PunchBook

Grade - C+

Ms. Naim’s debut album is a velvety mix of easy flowing feel good songs that most women around the world will really like. I’m not generalizing, but it’s not an album that most dudes are going to be cranking up in their cars or on their iPods. As my musical tastes branch out from rock and metal into everything else, I can really appreciate this album in the context of the genre. For me to go from Tool and Rage to Yael Naim is a ginormous step – comparing her work to music that blows the roof off the place is really hard to do.

(If someone would like to contribute to PunchBook to cover these types of albums please let me know. Otherwise, you’re all stuck with my best shot)

I initially downloaded this album because my wife and I were attracted to this the song New Soul; it’s that catchy little number from the new Mac Book Air commercial. If you haven’t heard it (because you don’t have a TV), I highly suggest downloading it. The playful melody paired with Naim’s mellow voice makes for a fantastic gem that stays in your head all day long.

The other songs I was attracted to were Paris and Toxic. Paris is sung in Hebrew, which I do not understand but I am 100% intrigued by the tone Naim sings about her hometown. This is one of many songs she sings in Hebrew on her self titled album. Toxic is an interesting song, it carries the same slow rhythm that accompanies the rest of the tracks on the album. However, Naim sings with a little more passion and sounds like a sweeter version of Alicia Keys.

Like I mentioned earlier, this album is not really my style but there were a few songs that I enjoyed.