I came across Jentri Colello in the midst of 2008. She sounded like Cat Power, I thought at first. Her folk-rock tunes country strokes, along with simple but effective composition were startling, at that time. It grew larger after several listens. She knocked off the crowd and took over the room with such incredible voice that flickers and hints at melodies—rough scratchy not raspy, and raddled in one direction, melted and vulnerable in the other–but never puts her larynx on parade. The rarity attached to her beautiful voice has always been the powerful weapon in most performances. With some pretty harmonies and creative rhymes, she’s surely refreshing.

I think I’m lovesick. I barely can stop thinking about Sarianna and The Swell. Sarianna Sabbarese to be exact, and I’m pretty sure that I’m straight. I guess it rarely happened these days. Finding the right cough syrup. Artists in recency are treated as home remedies. Like mothers, people have suddenly become very suggestive. Streets are filled with human radio player casting devious stares to the coolest Ipod buddies. People everywhere are exchanging news, germs, handshakes, kisses, and mp3s. Hundreds of new artists are ready to be swapped with the newest fix, as they update the weekly charts. You will hear them talking about new bands as if they were from Mars or something, nowhere to be found in our earthy sphere. Some with luck will see such indie artists gig with all the right outfits and processed sound in a seedy bar and clubs. Showing up on stage, fixing you the latest cough syrup. Sarianna & The Swell is the kind of remedy that outsold all others of its kind. I would say, they’re one of the most promising thing to land in the road of fame in 2009. Sarianna has this charismatic persona dwelled within her bodily function, along with the classic quality of singing that calls 60’s nostalgic pop ballad ensemble to mind. Like a modern black magic, word by word, the spell is cast. I hope they wont flame out easily.