Niso Siman-Tov's album has been waiting on my stack to review for some time.
By VIVA SARAH PRESSsimantovdisk88 298(photo credit: )Niso Siman-Tov
Lee
(Y-Not Music/Hatav Hashmini)
Niso Siman-Tov's album has been waiting on my stack to review for some time. Assuming it was another novice Mizrahi compilation, I put it off in favor of other discs.
From the first track, "Soredet" - a passion packed ballad - I quickly realized Siman-Tov was no impostor. Having auditioned for the popular TV series, A Star is Born - 2, Siman-Tov didn't make cut because his "style" wasn't what the producers were looking for. He didn't give up, but rather went on to produce an album highlighting his classical-oriental-electronic style. The album also includes two new - though not especially sensational - renditions of Naomi Shemer's "Lu Yehi" and Arkadi Duchin's "Elohay". Indeed, Siman-Tov is difficult to classify.
Not one track here fits into the "popular music" category. His lyrics are devoid of clich s - something most standard music thrives on. Moreover, for a young artist, his texts are clever. Siman-Tov definitely has talent, and for a first album, he has done well. He still needs to develop, and with maturity, he could be a top name in the business one day.
Ziv Rubinstein
Like There's No Sea
(Hatav Hashmini)
Ziv Rubinstein's song "Beeretz Ahavti" should be mandatory listening for the politicians now gearing up for the election race. "In the land I loved there isn't any love.
Everyone talks about peace but chooses war...good will come, good will come, good will come to us still," sings Rubinstein glumly. The song, when released earlier this year, garnered many responses, including one from MK Ahmed Tibi who wrote "I enjoyed listening to this wonderful song. Myself and many others will continue to do all we can so that in this country that we all love we will stop singing war songs and begin to cast other meaning to our lives."
Rubinstein's album, Like There's No Sea, is his second release, but his first solo album. It is an EP comprising just six songs. His lyrics are poignant and often despondent.
Rubinstein made a name for himself 12 years ago when he appeared on a Dudu Topaz show with a cutout of Michelle Pfeifer. He presents here six solid indie rock tracks. The mini album is first-rate in terms of production (thanks to Raz Ben Azar, an Israeli who lives in Florida), and his voice is commanding yet not imposing. The listener cannot escape the emotion Rubinstein has invested in these songs.
