Artist's new CD, Found on the Forest Floor, is such a freakin' delight I dare you to listen to it and force yourself to stand still. Sure, it can be done, but why fight natural instincts? Michelle DuBois' little combo has solidified into something almost magical, the way certain songs give you chills, raise the little hairs on the back of your neck, make you almost sad while at the same time you're jumping around dancing (even though you can't dance, in the traditional sense, worth a loose crap), smiling ear to ear and feeling absolutely giddy. Everything works here: the pure harmonies, the call and response vocals, the la-la-las, the weird lyrics about studying bones and writing wills, the way the guitars shuffle and spin and jangle and cut loose. It reminds me, at times, of those carefree, innocent early days of Michelle's old band Babyfat, when everything was just about having fun and feelin' groovy. The difference is Artist's a more accomplished group, one of the most thoroughly enjoyable pop-rock bands Atlanta's given birth to in years. You can't not love 'em. Well, OK, you can, but you'd be one hell of a stodgy old bastard, probably mean to animals to boot, and not at all interested that Artist's CD release show is Friday, ...

Since her band Ultrababyfat went on hiatus, singer/songwriter Michelle Dubois needed an outlet for the songs in her head. She was losing a couple of new song ideas each month because she didn't own a four-track for demos, yet her brain continued to bubble up novel music. To document her effervescent pop songs, the guitarist gathered a crew of musicians and friends -- a busy cache of players including Scott Rowe (bass), Johnny McConnell (guitar) and Brian Fletcher (drums) -- and recorded a batch of material with Dan Dixon of Dropsonic at the production helm. Dubois didn't intend for the group to play live, but during the first week of recording, someone asked the band to play a show. "They all love to play out," she says about her new bandmates. "So, next thing ya know, we're a performing band called Artist." Still, she relishes her time in the studio. "It's really what I crave," she says. "If I could spend six months a year recording and never play a live show again, I'd be happy. Though once I'm there, the shows are fun, too." Artist's debut, vamonos, is a limited-edition release with colorful graphics, individually handmade by the band. --Lee Valentine Smith (11/13/03)

Track Listing of songs: Juegos de Amor; Mala; Los Amigos; Yo Te Cuidare; Besos; No me hagas sufrir; Perdoname; Sal de mi Vida; Ven; Yo Te cuidare remix;

Track Listing of songs: Soy Yo; Pillala; Mirame; Se Que Estas Casada; Te Complacere; No Me Haras Mas Llorar; Bombom; Vuelve a Mi; Yo Controlo; Muñeca; Siente Lo Mismo; Hey Lady; Esa Chica Me Motiva;

Track Listing of songs: Concerto for trumpet, 2 oboes, 2 horns & strings in E flat major: Allegro moderato; Concerto for trumpet, 2 oboes, 2 horns & strings in E flat major: Adagio; Concerto for trumpet, 2 oboes, 2 horns & strings in E flat major: Rondo. Allegretto grazioso; Trumpet Concerto No. 3 in D major, MWV4/14: Allegro; Trumpet Concerto No. 3 in D major, MWV4/14: Andante cantabile; Trumpet Concerto No. 3 in D major, MWV4/14: Concerto for trumpet & orchestra in D major: Allegro moderato; Concerto for trumpet & orchestra in D major: Andante; Concerto for trumpet & orchestra in D major: Allegro; Concerto for trumpet, 2 oboes & 2 horns No. 1 in D major: Poco Adagio; Concerto for trumpet, 2 oboes & 2 horns No. 1 in D major: Tempo di Menuetto;

Track Listing of songs: B.B Hype; So Dangerous; Whats Goin' On; Cooking; Sessions; Past Love; Joyrider; If I Was Your Lover; In Love Again; Vulture; In The Air Tonight; Walk & Wine; Still Here; Cooking; Serious; Joyrider; I Know You Like It; Sessions; Can't Get Used To Losing You;

Track Listing of songs: That Sound; That Sound; That Sound; That Sound; That Sound; That Sound; That Sound; That Sound; That Sound; That Sound; That Sound; That Sound;

Track Listing of songs: Medea: Act II; Medea: Act II; Medea: Act II; Medea: Act II; Medea: Act II; