more like kindred spirits... Patti Smith (Horses), PJ Harvey (Dry), The Pixies (live show), White Stripes (live show), Grace Slick (Monteray Pop), Tori Amos (Tales of a Librarian), The Kills (live show) ...to name a few
Sounds Like
Lyric-rich beat-driven original rock. Strong. Compassionate. Alive.
Susan Weber delivers her art with palpable emotion. Whether live on stage or in recorded form, with a full band or solo, Weber's true grit, bluesy swagger and first-person lyrical insight offers vivid, in the moment narratives and true, present tense clarity. Sounds like a mouthful? Sure is. Grafting vines as disparate as Gordon Downie, Patti Smith and Chrissie Hynde, her candor is what brings Monet's Orbit (also the name of her backing band) front-and-center for the listener.
We've said before that she is a huge local talent and we're not kidding; you know you're in for a treat when she goes straight for the jugular with the leadoff track "Buffalo" -- a finger wag at everything from The Culture of Fear and cult of personality in politics, to the military industrial complex and class warfare in society. It's an awful lot to cram into one song, but given Weber's successfully world-weary delivery, it says a great deal about her. And that's saying nothing of her very capable band and their unique ability to follow her every move.
Any songwriter who can find a way to invoke Agamemnon, Aphrodite, the Pharoahs, Columbine and can roll out a line like She is the child of Gaza stripping Walter Cronkite's paradigm is bound to draw in the listener. And with that voice that tonally suggests Smith in a post-punk flight of empowered reflection? Wow. Powerful Stuff. I don't get the progressive rock sensibility that some critics in town have shouldered her with; but that kick-in-the-breadbasket, tough Midwestern girl with a chip on her shoulder thing? Yes, definitely.
Monet's Orbit is a solid, 11-track effort that sinks and shudders and soars with harrowing spiritual nakedness. Highlights from this set include ""Take Me High," "Painted Moon" and a very direct "Carnival." But the set closer "She is Here" cinches it for this reviewer. Weber rides the rails of feminism with her protagonist's naked power bleeding, heading to a could-be-good, could-be-bad end. She can drown on ritalin/ She can drive a nine inch nail/ She can dream on borrowed time/ She will find her holy grail. Note to Trent Reznor: steer clear of the female subject in this song. The one in "She is Here" is likely to drive you to rhyme "hole" and "soul" yet again.
-- Peter Chakerian, CoolCleveland
CoolCleveland named MONET'S ORBIT a TOP TEN LOCAL ALBUM 2007.
Heyhey Susan, how's it goin! It's been a while since I checked out your space, so just thought I'd drop in, listen to your music and send some love and support your way! Hope everything's going awesome, and please do drop in anytime to say hey, OK. Till next time, keep up the great work!! Warmest regards, ~Nick x
Susan - Long time no nothing!! Are you famous yet and if not what is taking you so long? Checking in to say hi and hope you and the fam have a wonderful Christmas and New Years.
Hi Susan ,just stoppin by to catch some tunes. Sounds great!!! Posted some new tunes-feel free to come by ..Hope all has been well Take Care, & Rock on !! Waddell & Saam
Hi Susan, I hope this finds you and yours thriving on all fronts. Me and my friend Marilyn will be playing the Spider on Sat Oct 25 for the entire evening--maybe you and the boys and others will stop by for a drink and a laugh? Blessings, David
Hi Ms Susan ~ is Wolfe blitzer related to Rod Serling, do you think? And if so, is that Karl Rove standing behind the bar drying glasses? lol keep on keepin' on ~ jim
It was such a blast getting together with you and Walt. Especially the music again, along with the heart warming chit-chat. I really had a wonderful time. I hope you are doing well!
Bonjour, Je vous invite à jeter une oreille dans mon monde, une nouvelle p'tite chanson, "lettre d'adieu", vous y attend :o) Merci de votre attention A bientôt La Fille
Hello, come and listen to a new song, ‘lettre d’adieu’ Regards, La Fille
I SEEM TO BE IN A TORCH SONG SAGA I CAN'T GET OUT OF IT ! LISTEN AND COME HEAR A GROWN MAN CRY!...OOHH STOP THE FRICKING DRAMA! THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LISTEN!