Serpent Tales & Nightingales | Music

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Jennifer Grassman
Serpent Tales & Nightingales (independent)
Released March 2010
Mark Moring

Comments (21)

Style: Prog rock/operatic piano pop; compare to Tori Amos, Evanescence, Fiona Apple

Top tracks: "The Search," "The Haunting," "The Mad Mad March Hare Acoustic Exposition"

One of the more intriguing albums I've heard in a while, Grassman's 58-minute opus is a unique mix of bombastic prog rock, piano pop, and opera. The versatile Texan says she drew on 1930s influences such as Duke Ellington, Dinah Washington, and Frank Sinatra to write these songs, which she hopes will encourage listeners through the recession as those artists did during the Great Depression. A concept album laden with classical and theatrical flourishes, Serpent Tales progresses through songs of confusion and sadness ultimately arriving at joy and peace.

Comments (21)

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Mark Grassman

May 14, 2010 3:18pm

I'm happy to see Jennifer Grassman getting recognition. She's very talented and original; creating a genre of her own making. Musically she blends goth, (so called), (a la "Evenescence," (but Epica, Within Temptation, & Nightwish are better examples)) operatic rock, and progressive influences. Jennifer's style is one of contrasts; good & evil, darkness & light, etc. She is definitely more interested in music as art and message than pandering to mass market (no lady ga ga here). Her music is very interesting, refreshing, and transcends age groups.

Debra Burt

May 11, 2010 10:06pm

My daughter got me listening to Jennifer's music. Now I'm hooked. I can't wait until I can get a hold of the latest albums. I find her songs very interesting and original. Definately up there with Evanescence in my book. Wish that more people could hear her.

Amy Holland

May 11, 2010 8:46pm

This is an amazing cd that I like more and more each time I listen to it. Jennifer Grassman is a master storyteller as well as an extremely gifted musician. It is refreshing to hear original music that actually sounds original!! I can't wait until the next cd comes out!

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