ARTIST - Andrew Lansangan (Andor)

CD - MIXED STATES

RELEASE DATE - SPRING 2008

SOUNDS LIKE - Nick Cave, Suzanne Vega

DEFINING MOMENTS - Damn your Dead, Love Never Happens, Silence, Nameless Tune, Everyone Hates Everything

STRENGTH - Originality, Songwriting, Consistency

WEAKNESS - Voice 

KATAVI RATING – 6 out of 7 masks.

 

If  Andrew Lansangan (Andor) was a painter he would use broad strokes. He would paint you a picture that was disturbing, yet peppered with hope. It would be real, honest and powerful. It would also deserve you full undivided attention. Chicago artist, Andor paints us a musical mosaic on Mixed States that is intriguing as much as it is original. I give Andor high marks on his writing virtuoso and not being afraid of being original. Unlike other dark artists out there like Marylyn Manson who try so hard to convince you they belong in a rubber room, Andor just refuses to put forth the effort. The lyrics seem very straightforward but make no bones about it they are extremely thought provoking and painfully real. It took courage, skill and deep honesty to write this music. Somewhere between Mosh Pit Puke and a yearning to be loved is where you’ll find Andor. There is dark pain and lamentation lingering everywhere, but you'll notice bright pockets of hope that shine through as well. This CD is dark, but not in an overcompensating way either. This is a rare find these days as everyone out there is so over the top about how messed up they are. To those people I say "gimme a break", to Andor I say "dude get some therapy, but wait until after the next CD." The CD kicks off with 2 very dark songs, "Son of Pills", and "Damn your Dead." You will notice that as the CD progresses the messages become more and more positive. There are some real gems on this CD." Everyone Hates Everything" and "Foxes" are extremely catchy pieces. I especially like the drum finale to Nameless Tune. But the defining moment of this CD for me comes during my favorite song Silence “Through the darkness of the night I feel you by my side when I am crazy.” Whoa - powerful stuff. Give this CD a wide berth, and the Suicide Hotline number. I absolutely love and respect Andor. I expect a psychologist would have a field day with this music.

The only thing that does not transcends Andor from other artists out there is his voice. You may not know it but Sex Appeal plays a huge part in an artists success, and the voice timber is what subconsciously seduces listeners into your fan base. Though Andor's baritone works, it's nothing really very special. At times his voice and piano sound way to sinister sounding, and his vocal range keeps reminding me of David Bowie. Over time his predictable vibrato takes a major toll on you. He should get rid of it altogether and end his phrasing with flat notes. If Andor had more sex appeal via a sugar coated voice, like say a Michael Hutchense (INXS), he would no doubt be a megastar. Though I might add visually Andor is quite appealing, and has a real solid cutting edge look to him. I only hope his body can hold up for another decade. Andor also needs to put more close up facial images in himself in his CD sleeves. When I went to his My Space page this sealed the deal for me as a listener as I got a clearer understanding of who he was as an artist. Mixed States may also be too powerful for some listeners out there, but it's strong suit is it's originality and brilliant songwriting craft which refuses to be pinned down quickly by anyone. The true meanings of these songs are buried deep beneath the surface. They keep you guessing, and require alot of effort to fully comprehend. That's the trademark of brilliant songwriting.

I really admire artists out there who are themselves and just let the chips fall where they may. Praise goes out to those artists that can show us something real and genuine beneath their veil of vanity. Andor is one of those artists. Be advised you may not want to listen to Mixed States on rainy days, or on that day you get fired. But if you like melancholy music that provides a very real assessment of the human condition then you should jump into this CD head first.

My overall rating – 6 out of 7 masks.
 

Cyrus Rhodes - 3/19/09

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