Boomkatalog One [Enhanced]

Amazon.com
The brother and sister duo Boomkat may use a well-worn formula, but avoid any cookie-cutter sameness on their debut. Credit goes to solid songwriting and the distinctive voice of lead singer/actress Taryn Manning. As Nikka Costa and others have discovered, smooth, contemporary pop mixes well with urban soul, but Taryn and brother Kellin translate the combination into a swankier, more modern sound. Even ballads that should come off like watered-down trip-hop are saved by colorful beats and Taryn's coquettishly playful lyrics. Featuring her voice so prominently does backfire occasionally, like when it gets lost amid cross rhythms and melodies on "Look At All the People." Her cadence is also reminiscent of Macy Gray, though she's not that good. Taken on its own terms, however, Boomkatalog.one is an impressive debut, filled with sass and a refreshing lack of vanity. --Matthew Cooke

Boomkatalog One,Boomkat,Dreamworks,Adult Alternative Pop/Rock,Dance-Pop,Pop,Popular Music,Rock,Rock/Pop

Average customer rating:

ick
underrated
Funky and Fresh Debut Album
Drum Machine Music - heard it a million times
Boom Baby

Boomkatalog One
Boomkat
Manufacturer: Dreamworks
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Falling Uphill
The Wreckoning
Popstars
The Day Has Come
Flyleaf

ASIN: B00008GQVV
Release Date: 2003-04-08

Tracks:

Yo!Verture
The Wreckoning
Now Understand This
Wastin' My Time
Move On
B4 It's 2 L8
Know Me
DayDreamin'
Crazylove
Look At All The People
Bein' Bad
What U Do 2 Me
Answers
Left Side/Right Side

Amazon.com

The brother and sister duo Boomkat may use a well-worn formula, but avoid any cookie-cutter sameness on their debut. Credit goes to solid songwriting and the distinctive voice of lead singer/actress Taryn Manning. As Nikka Costa and others have discovered, smooth, contemporary pop mixes well with urban soul, but Taryn and brother Kellin translate the combination into a swankier, more modern sound. Even ballads that should come off like watered-down trip-hop are saved by colorful beats and Taryn's coquettishly playful lyrics. Featuring her voice so prominently does backfire occasionally, like when it gets lost amid cross rhythms and melodies on "Look At All the People." Her cadence is also reminiscent of Macy Gray, though she's not that good. Taken on its own terms, however, Boomkatalog.one is an impressive debut, filled with sass and a refreshing lack of vanity. --Matthew Cooke

Customer Reviews:

ick.......2007-05-16

What is this mess? She can't sing at all. She should stick to acting.

underrated.......2007-01-03

i think this album and the band itself are very underrated. i love the songs and i love taryn's voice. i think they have a style all their own and its not like all the other stuff you hear on the radio nowadays (probably why they arent as big). i would recommend this album to anybody that can appreciate pop music.

Funky and Fresh Debut Album.......2005-03-13

I was reading a magazine article one day about Taryn Manning and I discovered the fact that she was a singer. I knew she was an actress, appearing in 'Crossroads' with Britney Spears, '8 Mile' with Eminem, and 'Crazy/Beautiful' with Kirsten Dunst, but had no idea she had ventured into music as well. I became intrigued and purchased 'Boomkatalog.One'. Boomkat is a duo made up of Taryn and her brother, Kellin, and they don't fail to impress. This is a fun and funky debut, with awesome vocals and hot beats to back them up.

The album opens with 'Yo!Verture'. It a provides a strong introduction to the album and the brother-sister duo as a whole. The beats are fun, but also mysterious at the same time. Especially during the portion of the song where the two dedicate the album to their deceased father. After that it begins to speed up slightly with a kind of air-y feel. Taryn's vocals sound great. Then the track merges seamlessly into the upbeat 'The Wreckoning'. This was the first single from 'Boomkatalog.One', and with good reason. Taryn's vocals sound amazing, strong and drawn out in all the right places. I really like the lyrics. They're simple, nothing too spectacular, but they're full of power. After about two minutes, the song slows down for some leisured lyrics with intense emotion. There is also some bitter laughing from Taryn, before the track speeds up again to finish with a bang.

'Now Understand This' really introduces listeners to Taryn. It starts out really fun and energetic, and reminds me of classic TLC. Throughout it she makes use of Janet Jackson lyrics, twisting them around to suit herself, singing "My name is Taryn/Call me Miss Manning if you're nasty". However, my favourite lyrics from this song would actually be "Well I got kat class/And I got kat style/ I keep my nails sharp with my boomkat nail file". After a minute and 55 seconds, Taryn yells "Stop!" and the music almost ceases completely. However, it speeds up again slowly while Taryn sings some "la-la"s. The album slows down quite significantly with 'Wastin' My Time'. It's a ballad, and it sounds amazing. Taryn's vocals sound poignant and innocent, resulting in a haunting performance which leaves listeners with chills running down their spines. The lyrics are extremely simple, but that actually adds to the purity and beauty of the track.

'Move On' is probably the weakest song off of 'Boomkatalog.One'. It's a mid-tempo track with mediocre lyrics, and an average beat. There's nothing really interesting or moving to listen to, it's basically just filler. It does speed up after about two minutes and 20 seconds, but it's nothing spectacular and it's not enough to save the song from being average. 'B4 It's 2 L8' is a great track. Ignore the ridiculous use of numbers in the title, because the song actually has a strong message. It opens with the lyrics "I won't break/I might bend, but I won't break", then continues on before hitting the chorus, which has a sweet, uplifting tone to it. The second verse opens with strong lyrics again "I will try/I might lose, but I will try/'Cause at least I said I did it". Oddly enough, the chorus is actually the weakest part of this track. The verses are stronger both musically and lyrically.

