Beaner's Beats: It's Game Night, Every Night!

For most bass players, their names will never see the spotlight. For Corrin Campbell this is not the case. Having formed a little over a year ago in Baltimore, Maryland during May of 2008, Corrin Campbell & the Election went straight to work. Campbell, a Twin Ports native and combat vet, plays bass, keyboard, sings, and writes all the songs for her band. She is joined by “the Election” made up of Tony Corbett on drums and percussion and Jim Boyer on guitar. In 2008, between shows, the band produced its first EP Exhibit A and the single “Sunbeam”. Their first full-length album Game Night is set to be released on November 24, 2009.

The title track of Game Night “Find Your Way” captures the listener’s attention immediately with very punky almost Green Day-esque chord spikes. Transitioning to a much more subdued sound with Corrin’s powerful voice carrying the weight of the song, it is the perfect song to jump and dance around to. Lyrics such as “Time to pick a path, take off the blindfold” give the song deeper meaning while staying quick paced and hot.

The ninth track of the album “Apologize” is a cover of the widely popular song by One Republic. A dramatic, harmonious, and building song, “Apologize” is the perfect song for Corrin & the Election. The song gives a first-time listener something to sing along with while experiencing Corrin’s unique sound. Beautifully adapted, Corrin & the Election do justice to One Republic while still giving the song a new sound.

Songs throughout the album such as “Blink of an Eye”, “Keep Movin’”, and “Done With You” demonstrate the incredible balance between Corrin’s beautiful voice and the raw bass she plays. Each song is constructed with intimate care. With blistering drum syncopations, screaming guitar solos, and roaming bass riffs the band can certainly play!

While Corrin can certainly tear it up with rip roaring punk/rock songs, tracks such as “A New Page” show her ability to sing softer ballads. Comprised of listing piano lines and chords, “A New Page” tells the story of moving on to a fresh start. “This era, scrawled on a page with darkened blotches and tear-laden stains.” When this ‘page’ of our life becomes so scratched and blackened, it is time to turn to something new. It is truly an excellent final track to leave a listener with a reverent and hopeful feeling.

This is a singer/songwriter bursting with talent and a band that can play the trickiest of licks. Corrin Campbell & the Election will be playing two shows in Duluth this December 20, and 23. With talent like this, I can wholeheartedly recommend Corrin Campbell & the Election to anyone who reads this article.

Check out their myspace: http://www.myspace.com/corrincampbell

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