KEVIN ALLRED: Sick Today

Kevin Allred

Sick Today

© 2000 gutter folk records

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

SPECIAL: 10% discount if you buy more than one copy of it today!

Intense honesty, aggressive guitar...acoustic folk that will break your heart and incite a riot.

tracks

1 Shades of Blue
2 Release
3 Losing You
4 Sick Today
5 Blindside
6 Picket Lines and Crossing Guards
7 Soldiers
8 Beer Can
9 Easy This Time
10 Nothing Short
11 Running Again
12 My Hands
13 Bullets in the Classroom
14 Fallout Shelter

notes

With songwriting, Kevin Allred turns the deeply personal into an overtly political statement. He takes his own life experiences and invites all people to share in the common emotions that shape our humanity. Kevin is a fierce live performer, engaging audiences by mixing music, comedy, and politics with only the aid of his acoustic guitar. He has played shows all over the West and has appeared with fellow songwriters Garrin Benfield and Arjuna Greist, among others.

Kevin loved music from a young age. He picked up the guitar at 16 and, using the music training he already had in piano, taught himself how to play. Soon, he was writing his own songs and performing for friends in living rooms and backyards. In 1999, he released the now out of print Demo Tape. In 2000, Kevin took his musical career to the next level, founding Gutter Folk Records and releasing his professionally recorded debut, Sick Today on his label.

In 2002, "Blindside", a spoken word piece from Sick Today was featured on Queer Stock, Queer Soup, a double disc compilation album benefiting queer youth advocacy organizations across the country. The compilation also includes tracks from artists such as Melissa Ferrick, Catie Curtis, Doria Roberts, and Ani Difranco and is released on Hurricane Doria Records.

Also check out Kevin's second release "Gasping for Breath" right here at cdbaby. It's a second helping of acoustic alterna-funky folk music, but this time with a full band, Kevin playing some piano, and an occasional drum machine...www.cdbaby.com/allred2.

reviews

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  • Like having a friend sing their problems to you....
    author: Folk Dude

    This album is sooooo intimate. Kevin said he wanted to capture the feel of a live performance, and I wouldn't say he did that...just because I think his live performance would be off-the-wall with its energy. However, the way his voice plays out and blends with his stripped-down music is just incredible. I can't wait to get his other stuff. If you like folk/pop of any kind, you'll like Kevin Allred.

  • like jason mraz with balls!
    author: James

    i think the idea of cutting off doubts with a raw debut cd is a brilliant idea. unrefined. allred sings like he's not looking. like jason mraz with balls! it's refreshing to hear someone in kevin's position to stand up and... yeah, fight. i anticipate the arrival of the 2nd album. i would've liked to have seen a couple more spoken word pieces. it was brilliant, tentatively.

  • Bootylicious!
    author: Ear With Feet

    Kevin's album is one of the rawest, strongest, and most heart wrenching pieces of work I've ever heard. Everytime I hear Shades of Blue, my heart turns in little knots. It is an album filled with true emotion, which is common for Kevin--and is sure to be prevelant in his future albums. There is nothing but truth in this cd, and I recommend it to any and all Tori, Ani, Melissa Ferrik, Alanis, Indigo, and Kevin fans. But listen to S Club 7 or Aaron Carter after this cd though, because you don't want to be too sad. Even if Crossing Guards and Picket Lines DO hold us back.

  • raw and original
    author: Joe Roumeliotis

    this is a great album. there is nothing in the way of production to hide any flaws, and guess what? i still couldn't find any! kevin has a hard-edged political sensibility so rare in people his (and my) age, and he's unwilling to sand it down for anybody. he comes from a direct lineage, politically and musically, from early ani difranco and by extension woody guthrie, but manages still to come up with work all his own. get this album before kevin is famous and won't talk to little people like us anymore.

  • It's for real
    author: Kathy Appuhn

    It's a beautiful CD. Not just because of how well comprised it is but because it's completely real. It's not full of the bull that most music is, it comes from his heart and you can tell. Not only that but it actually means something! Kevins first CD is only a preview of what he will produce in years to come I'm sure.

  • Kevin kicks ASS!!!
    author: One Hot Chick

    This cd is SO wonderful!!!! My favorite song is the spoken word song I believe it's #5. Kevin is my favorite singer ever (next to John Travolta, he was wonderful in Grease.) All of Kev's songs are beautifully written and touch the soul. Without Kevin's wonderful musical influence the world would go to hell in a hand basket. His lyrics are influential and pertinent to today's society. He gives a wonderful message and sings about more happening things instead of those sappy love songs. I love you Kevin, you need to marry Cassidy!!!

  • My most listened to CD.
    author: Kim Stites

    I listen to this CD all the time. It doesn't matter what mood I am in I can always find a song on there that is like what I am feeling at that moment. My favorite song is Easy This Time(#9), because I can relate to it. The songs are all easy to relate to and you can feel the emotion coming through the song. All in all it is my most listened to CD.

  • This guy can sing!
    author: Emily Smith

    I recently got this CD and Kevin is now one of my favorite artists. His guitar is incredible and his voice is astounding. And not to mention his lyrics. The poetry of this album is incredible and the lyrics are some of the best I have ever heard. His music is comparable to such artists as Kris Delmhorst, Erin McKeown, Lori McKenna, Edie Carey, Ani DiFranco, the Indigo Girls, and so many other great folk artists out there. The wide range of song types in this album show the many things Kevin's music is capable of, and leaves you anticipating his next CD. You will not be sorry you bought it. Great music, great buy!

  • Poignant and powerful
    author: Cassidy R. Pratt

    Poignant and powerful, this CD is a must have. The melodies are original and strong. I especially love the way the artist communicates his themes through a diversity in his work. I was surprised at the different styles in his songs - not just a repition on one good thought. I would recommend this for ALL listener types. It has been one of my favorites.

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