Melissa Axel
Country of origin:
U.S.
Type of music generally:
Ethereal, alternative pop with ambient moments.
Status:
Most recent release, Love . Humanity . Metamorphosis (2011)
See also:
Melissa Axel's site
Comparisons:
Fiona Apple, Sarah McLachlan
Covers/own material:
Own
General comments:
Melissa Axel's music is lovely and has a lot of substance. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Recommended first album:
Free Time ep is her debut
Recordings:
- Free Time ep (2003)
- Transition (EP, 2009)
- Love . Humanity . Metamorphosis (2011)
Free Time ep
Release info:
2003—self-released
Availability:
See website for availability
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Melissa Axel—piano, vocals, synth
Comments:
Melissa Axel has a sweet voice and an eclectic approach to songwriting. This ep has four vocal tracks that are all strong and six instrumentals. I prefer the tracks with words, but that's more a personal preference than any real criticism. Those songs are still intriguingly made. This is a wonderful record. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Transition (EP)
Release info:
2009—self-released
Availability:
See Melissa Axel's site
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Melissa Axell—vocals, piano
Guest artists:
Kailin Yong—violins (1,2,3), string arrangement (3)
Ryan Drickey—cellos (3)
Produced by:
Melissa Axel; Nick Seley (5)
Comments:
It's been a while since Melissa Axel's last ep, but her style is still recognizable and this new ep is just lovely. This time it's all vocal tracks, which I personally like better than instrumentals so it's all good. "Fall this hard" is a powerful opener with wonderful lyrics about a complex relationship and with superlative piano playing. The title song is equally good, Axel straying close to early Tori Amos in sound and voice. This ep is fabulous and I would love to hear a full length from Axel soon. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Thanks to Anna Maria Stjärnell for work on this entry.
