This EP is probably one of the best free debut EP's released in a while. Released through her official website all this year, this EP is worth downloading. Cali Rodi is Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Kacey Musgraves all in one. She makes passionate, funny and powerful music that resonates with listeners, and occasionally name drops, which Swift used to do. But she also has the pop-rock influence which could open doors for her. Rodi showcases her extreme amounts of talent on this free seven song EP full of heartfelt acoustic country.
The song "Nobody Town" is one of the best songs on the EP. Rodi wrote this song by herself, and the lyrics seem to somewhat emulate Kacey Musgraves in the sarcastic lyrics and the quality of her vocals in this song. Lyrics like "he had me at Merlot - uh oh!" and "pass it around just don't pass out" display the Musgraves-like quality in her songwriting. This song is an empowerment anthem, and is acoustic based, like all of the songs on the EP, but the just guitar background makes Rodi's talent even more clear, showing that she can make a power pop/country song without booming electric guitars and synthesizers. There are also points in this track that you can hear Rodi smiling, which makes me smile every time.
Other songs with strong influence from powerful country songs include the two catchiest songs on the EP, "Boys in Trucks" and "Burning Rubber and Breaking Hearts". "Trucks" sounds a lot like early Taylor Swift demos, and sometimes when Rodi sings 'trucks', I swear it's Swift ten years ago. This song has some of the spunk Swift had in songs like "Picture to Burn", and is about boys, which Swift obviously loves to write about. This could have been written by Swift herself. "Burning Rubber" is similar in theme to "Songs Like This" by Carrie Underwood, in that Rodi just wants to break a boys heart because she feels so angry at her ex. This song is also very Miranda Lambert-esqe and blending Underwood and Lambert is always a good combination.
Other songs with strong influence from powerful country songs include the two catchiest songs on the EP, "Boys in Trucks" and "Burning Rubber and Breaking Hearts". "Trucks" sounds a lot like early Taylor Swift demos, and sometimes when Rodi sings 'trucks', I swear it's Swift ten years ago. This song has some of the spunk Swift had in songs like "Picture to Burn", and is about boys, which Swift obviously loves to write about. This could have been written by Swift herself. "Burning Rubber" is similar in theme to "Songs Like This" by Carrie Underwood, in that Rodi just wants to break a boys heart because she feels so angry at her ex. This song is also very Miranda Lambert-esqe and blending Underwood and Lambert is always a good combination.
The other four songs on the EP are all ballads, and although all of them are excellent, the two best are "Friends Like Us" and "String of Lights." It's hard to address a best friend in a song without sounding cheesy, but Rodi manages it with this. She wrote "Friends" for her best friend as a graduation present. This song can be related to all situations, if you disregard the lyrics about throwing caps. When I first heard it, I thought it was about a boy that she dated, but they ended up best friends instead, which is obviously not the real inspiration. The thing about this song is that you can relate to it or interpret it in your own way, which is something beautiful. In "String of Lights" , which Rodi wrote with Megan Redmond and Taylor Edwards, Rodi makes a metaphor out of a string of lights, saying that as soon one thing goes wrong in some relationships more and more things goes wrong before it all falls apart, as lights do when one burns out. It's a metaphor that rivals Kacey Musgraves "Dandelion" which is incredibly hard to do, because that song is a masterpiece.
The only downside to this EP is the lack of production. Personally, I love acoustic music, but not seeing any other instruments besides an acoustic guitar leaves a gap, because listeners don't know if Rodi could do as well with a fully produced track. When Rodi puts out a track like that, I guess we'll find out.
Best songs: Boys in Trucks, Burning Rubber and Breaking Hearts, Nobody Town, String of Lights
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 crowns
The only downside to this EP is the lack of production. Personally, I love acoustic music, but not seeing any other instruments besides an acoustic guitar leaves a gap, because listeners don't know if Rodi could do as well with a fully produced track. When Rodi puts out a track like that, I guess we'll find out.
Best songs: Boys in Trucks, Burning Rubber and Breaking Hearts, Nobody Town, String of Lights
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 crowns
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