The male answer to today's reigning pop queens

One of the most talked about musicians today, Eric Berman is the male answer to pop queens Miri Mesika, Aya Corem and Keren Peles, who've overpowered mainstream radio stations in recent months with their lighthearted love songs.

By VIVA SARAH PRESS
berman disk 88 298 (photo credit: )
berman disk 88 298
(photo credit: )
ERIC BERMAN I (NMC) One of the most talked about musicians today, Eric Berman is the male answer to pop queens Miri Mesika, Aya Corem and Keren Peles, who've overpowered mainstream radio stations in recent months with their lighthearted love songs. Berman's approach is different, satirizing the kinds of subjects his female counterparts praise. His tongue-in-cheek single "Hametukot Ha'ahronot" (Last Sweethearts) - about a chauvinistic guy who insults women - even managed to get banned by Reshet Gimmel. But though the song is impolite, the lyrics are nevertheless very clever. Berman's lyrics overall, for that matter, are more impressive than his music, requiring a re-reading in order to grasp each of the singer's insinuations and meanings. The 26-year-old performer wrote the lyrics and composed the music for all 13 tracks on I, including the catchy "Ma Od Bikasht" (What More Did You Ask For). Berman's new single, "Yom Hadash Nifla" (A Bright New Day), which he wrote after being knocked out of a songwriting contest at the Rimon School of Jazz and Contemporary Music, is a case in point of stronger lyrics than music. The musician has included a variety of styles on the album, including rock, ballads and pop, which is not surprising considering he counts as musical influences artists as diverse as Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Nick Cave and Mozart. Berman made his professional debut two years ago when his song "Shaar 6" ("Goal 6," included on this album) was chosen as the theme song for Emmanuel Rosen's soccer-themed TV program. He has said he called this album I ( as in the Roman numeral for one) to let the music world know he intends to release a whole slew of discs after this one. He's proven his mettle as a songwriter here, and we're indeed likely to hear much more from Eric Berman in the coming years. VARIOUS ARTISTS Where is the Sunshine (Kol Hacampus/Vector/ College of Management) Where is the Sunshine should be required listening for anyone interested in the local alternative music scene. Put together by the Kol HaCampus radio station (106 FM), the album includes 18 tracks - the majority of them in English - by Israeli musicians working in the alternative arena. But don't be fooled - their lack of mainstream success does not mean the quality of these musicians' work is any less. Some of the artists here have worked with labels, while others have remained wholly independent. The more popular musicians included in the mix are Amit Erez, Katamine and My Second Surprise, all of whom have released solo albums. A hodgepodge of alternative styles is included on Where, including rock, metal, folk, electronic, indie pop and groove. Humming with talent, the album is being distributed for free by the Tel Aviv municipality. Just go to www.106fm.co.il and click on the album cover to reserve your copy.