Aoede

"'Is Love a Fairy Tale?' uses spoken word and song to tell the story of Aoede the Muse and her search for love in the magical kingdom of Wonderhaven. Along the way she meets and befriends a cast of strange and wonderful characters - Morpheus, Binkle the garden gnome, Albert the ice cream vendor, Amala, and others. The lead vocals, script, and songs are by Lisa Sniderman, aka Aoede. This talented songwriter has a gift for crafting pop melodies and lyrics so catchy you'll find yourself humming and singing along from the very first listen. Her voice has the unique ability to be simultaneously upbeat and plaintive, a quality that keeps the listener actively engaged. The arrangements are awash in warm harmonies and delightfully quirky, well-suited instrumental choices. The standouts include 'Make It Up As You Go,' a buoyant, catchy whistle tune that shows us that anything we can imagine, we can create. 'Little Things,' a delightful song about the pleasures to be had from life's simpler offerings, makes us wonder why the ukulele isn't used far more often in pop music. And the joyful 'Reason To Smile' uses trombone and tuba to great effect in ways that brings the Beatles to mind. As the narrative and musical selections take Aoede through the ups and downs of love and life, an overall philosophy emerges, one that seems to say, 'love is real, love is life - and life is good.' Amen to that." - Tillywig Toy Awards

"How fun! I really enjoyed this "audio book". It flows warmly, intertwining music, narration and leading questions, which take you in to the story line with a pre-set stage for what you are about to embark on. Between the sound effects and excellent narration, you can visualize the story well, as you walk along with the characters you will meet on the way. I love to put these on in the car when going for a drive ... everyone can relax and enjoy the story together. Then, when we stop for a bite to eat, we have something to talk about - the story! This is a well produced audio CD and I know you will enjoy it. Reading is awesome - I love to read! However, sometimes reading is not practical or inviting, which are the times you want something such as this to kick back and enjoy. Great for children ages 9-14 but I think all ages will enjoy the fun tale." - Family Review Center

I found this collection quite interesting. It was almost like listening to a musical. Each track had some narration and some music but the Is Love A Fairy Tale? CD makes one continuous story. I would say that the story itself is good for pre-teens and would be especially appealing to girls. It talks about a young woman in search of love. She's not sure what it is or how to find it. She looks lots of places and meets lots of interesting creatures in the mystical land where she lives. In the end we learn that "love is whatever you want it to be" and is "the greatest thing of all".
- Kerrific Online

This CD is so catchy and unique... My 5 year old likes it... I think I may share this with my best friend who has 4 girls in her house :) The music is very fun and engaging and stays in your head all day. I love all fairy tales, and I love greek mythology even more so this is right up my alley. The narration through out really brings the story in the music together. We, well me and the 5 year old, really enjoy this and I can't wait to share with my friend and her girls and see what they think too. 5/5 :) - Jenn's Review Blog

"For AOEDE, you cannot tag her as a single genre artist, in fact, it is much harder to pin her down in one category, because her music is outside any realm of typical categories. Instead, put her in your "Popular" playlist and hit repeat often, because if you enjoy music by Regina Spektor, and Feist, Ingrid Michaelson then you will definitely enjoy AOEDE." - Mikey Jay, Great Unknowns Presents

Poppy, upbeat, heartfelt, passion-filled, talented – those are just some words one might use to describe Aoede. Lisa Sniderman has a brilliantly vibrant voice that matches her positive personality. Her music isn’t necessarily confined to any set parameters, that is to say, if you compared her song I Lost, You Win to Love Proof, you might think it was two different artists.

Aoede has a distinct Pop sound to it, but not the kind of mainstream Pop sound. When the ukulele is added into the mix, it gives off a happy, positive feeling much the way Molly Lewis‘ music does (minus the comedy). While some have compared Aoede’s sound to that of The Ditty Bops, I don’t quite see the comparison. Sure they both make use of the ukulele, but The Ditty Bops’ music is almost depressing when compared to Aoede.

