[.ca] Songs From The Front Porch

Songs From The Front Porch:
Basically this CD is fantastic. Great rythm. Great melodies and such inspiring lyircs. This is for anyone who needs music that is sincere and honest. As well, is musically superb. If you dig hip-hop, regaee and acoustics, you'll dig this album. There is a hint of Marley, Ben Harper, and many other great artist. Great CD, we need this...two thumbs way up!

Not widely known, but Franti deserves a listen:
I found out about Michael Franti while shopping in a little store in one of the trendy parts of my home town. I was impressed by the acoustic guitar and vocals. I bought this CD recently and I am hooked on Franti's sound. For anyone who likes fusion - a little rock, a little reggae, a little salsa and a lot of meaningful and thought provoking lyrics - Franti is the man.

Michael Franti - Songs from the Front Porch:
This is truly a beautiful collection of acoustic songs that have been taken from a number of different Michael Franti and Spearhead albums. The songs have been striped back to a simple acoustic strum and drumbeat, accompanied at different times by hand claps, piano, and flute. Opening with "Yes I Will", a catchy and smooth flowing song that builds to a near gospel ending, the album starts with one of the best songs. "Closer to the Sky" is purely a slow acoustic ballad, whilst track 3 "Firefly" has a toe tapping piano and percussive beat which you cant help but move to. "Love'll set Me Free" is another slower tempo song with an acoustic guitar and flute accompanying it. "Love Invincible" - which is taken of Franti's new spearhead album "Everyone Deserves Music" - is brilliant as it ups the pace again and has an irresistible congo rhythm underlying the quick guitar strumming and Wurlitzer. On the next track "Anybody Seen My Mind" Franti once again slows the pace. This leads us into the last 4 songs on the album that are perfect. "Sometimes" starts to bring in a more hip hop style of singing rather than the more soulful style that Franti has used on the earlier songs. This style is continued on the final three songs with track 8 "Stay Human" being my personal favourite on the album. The finger picking on the acoustic tries to make you float away whilst Franti's "boom bab" lyrics and other oral percussion sounds keep you stuck there listening. Franti also makes the song more and more urgent as he increases his voice and pace. "Oh My God" brings on some real "spoken" lyrics and Franti steps up his political theme too, before once again getting more urgent. Track 10, is the funky closer "Ganja Babe" where Franti exercises his deep smooth soulful singing and steers the topic down a lighter path, accompanied by some damn catchy whistling. Overall this album is well worth a purchase as it is a sweet melding of both a hip-hop flavour and a lighter acoustic "no frills" approach. With some interesting lyrical topics, sweet melodies, hand claps and a pop/hip-hop/soulful voice over the top it is truly songs for the front porch. 5 stars

Lyrical Man Rocks!!!:
This album, refered to as an "acoustic collection", contains songs that can also be found on other Franti & Spearhead cds. However, I'd have to say this one is my favorite. Free of fancy overdubs and superfluous instrumentation--it's Franti's extraordinary talent that carries this cd. From the rockin' entrance of "Yes I Will", to the sly "Ganja Babe", every tune is fresh, unique and captivating. Michael Franti's eclectic style crosses genres and generations, and is a welcome relief from the generic "mu$ic" so widely marketed these days. This music is real.

• Yes I Will
• Closer to the Sky
• Firefly
• Love'll Set Me Free
• Love Invincible
• Anybody Seen My Mind
• Sometimes
• Stay Human
• Oh My God
• Ganja Babe