The seventh track, 'Know Me', is a funky, upbeat song. Taryn is saying that it's important to her that a lover knows who she is, inside and out. She also states that she won't allow any guy to ruin what she's worked for so hard for. This track has an awesome beat, and I'm sure listeners won't be able to resist dancing along in their seats. 'Daydreamin'' reflects upon Taryn and Kellin's childhood. It's not quite a ballad, but not quite mid-tempo either. I really like the vocals on this one, very rough and sweet simultaneously. Things are reflected upon (such as "ice cream nights" and "road trips") and wanting to go back to before bills needed to be paid is also addressed.

'Crazylove' is the first song Kellin contributes vocals to, and his and Taryn's voices sound great together. Many people consider this the best song on 'Boomkatalog.One', but I disagree, even though I do think it's good. It's a cute song about appreciating everything in one's life. This is an upbeat, danceable track with fresh beats, and sweet lyrics. 'Look At All The People' begins sounding dark and mysterious, though fast at the same time. Taryn's vocals are haunting, especially on the chorus, which is spectacular. This is definitely a standout track, and one of my personal favourites. It's completely unique and stands apart from all the other songs on the album. About halfway through the music slows down and children can be heard chanting in the distance before it speeds up again. Though it won't get stuck in your head, this is a hard track to forget about.

'Bein' Bad' is a laid back, mid-tempo track. It starts out smoothly with a very calm feel. It's about hanging out with friends, letting off steam, and having fun. After about two minutes and twenty seconds, the beat changes and really speeds up, then Kellin jumps in for a quick verse, before Taryn takes over again to finish the track. 'What U Do 2 Me' is one of the best tracks on the album. This is a duet, and it's amazing. Taryn and Kellin's voices blend so perfectly together. They're both so unique, different, and recognizable. The hook is insanely catchy and I'd venture a guess in saying it's almost impossible not to get it stuck in your head, whether you want to or not. There are some lines from the Temptations which actually (surprisingly enough) blend perfectly into the song.

'Answers' addresses an ex-lover who asked what had happened to end the relationship. I really like the lyrics "What's your opinion on this break-up/And how's the view from your side of the story/So I don't gotta guess no more". This is a slow track, and Taryn's vocals are extremely powerful and they sound fantastic. This is a great song. 'Left Side/Right Side' is an amazing track, definitely one of the best on the album. It deals with regrets, longing, and differences between people, and is quite sad. It's a clap-along sort of anthem with great vocals and a simple beat. I find this to be a very inspiring, beautiful track, and a perfect choice for the last song on the album.

I'd recommend checking this album out if you're into pop music. I know that it's not for everyone, so I recommend that you listen to 'Boomkatalog.One' before you purchase it. It's definitely not an outstanding album, but it's a strong effort, and hopefully Boomkat will come out with another release that will be even better. Taryn and Kellin do have talent and definite potential, I know I'll be awaiting what they come up with next.

THE FINAL VERDICT: 80%

Drum Machine Music - heard it a million times.......2005-01-02

I see nothing new or innovative with this band. The lead singer Taryn appears to be trying to mimic the black sound. There is absolutely nothing new or original in any of the songs on this CD. There doesn't appear to be any REAL instruments being played just prefabricated drum\synth music. I'd give it zero stars if I could.

Boom Baby.......2004-10-15

I was waltzin around FYE one day, and saw the cover of this CD. I decided to scan it and listen to it, and I was not disappointed. After bringing it home and popping it in, I found myself on cloud 8. One cloud away from cloud 9. It COULD be better, but I love it for what it is.

The tracks to pay attention to:

Yo!Verture - This song is an intro and thanks in one, but they showcase their musical ability with style and finesse and it is spectacular. Taryn's vocals and Kellen's musical aptitude is very apparent.

The Wreckoning - Ever hate someone so much you wanted to threaten them with payback that was worth than the actual payback? Here's your song. Taryn goes through a range of emotions but seems to end back up at the same point she started from...digging right into your heart.

Right Side/Left Side - Slow and poignant. This song is simply marvelous. Taryn handles the quieter, slower, more emotional song with superb ability. This one could be used at a tearjerking moment in a movie to perfection.

All in all, despite a few trite and overused themes, this album is an amazing debut and well worth your time and money.

Average customer rating:

Fun!

Boomkatalog.One
Boomkat
Manufacturer: Universal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00008W3VV
Release Date: 2003-04-14

Tracks:

Yo!verture
Wreckoning
Now Understand This
Wastin' My Time
Move On
B4 It's 2 L8
Know Me
Daydreamin'
Crazylove
Look at All the People
Bein' Bad
What U Do 2 Me
Answers
Left Side/Right Side

Album Details

Boomkat Are Brother/Sister Duo Kellin and Taryn Manning. Taryn was Featured in the Film "8 Mile" Playing Eminem's Ex-girlfriend and She Co-starrted with Britney Spears in "Crossoroads". "Boomkat" is a Blend of Multi-layered Beats and Samples Mixed Up with Pop, Soul and Electronica. The Album Includes a Bonus Mix of "The Wreckoning" and an Eight Minute CD-ROM Film Piece.

Customer Reviews:

Fun!.......2003-04-28

I typically listen to rock music. Boomkat definitely comes across as a little more poppy than my taste. However, they are extremely easy to listen to. The bro-sis duo have chemistry having grown up together. I listened to the CD 3 times today (just bought it) and it made housecleaning a cinch! It plays very well as one of those soundtracks of our lives (another good band) CDs you just have to have. And just in time for spring and summer too!