CD Review: "The Ethnographers" (self-titled)

Easy on the ears, with catchy tempo, good rhythm and the pleasant vocal talent of ECU student Megan Kennedy, the self-titled album by The Ethnographers is now available.

Hailing from Greenville, N.C., this six-person independent rock band is comprised solely of ECU students and alumni, including two vocalists, two guitarists, one drummer and one keyboardist.

"The Ethnographers" center around the themes of young love, adolescent imagination and trust issues involving significant others. Tying all these ideas together is an underlying coming-of-age vibe.

From the introductory track on the album, the listener is immediately brought into the realm of youth.

Kennedy whispers, "Hey, are you awake? I'm having trouble sleeping… will you tell me a story?"

The following song on the album speaks from a childlike point of view as well. The lyrics of "Fine and Dandelions" for instance say: "In the sky eating cotton candy clouds and I'm glad you're with me." This particular song seems to be a struggle between childhood innocence and young adult romance. After the clouds, the song shifts into adult relationships with the words, "Tangled up in sheets and I'm glad you're with me." Directly after being in bed, the listener is catapulted back to childhood again with: "In a field picking dandelions… and I'm glad you're with me."

A girl (voiced by Kennedy) laments over a new lover in the song "I Was Young Once." Again displaying the desire to be young and carefree with the troublesome feelings of coming into adulthood she says, "I want you. I'm scared, too."

The style and sound of Kennedy's singing is similar to Dolores O'Riordan of The Cranberries.

Like O'Riordan, Kennedy is able to combine her strong, yet soothing voice with fast-paced music that is both upbeat and emotional.

Kennedy, backed by her instrumental band mates, makes up an eclectic group of musicians whose talent will make listening to their songs an enjoyable experience. Always on key, on beat and well played, this album will delight those listeners who have a keen musical ear and even those who don't.

Although the songs of The Ethnographers compilation do not imply studies of foreign culture, the origin of the band holds a special meaning to the group's members.

"An ethnographer is someone who studies different cultures," said Kennedy. "Our music is like a mish mosh of different genres combined into one."

The Ethnographers performed last Thursday at Lucky's on Fifth Street in Greenville where copies of the album were sold.

For more information on the band or to purchase a copy of their CD, contact The Ethnographers online at www.Myspace.com/theethnographers.