Wrong way on a one-way street

Musically, Ozornatli is excellent. Another great track is "Cuando Ozomatli***** They can competently blend sever- Canto," a Spanish anthem in 6/8 al genres of music. They also time. Sadly, there aren't many Street Signs blend languages; half the album is more good songs. sung in English, half in Spanish. Ozomatli is a talented band. eclectic The problem with Street Signs is However, the band needs to learn that the genres that arc blended a lesson in restraint. Sometimes, Ryan Griffin should not be blended. "Saturday mixing different genres of music staff writer Night" sound<; like Crazy Town from can produce exciting results, Tijuana. "Love and Hope" sounds expanding the boundaries of Latin hip-hop, jazzy salsa, mexi- like an uplifting, spiritual Ricky music to uncharted territories. can . Los Angele band Martin song. Sounds enticing? Other times, it can come off a<; Ozomatli tries to be all things to That's what I thought. forced. Most of Street Signs docs all people on its latest release, After the first 10 tracks, things not hit the mark. Street Signs. Unfortunately, they get better. "Dona I abelle" is a forget to be good. piano instrumental that sounds like Bottom Line: Do Not Enter; Okay, I'm being a little harsh. George Gershwin composed it. Street Signs isn't worth your time. Val Emmich is too slow to flow guitar and vocal ability, but he lacks need for personal privacy in his Val** Emmich*** substance and songwriting talent. music, the lyrics arc not appealing or While Emmich's unique style is noteworthy. Rather, this seems to be Slow Down Kid admittedly one of the highlights of a CD about a kid in his mid-twenties Red Ink/Epic Records singer-songwriter the record, because he moves away who really loves to rhyme and hitch from the John Mayer type and ahout the problems in his life. Jennifer Near deserves credit for being edgy and In a world filled with lyrical staff writer real, it just doesn't cut it enough to geniuses, Emmich cannot compete. qualify as good music. 1 he immaturity of bnmich 's record Somewhere along the way to my The first track of the 'D, "Medical leaves something else to h · desired, college education, I learned good Display," contains lyrics such as, and there arc c:c11ainly larger issues poetry and songwriting required a "Nothing you say/Matters much in society that other more talented much larger talent than the ahility to today/ I just want to sec you/ Mayhc artists arc hitting on. rhyme and complain. Val Emmich. someday/ Many miles away/ I'll he however, missed this grade chool ready to release you/ Someday I Bottom line: '/11e 1:11iwr and 1·oca/.\· le son. may/ I may someday release you." art•n 't bad, bllt Val Emmich nel'd.\' to On his major label debut, Slow While Emmich is dealing with inter- either hire a songwriter or l?l't Down Kid, Emmich shows decent esting issues such a. death and the inspired. lillllil61il

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