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Dec
21
2009
Crusher Magazine reviews Tea & Vodka
DEJHA COLANTUONO - TEA AND VODKA
Breaking away from band life (Rotten Apples most recently) to get her solo groove on, Northwest by way of NYC songstress Dejha Colantuono secures her game by providing a rash of refined tunes intact with a firm grasp of rock dynamics on Tea And Vodka. This 11-track offering boasts the punchy production skills of Matt Bayles, fully capturing Colantuono’s versatile vocal delivery audible on the quirky jangle of “Poolside”, the Bjork meets PJ Harvey electro creep of “Something With You” and the smoky “Miss Fortune” while properly doing justice to bouncy guitar rock on cuts like “Anxiety” and “Color Blue”. Showcasing pop sensibilities built into a wider musical framework, this disc showcases a seasoned vocalist whose eclectic mix of rock-based music elicits a dash of soul straight from the heart.----Mike SOS
Breaking away from band life (Rotten Apples most recently) to get her solo groove on, Northwest by way of NYC songstress Dejha Colantuono secures her game by providing a rash of refined tunes intact with a firm grasp of rock dynamics on Tea And Vodka. This 11-track offering boasts the punchy production skills of Matt Bayles, fully capturing Colantuono’s versatile vocal delivery audible on the quirky jangle of “Poolside”, the Bjork meets PJ Harvey electro creep of “Something With You” and the smoky “Miss Fortune” while properly doing justice to bouncy guitar rock on cuts like “Anxiety” and “Color Blue”. Showcasing pop sensibilities built into a wider musical framework, this disc showcases a seasoned vocalist whose eclectic mix of rock-based music elicits a dash of soul straight from the heart.----Mike SOS
Dec
21
2009
Chubby Jones' Tea & Vodka review
http://www.chubbyjones.com/entertainment/news/chubbyjones/
Dejha Colantuono - Tea and Vodka
Dejha Colantuono is no newbie to the music scene but she seems to be taking her seductive growl to new territory with her solo debut, Tea and Vodka. Much like the soothing punch a cocktail like that can give you, the album is mixed with varying styles.One of my favorite tracks on the album is the very first song, "Beginning to End". It is filled with an evil power like a woman finally figuring out she doesn't need the dude she's been sleeping with for the last two years. It's reminiscent of 90's acts like Tracy Bonham and Alanis Morrisette, which were big parts of my teenage soundtrack.
"Anxiety" is another standout that pulls no punches. Regardless of the subject matter, she's like that cool older girl you wanted to be like in high school - the one with Kool-Aid dyed hair who listened to Bikini Kill and wore safety pins in her jacket. "Second Sight" hits your ears with a vengeance and "Poolside" is a fantastic closer.
The album loses me a bit when Dejha dips her toes into the warmer side of the pool with songs like "Feel You're Going Nowhere" and "Waltz for Lucy". The rocking guitar riffs turn to more emotional and whimsical arrangements. I can understand wanting to branch out and show versatility but her rock side is so overpowering that there isn't room for her softer side (at least in my ears).
Regardless of some of the small issues I have with the order of songs and finding her softer songs less-needed, Tea and Vodka is a great solo debut for Colantuono.
Dec
21
2009
Venus Zine reviews Dejha Colantuono's Tea & Vodka
http://venuszine.com/articles/music/sounds/6297/Dejha_Colantuono
Dejha Colantuono
Tea & Vodka (Mad Meow)
By Kelley Hecker
Published: August 27th, 2009 | 7:00am The name Dejha Colantuono may not ring a bell, but this New York native has been a key player in the Seattle music scene for well over a decade. The singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist fronted bands including 3-D S&M, the Pin-Ups, Rotten Apples, and Ragazza. Now, Colantuono’s entering new territory with her solo debut, Tea & Vodka, 11 tracks that showcase her powerful pipes and eclectic taste.Early highlight “Color Blue” features dueling synths and guitars and a chorus that finds her asking, “Do you believe dreams can come true?” Colantuono gets tough on the rocking “Anxiety” as she cautions, “I become my own worst enemy.” This track would appeal to devotees of Rotten Apples, and it wouldn’t be surprising if it roped in a new slew of fans, as well.It’s difficult to categorize Tea & Vodka, as many of the tracks veer in different directions. There’s the dreamy, synth-driven gem “Fences” and the funky, mid-tempo pop number, “Feel You’re Going Nowhere.” Later, Colantuono reveals her softer side. On “Miss Fortune,” the vocalists harmonize “Everything will turn out just like you want it to” to a beautiful and uplifting effect.“Second Sight,” a dance-punk number, feels a bit forced; however, closer “Poolside” more than makes up for that as Colantuono gives her most impressive vocal performance and a chorus that you can’t get out of your head. It’s the perfect end to a strong solo effort that should find Dejha Colantuono a wider audience and the attention she deserves.