If I were to compare Aoede to someone it would be The Oh Wells. Like The Oh Wells, Aoede creates songs with lyrics that are deep, sensitive, and contemplative. MarsBands.com suggests you check out some of Aoede’s music via ReverbNation below. Enjoy! - Marsbands.com

“Aoede (Lisa Sniderman) has a fizzy, fancy-free persona conveyed with a hint of Brit-ness a la Lilly Allen, but is much less edgy. "Fairy Tale Love" revels in its goofiness. "Crave Me" shows more playful musicality and melody... Aoede recovers with the charming ukulele fueled Love Proof whose quaint simplicity and deft vocal harmonies recall the Ditty Bops. This artist has a unique spirit...” - Music Connection Magazine (August 2011 Issue p.49)

“Aoede (Lisa Sniderman) has a fizzy, fancy-free persona conveyed with a hint of Brit-ness a la Lilly Allen, but is much less edgy. "Fairy Tale Love" revels in its goofiness. "Crave Me" shows more playful musicality and melody... Aoede recovers with the charming ukulele fueled Love Proof whose quaint simplicity and deft vocal harmonies recall the Ditty Bops. This artist has a unique spirit...” - Music Connection Magazine (August 2011 Issue p.49)

"Aoede's quirky folk/pop sensibilities mix with both light and dark on her latest album, sometimes throwing up glorious sparks of song, while at others simply documenting the passage of time and the survival of creation; of life itself. "Fairy Tale Love" explores wanting that perfect love story... Aoede's sweetly anachronistic voice dances with the melody line to create a sweet opening moment."
- Wildy's World

"Affair With the Muse’s lyrics are dominated by reactions, observations & questions pertaining to the matters of the heart… This album is like a cool breeze on a warm summer day. You’ll find yourself reflecting upon your own experiences. You’ll find yourself deep in empathy, as if her words were meant for your ears alone." - Sqwerm Music Review-Fred

"Affair With The Muse’s best moments are when Aoede completely lets her guard down... Full of fun, poppy hooks and gorgeous underscored production that only aids in making these engaging lovelorn themes all the more enticing; Aoede’s easy-to-love pop will forever find a home on your headphones" - Stage Door Music Reviews-Jason Gladu

CD Preview Podcast segment of Push and Pull-features 3 songs-I Lost You Win, Annalis, Scratch the Surface from Push and Pull and interview
(see www.aoedemuse.com and go to press for mp3 of March 12 segment) - Nette Radio

Aoede is predominantly the talents of Lisa Sniderman, vocals, and David Sands, bass. The duo is the nucleus of the band. The EP, "Ear Candy", is an interesting collection of 4-tunes that pushes an organic folk rock message with a dash of alternative and avant-garde. The first track, "Rose Colored Glasses", showcases Sniderman's vocals, and we were immediately reminded of Lena Lovitch and Chrissy Hynde. The songwriting here has a touch punk as lyrics describe the shiny happy contacts that inspired it, 'when your life is a bed of roses, you're tasting milk and honey and skies are always blue, can't let those thorns hurt you". Sniderman's delivery is original. She provides her own harmonies and the arrangement of those vocals is compelling - such as in track 2's, "Leap of Faith". The chorus is endearing. There are only 4 tracks on the album, and the third combines an atmospheric dreamy verse vibe with metallic acoustic guitar support as Sniderman describes life as 'flickerin, just when we want it to be still it keeps on flickerin'. The final track, "So it Goes", is an anthem emotional piece and our favorite on the CD. We look forward to more.
(http://www.earbuzz.com/aoede) - Earbuzz.com

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

Aoede is a band with talented musicians in David Sands and John Walden, but it is really a vehicle for vocalist/songwriter Lisa Sniderman. Part Amie Mann and part Kate Bush, Sniderman exudes a painfully wrought honesty on Push And Pull. This is true singer-songwriter confessional material, without pretense or machination.

