This CD is great. Way better then any other music out there!

In today's music industry, fueled heavily by recycled beats, dime-a-dozen vocals, unoriginal lyrics, and reality TV, a few shining artists have managed to break the mold and bring what's left of classic rock to the forefront, even for only a few minutes at a time. KT Tunstall is one of them. Johanna Stahley may very well be the next. Her first album is a fun, witty and uniquely well-crafted collection of songs. I say "fun" because of the contagious melody and self-confident vibes of her funky lead-off "I Can" and the cheerfully spunky nature of "Nothing I Would Change." I say "witty" because of "Monday Morning," which takes an optimistic and ambitious approach to the typically dreaded time of the week, and "The Bartender Song," a surprisingly candid glimpse into what can only be described as a "big-girl crush." I say "uniquely well-crafted" because of songs like "Don't Love you" and "Misery," whose lyrics have the potential to harbor a depressing sort of vibe, but like a true soul artist, Johanna sings them with a sort of honesty and expression that remind one of Pat Benetar, with essence of Sheryl Crow. The credit goes to Johanna's optimism and dedication to making "kick-ass soul rock," which she accomplishes beautifully. Credit must be given also to her producers at Yellopop Productions, who bring an eclectic drive to each piece, making the CD as a whole sound wonderfully slick, but never overproduced in a cookie-cutter manner. Even on the album's slower moments, such as the sweet and brooding "Right Here," the energy never drags. In fact, "energetic" is the one word that might be used to describe this album as a whole. Apparently, someone MTV came to their senses and played two of Johanna's songs on "Laguna Beach." Now if only that were the kind of music that dominated MTV as a whole...then we'd be in business. Lucky for us listeners, it seems like Johanna's up to the challenge.

Every song on this CD strummed its way into my soul. It lifted me up and straightened me out. I listen to it everyday, every night, and every time in between. If music can tame a wild beast, then this music turned me into a baby, content in its mothers arms.

Johanna is the reason you search indy music. She understands, and writes about it.