The Ramzi Helewa Sound Experiment
Review: PopJournalism.ca
06/05/07 08:00 Filed in: Reviews
The Ramzi Helewa Sound Experiment, Disjointed
Songs...
REVIEWED BY JASON GLADU, POSTED ON MAY 6, 2007
3.5 stars
After a string of EPs over the past few years, Winnipeg's indie pop-folkster Ramzi Helewa returns with his second full-length release, and from the get-go Disjointed Songs demands your full attention. Opener "No No No No" is full of rich, intoxicating harmonies, complemented by gentle acoustic strums. Before you even have a chance to recuperate from that gem, Helewa hits you with another dose of pop found in quirky rocker "Take it from the Man." The rest of Disjointed follows along the same line as the first two tracks, drifting from acoustic to heavy tracks, but thankfully the record is far from predictable. Helewa's studio savvy adds an extra layer of fun as he embraces lo-fi keyboards, off-key drum machine beats, and inventive sing-along arrangements. My only complaint is that at 16 tracks the record is way too long for its own good — Helewa could of cut it down to 10 and it would have been a perfect effort. Besides that little quip, Helewa's disjointed pop songs are a welcome addition to an already booming scene of local talent. (Independent) Read More...
REVIEWED BY JASON GLADU, POSTED ON MAY 6, 2007
3.5 stars
After a string of EPs over the past few years, Winnipeg's indie pop-folkster Ramzi Helewa returns with his second full-length release, and from the get-go Disjointed Songs demands your full attention. Opener "No No No No" is full of rich, intoxicating harmonies, complemented by gentle acoustic strums. Before you even have a chance to recuperate from that gem, Helewa hits you with another dose of pop found in quirky rocker "Take it from the Man." The rest of Disjointed follows along the same line as the first two tracks, drifting from acoustic to heavy tracks, but thankfully the record is far from predictable. Helewa's studio savvy adds an extra layer of fun as he embraces lo-fi keyboards, off-key drum machine beats, and inventive sing-along arrangements. My only complaint is that at 16 tracks the record is way too long for its own good — Helewa could of cut it down to 10 and it would have been a perfect effort. Besides that little quip, Helewa's disjointed pop songs are a welcome addition to an already booming scene of local talent. (Independent) Read More...
Review: The Manitoban
23/03/07 08:00 Filed in: Reviews
The Ramzi Helewa Sound Experiment, Disjointed
Songs...
REVIEWED BY CORY ANDERSON, POSTED ON MARCH 21, 2007
4.5 stars
At last, an album filled with songs written, performed and sung by an extremely talented local artist: Ramzi Helewa. Initially, the mellow folk-rock sound of Disjointed Songs . . . is reminiscent of the Elected with lyrics written in a style not unlike Rhett Miller. The sweet and gentle melodic sounds of opener “No No No No” are followed by a song with a lot more flair and attitude, “Take it From the Man.” The solo project showcases Helewa’s thoughtful and passionate voice, backed by his acoustic guitar and ukulele. He’s also responsible for the album’s bass, keyboards, programming, and various sound effects. The soft and gentle notes played when his fingers touch the keyboard on “No No No No” complement his voice exceptionally well and continue to do so throughout the album.
Disjointed Songs . . . provides the perfect soundtrack for a lazy summer afternoon spent lying on the beach under the sizzling hot sun with a cool gentle breeze. The track “Sun Could Rise” is the most noteworthy for this quality. This is one of the best characteristics of the album: it’s capable of invoking the daydreamer in all of us. Helewa has a great sense of rhythm and pacing with his guitar, evident on tracks like the more upbeat “Sky Could Fall” and the leisurely “A Thousand Miles.” The latter track is about irrecoverable aspirations, forgotten intentions, and Helewa’s struggle to strive for hope after a lost relationship. The Ramzi Helewa Sound Experiment has provided us with an outstanding, thought-provoking album that everyone should listen to at least once in their lives. Read More...
REVIEWED BY CORY ANDERSON, POSTED ON MARCH 21, 2007
4.5 stars
At last, an album filled with songs written, performed and sung by an extremely talented local artist: Ramzi Helewa. Initially, the mellow folk-rock sound of Disjointed Songs . . . is reminiscent of the Elected with lyrics written in a style not unlike Rhett Miller. The sweet and gentle melodic sounds of opener “No No No No” are followed by a song with a lot more flair and attitude, “Take it From the Man.” The solo project showcases Helewa’s thoughtful and passionate voice, backed by his acoustic guitar and ukulele. He’s also responsible for the album’s bass, keyboards, programming, and various sound effects. The soft and gentle notes played when his fingers touch the keyboard on “No No No No” complement his voice exceptionally well and continue to do so throughout the album.
Disjointed Songs . . . provides the perfect soundtrack for a lazy summer afternoon spent lying on the beach under the sizzling hot sun with a cool gentle breeze. The track “Sun Could Rise” is the most noteworthy for this quality. This is one of the best characteristics of the album: it’s capable of invoking the daydreamer in all of us. Helewa has a great sense of rhythm and pacing with his guitar, evident on tracks like the more upbeat “Sky Could Fall” and the leisurely “A Thousand Miles.” The latter track is about irrecoverable aspirations, forgotten intentions, and Helewa’s struggle to strive for hope after a lost relationship. The Ramzi Helewa Sound Experiment has provided us with an outstanding, thought-provoking album that everyone should listen to at least once in their lives. Read More...