Dejha Colantuono
Tea & Vodka (Mad Meow)
By Kelley Hecker
Published: August 27th, 2009 | 7:00am The name Dejha Colantuono may not ring a bell, but this New York native has been a key player in the Seattle music scene for well over a decade. The singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist fronted bands including 3-D S&M, the Pin-Ups, Rotten Apples, and Ragazza. Now, Colantuono’s entering new territory with her solo debut, Tea & Vodka, 11 tracks that showcase her powerful pipes and eclectic taste.Early highlight “Color Blue” features dueling synths and guitars and a chorus that finds her asking, “Do you believe dreams can come true?” Colantuono gets tough on the rocking “Anxiety” as she cautions, “I become my own worst enemy.” This track would appeal to devotees of Rotten Apples, and it wouldn’t be surprising if it roped in a new slew of fans, as well.It’s difficult to categorize Tea & Vodka, as many of the tracks veer in different directions. There’s the dreamy, synth-driven gem “Fences” and the funky, mid-tempo pop number, “Feel You’re Going Nowhere.” Later, Colantuono reveals her softer side. On “Miss Fortune,” the vocalists harmonize “Everything will turn out just like you want it to” to a beautiful and uplifting effect.“Second Sight,” a dance-punk number, feels a bit forced; however, closer “Poolside” more than makes up for that as Colantuono gives her most impressive vocal performance and a chorus that you can’t get out of your head. It’s the perfect end to a strong solo effort that should find Dejha Colantuono a wider audience and the attention she deserves.
Dec
21
2009
Baby Sue Tea & Vodka Review
www.babysue.com/2009-August-LMNOP-Reviews.html#anchor14383
Dejha Colantuono - Tea & Vodka (CD, Mad Meow Music, Pop)
For better or worse, this is probably one of those cool little albums that unfortunately falls through the cracks. So if you like getting in on the ground floor where cool new artists reside, read on. Dejha Colantuono has a really great voice. She got her start singing in several Seattle, Washington bands including 3-D S&M, The Pin-Ups, Rotten Apples, and Ragazza before embarking on a solo career. The polished mature sounds on Tea & Vodka may be the result of all Dejha's previous experience. Whatever the reason or cause, Ms. Colantuono has come up with a really impressive batch of tunes here. Her music sounds something like a modern version of the more normal side of PJ Harvey...but not really (?). Her music is most definitely accessible and could easily be appreciated by the masses if they had an opportunity to hear it. On some of the lighter tunes Dejha's voice reminds us ever-so-slightly of the vastly underrated British soul/pop vocalist Linda Lewis. Nothing but cool stuff here. Kickass cuts include "Beginning to End," "Feel You're Going Nowhere," and "Something With You." Nice, slick, well arranged tunes that hold up to many repeated spins... (Rating: 5+)
Dejha Colantuono - Tea & Vodka (CD, Mad Meow Music, Pop)
For better or worse, this is probably one of those cool little albums that unfortunately falls through the cracks. So if you like getting in on the ground floor where cool new artists reside, read on. Dejha Colantuono has a really great voice. She got her start singing in several Seattle, Washington bands including 3-D S&M, The Pin-Ups, Rotten Apples, and Ragazza before embarking on a solo career. The polished mature sounds on Tea & Vodka may be the result of all Dejha's previous experience. Whatever the reason or cause, Ms. Colantuono has come up with a really impressive batch of tunes here. Her music sounds something like a modern version of the more normal side of PJ Harvey...but not really (?). Her music is most definitely accessible and could easily be appreciated by the masses if they had an opportunity to hear it. On some of the lighter tunes Dejha's voice reminds us ever-so-slightly of the vastly underrated British soul/pop vocalist Linda Lewis. Nothing but cool stuff here. Kickass cuts include "Beginning to End," "Feel You're Going Nowhere," and "Something With You." Nice, slick, well arranged tunes that hold up to many repeated spins... (Rating: 5+)
Dec
21
2009
Scanner Zine Review
http://www.scannerzine.com/topsoundsc2009.htm
COLANTUONO, DEJHA - Tea And Vodka {Mad Meow} As dark and sultry jazz vibes mixed with breezy New Wave power pop, the vocals somehow sounded familiar. There’s good reason too - DEJHA COLANTUONO used to be in Seattle’s ROTTEN APPLES! This, her debut album, is a very different slice of tuneage though. In place of the sneering arrogance of her band vocal is a confident, rich swagger akin to Annie Lennox (had she come from New Orleans). Some of the mellow moments, like ‘Waltz For Lucy’ and ‘Miss Fortune’ were just too sombre for me, even if they displayed a wonderful fragility about COLANTUONO’s vocals. ‘Color Blue’ (which had a near on BLONDIE vibe), ‘Anxiety’ with its soaring vocal and quality chorus and the taut, mischievous power of closer ‘Poolside’ all provide highlights and emphasize what a great singer COLANTUONO is. Elsewhere inventive programming kept interest alive - especially on the rolling ‘Fences’. Definitely a release for sedate Sunday mornings and those moments where you want something that is subtle but with a bit of bite. (26.07.09)
COLANTUONO, DEJHA - Tea And Vodka {Mad Meow} As dark and sultry jazz vibes mixed with breezy New Wave power pop, the vocals somehow sounded familiar. There’s good reason too - DEJHA COLANTUONO used to be in Seattle’s ROTTEN APPLES! This, her debut album, is a very different slice of tuneage though. In place of the sneering arrogance of her band vocal is a confident, rich swagger akin to Annie Lennox (had she come from New Orleans). Some of the mellow moments, like ‘Waltz For Lucy’ and ‘Miss Fortune’ were just too sombre for me, even if they displayed a wonderful fragility about COLANTUONO’s vocals. ‘Color Blue’ (which had a near on BLONDIE vibe), ‘Anxiety’ with its soaring vocal and quality chorus and the taut, mischievous power of closer ‘Poolside’ all provide highlights and emphasize what a great singer COLANTUONO is. Elsewhere inventive programming kept interest alive - especially on the rolling ‘Fences’. Definitely a release for sedate Sunday mornings and those moments where you want something that is subtle but with a bit of bite. (26.07.09)
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