(read more at:
http://wildysworld.blogspot.com/2008/07/cd-review-aoede-push-and-pull.html) - Wildysworld

AOEDE/Push and Pull: This crew probably came to Leonard Cohen by way of “I’m Your Fan”, but the contemporary influences like Nick Cave and PJ Harvey certainly ring authentic and organic. Not exactly a set that will make you want to gargle with razor blades, this trio certainly know their way around college music for the moody. Well conceived genre set that you can just imagine leaking out of Ipods as the fall term kicks in.
(Aoede Muse)
5/16/08

- Midwest Record Recap http://www.midwestrecord.com/

August 17, 2007
Last month, San Fran Voice was lucky enough to get an interview with Lisa Sniderman, the voice of Aoede. In that interview, Lisa told us that Aoede is a folk-laced pop-rock duo which takes its name from the muse of song in Greek mythology. After listening to the four tracks on their EP, Ear Candy, I have to say that the name is fitting. The music conjures up all of the fantasy and inspiration of a beautiful, tragic myth. It is a story-telling, magic-making kind of music...
http://www.sanfranvoice.com/cd-review-aoede/ - San Fran Voice

"Ear Candy" is a pretty apt title for this release from Aoede (pronounced "ay-ee-dee"). Lisa Sniderman and David Sands are the duo operating under this decidedly original and meaningful name (Aoede is a muse in mythology). Offering acoustic-rooted singer-songwriter stylings, Aoede conjures a sound all its own yet referential of similar artists such as Aimee Mann. Emotive and emotionally intelligent, "Ear Candy" is tasty for both your aural sensors as well as your soul.

http://www.corazine.com/reviews/aoede-ear-candy - © Upchuck Undergrind-Corazine

See http://goddessqueenmagazine.com/article_425.shtml for full review:

"Rose Colored Glasses" is a perfect beginning to this record and reminds me of the Indigo Girls with rich overlapping vocal harmonies sung by Lisa and a beat that kept my toes tapping. This is a song about getting honest and real with oneself and others, a story we can all relate to. "Leap Of Faith" is an insightful song of encouragement. With the third song, "Flickering", the expression "word-smith" came to mind. Lisa writes metaphors that would make Bob Dylan proud! The last song "So It Goes" is thick with emotion and the instrumentation is excellent and perfectly conveys the moodiness and desperation of the piece. Lisa's phrasing is so unique and sends home her point! I can't wait to hear the whole album due out in the Summer of 2007.
- Gypsy Sheldon

"I always try to do an introduction to the interviews that I post on my site. This is where I pull together what the band has said and summarize it to give it some form. But on occasion, I get an interview back from a band member who has written everything with such flow and summed everything up so concisely that there’s no reason for me to give an introduction. So, I’ll leave it to Aoede to tell you what there is to know. Although I will point out that a band that can write their own interview answers so well is a band with lyrics you’ll want to pay attention to." Kathryn Vercillo

http://www.sanfranvoice.com/sf-bands-speak-an-interview-with-aoede/
- Sanfranvoice.com

".....as I find myself being whisked away by the sounds of Aoede I need a copy of Push and Pull in the house, in the vehicle, in the studio and in my head all
the time. I've added this gem to my own personal favorite collection, but then you will too once you've treated your ears to this masterpiece! Just remember....A-E-D!"
- Kit Carson McGuire

Aoede consists of Lisa Sniderman, David Sands and John Walden and this is their debut. Their music is multi-faceted and intensely engaging from the first song.

"You Don't Know Me" reflects on how easily facades betray us and Sniderman's bright vocal and the bouncy backing help it stand out. "I Lost, You Won" is a piano-based song that really shows off the singer's passionate vocal. "Annalis" is guested by cellist Erika Mulkey who records fabulous music as Unwoman. The song is lovely and intense and really shows the band playing together well. Sinderman�s vocal is electrifying. "Something's Gotten Ahold of You" is soft and appealing as the band play in a country-inspired fashion. Aoede are worthy of investigating.

Copyright © 2008 Anna Maria Stjärnell e-mail address
- Luna Kafe-http://www.lunakafe.com/moon145/usca145d.php