Anni RossiK‘s debut full-length, Rockwell, is out this March 2009. From Minnesota via Los Angeles and now based in Chicago, 23-year old Anni is a most exciting prospect. Having been classically trained since three years of age, she is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and has been performing as a solo artist for the past few years. She has already extensively toured around Europe and the US (including support slots with The Ting Tings and Electrelane as well as being a member of Carla Bozulich
What comes from Minnesota is an absolute mystery to me. But, I do know that Anni Rossi and her mind-boggling musical talents are positive byproducts of the Midwestern state. On her just-released full-length, Rockwell, she forges boundaries and endures vocal leaps and bounds to present a work that is simply decadent. What’s even cooler is that Anni named her album after her Chicago address, where she recorded the work. How many artists are that ingenious?
With her innocent vocals and an obvious love affair with her viola, Anni Rossi tears Rockwell wide open, but doesn't take kindly to overstepping boundaries. Machine is intelligent and peppered with her delicate, flowery voice. It is evident that Rossi loves her viola, but it takes a thorough listen of Rockwell to detect similarities between the instrument and her actual singing. Her varied vocal tempos and pitch melt beautifully with her fluttery style, creating something fresh and exciting; something always welcomed in the folk and indie realms.
If the title wasn't such a giveaway, I might have overlooked Living In Danger as just another installment on Rockwell, not recognizing it as an Ace of Base cover song. A Swedish pop cover...not typical of a folk artist, particularly one with a penchant for the viola, is it? (I didn't think so, either.) But, Anni Rossi has proved herself as anything but typical, especially when it comes to her style. Rossi's version is endearing and borderline cute, for lack of a better term, and her vocals are vaguely parallel to those of Corinne Bailey Rae. You really can't deny it: Anni Rossi has an adorable voice! With such an alluring tone as hers, I'd be almost worried to see Rossi tackle something by The Smiths or even The Police. For sure, she would have me at her feet, groveling for more. All in all, her cover of the trio's hit is a spontaneous, yet delightful and classy addition to Rockwell. Period.
