The Calm Years- Storm, Inc.

Annie Lennox, Janice Joplin, Madonna, Nina Hagen, Grace Slick, Sheryl Crow - Professional, Legend, Entertainer, Icon, Sandpaper and Silk. The common thread with these Ladies of Rock is that if you listen carefully you can hear a little of each of them in The Calm Years. One thing you can definitely hear is the unique individuality and brilliant voice of Storm Large. The first song goes a long way towards describing Storm - "It was not my scene to be Homecoming Queen - My mind is dirty - everything about me just about screams - I am the anti-debutante". For those of us that follow and are fascinated by Storm (there are more than you think), the title says it all - "I Am What I Am (Thank God)" - and we all agree. "Not Alright" is a call to arms for those who may have seen some tough times but will persevere until things get better. "My Brilliant Blonde" is a great sendoff to someone who is not in good standing while "Penetration" is…..well, it kind of speaks for itself. "Beautiful" is an outstanding effort about a girl that got no credit for simply loving life until she succeeded and then everyone wanted a piece of her success. "Jeremiah" is different, "Here We Are" is lyrical sweetness, "Ima Yora" is not and "Ruin Everything" doesn't.

"Dying Town" is old fashioned Rock 'n' Roll storytelling that works. "Girls" is raw and real and should be required listening for every daughter that loved the movie "Thirteen". The piece de resistance is Storm's intriguing, intelligent and irresistible rap "Great Day". With its literal chorus - "It's a great day to be alive and wide awake" - it has the markings of an underground anthem for our troops in Iraq (or whatever is our war of the year). The background work of Kevin Carnes (drums), Shaunna Hall (guitar) and Ubi Whitaker (bass) give a solid substance to the sound. The guitar work of Michael Cavaseno is at times inspiring and always impeccable. However, the real star of this effort is Storm Large. If you are serious about your music and want something different of quality I recommend that you add The Calm Years to your collection. It'll take you to a place you may not have been recently. The more you play it the more you will want to play it. You can get it for a steal from Paige Mann at Gender Nectar Records. Send her an e-mail at paige@gendernectar.com and tell her Snapper Wade sent you.   AW