites the big one. According to her biography, Woelv says, “I will always sing in French because I wouldn’t feel honest otherwise.” Fair enough, but I just don’t feel honest about listening to this music. I understand K’s need for diversity, but like many French movies that I’ve watched lately, this music is interesting but rarely a symbiotic experience–the person consuming the finished product should not have to be working harder than the artist to like it. Experimental, acoustic soundscapes are a bonne idée in theory, but monotonous singing and the blatant disregard for any sort of discernable melody simply do not belong in any kind of music, “ethnic” or not. Keep trying, Woelv, hopefully there’s an audience for you somewhere.
–Ryan M. McLaughlin