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MP3 Athena Reich - Stranger Things Have Happened
12 MP3 Songs
POP: Quirky, FOLK: like Ani
Details:
ABOUT THE CD
"Stranger Things Have Happened" is Athena''s 3rd release and is her quirkiest, liveliest, and wildest CD to date. Featuring a full band of amazing players from Montreal (including internationally renowned concert pianist Francine Kay) and gorgeous string and horn arrangements by Greg Pliska. (Greg has arranged for Carly Simon, Karen Elson, Hem and James Iha of the Smashing Pumpkins). Folk, punk, ska, pop and cabaret combine with exceptional musicianship, creativity and energy. Athena''s lyrics are as poignant and radical as ever and her voice is as untamed, vituosic and emotionally expressive as her live shows.
ABOUT ATHENA
Athena Reich is an anarcho-feminist cabaret-punk pop star. Her music speaks boldly about issues of violence, sexuality and peace. She combines a chilling 4-octave range voice with gorgeous piano and guitar arrangements. Think Aimee Mann, Diamanda Galas, Ani DiFranco, Laurie Anderson and Tori Amos with a theatrical twist. Athena tours constantly across North America, and has opened for Sarah McLauchlan and Jim Carrey. She is author and star of "Athena Under Attack" (a one-act rock opera about 9/11, cycles of abuse & peace) that has been produced by various theaters and festivals across the continent. Most recently, Athena released her 3rd CD, "Stranger Things Have Happened" which features a full band with quirky string and horn arrangements. She has been featured in the Montreal Gazette, She Magazine, GO NYC, Big Breakfast TV and more. And, she just got a national distribution deal with Goldenrod music! Athena is constantly pushing boundaries, mocking taboo, and spitting truth.
REVIEWS
"Pop in an Athena Reich disc, and expect talent, originality, a thought-provoking jolt here and there and possibly a touch of offense sprinkled in for good measure...Her latest disc, Stranger Things Have Happened, mirrors (an) unabashed approach to tackling life. There''s a sonic slice of everything, from ska, folk, pop, punk and cabaret woven into tunes from the delicate insight of Blue Eyed String of Pearls and the quirky, sweet-natured Back to Canada to the raging, profanity-laced Contra*dick*tions and the downright odd Limbs. Songwriting strengths can''t be denied. Reich''s mastery of blending genres is remarkable, as is her knack of pouring the right amount of expression into her vocal performance. Her voice matches the stylistic fluctuations from elegant and polished to gritty and unrestrained. Witness the sheer vocal gymnastics she wields in Merry Go Round... Listeners may wince at some of what Reich offers up, but her refusal to let her creativity know boundaries - of any kind - will attract more." - Red Deer Express
"Musical contortionist and self-described "anarcho-feminist and cabaret-punk pop star," Athena Reich serves up a delightful buffet of bravado and bliss on Stranger Things Have Happened. Theatrical and thrilling, Reich hams it up like a natural born drama queen, but knows how to keep it in check, as is clear from opening track "The Ballad of Chicken Shower." Reich also has a rough and tumble rocker persona which she whips out on "Contra*Dick*Tions" and "Anarchy." In terms of sheer musical variety and enthusiastic performance, Reich rules." - Baltimore OUTloud
"There are a couple of things that make Athena Reich stand out among the wasteland of today''s music industry. Those are her look, the structure and content of the songs on this album, and her stunningly impressive voice. Her voice is really what makes the difference between a four ranking and a perfect five ranking on our system. The album itself (Stranger Things Have Happened) is very good. It has the balance of a psychiatric ward as it flows from emotional music to an insane outburst, to some disturbingly funny lyrics, back to emotional music. The album can best be described as a Broadway musical on acid...We here at https://www.tradebit.com give the album a 5/5 and can''t wait to hear the next album." https://www.tradebit.com
"Athena Reich is an original artist. Her style is hard to pin down with one label, but that''s just fine. On her record we get sensitive ballads, angry punk songs and cabaret pearls. Her voice and approach is refreshingly unique...This album is a striking piece of work." - Luna Kafe, Sweden
"This woman is odd...and I mean that in the best way possible. I mean, with a song title like "The Ballad of Chicken Shower" I guess you don''t need me to tell you that. That song is a cute little waltz that actually includes some squawking. Her voice is as unique as her song stylings. It''s perfect for the songs, which range from pop to punk to ballads. Many with a cabaret-ish feel." - Collected Sounds Rea
"Stranger Things Have Happened is Reich''s quirkiest, liveliest, and most fully integrated project to date. Combining folk, punk, ska, pop, and cabaret, Reich intertwines her exceptional musicianship into gorgeous and innovative melodies." Outsmart Magazine
PLAYERS
Athena Reich: vocals, guitar (tracks 4 & 11)
Greg Pliska: piano
Cordell Hennebury: guitar
Jean Cyr: bass
John Fraboni: drums
Francine Kay: piano (track 7)
Tim Halliday: cello
Madeleine Messier: Violin
Sean Craig: sax
Dave Mossing: trumpet
Bruce Pepper: trombone
CREDITS
Produced by Athena Reich and Greg Pliska.
String and Horn arrangements by Greg Pliska.
Recorded by Paul Johnston at PJ Studios and Hendrick Hassert Studios in Montreal.
Vocals recorded by Mere and Touch at Running Water Lab in Stamford, CT.
Vocals edited by Denise Barbarita in New York.
Piano for "I am Just a Hole" recorded at Manhattan Beach Recording in New York.
Mixed by Gary Maurer at Stratosphere Studios in New York.
Mastered by Rick Rowe at Media Lab in New York.
Manufactured at https://www.tradebit.com.
CD design by https://www.tradebit.com
Photography by Denise Grant, Jesse Harold, https://www.tradebit.com, and Athena Reich.
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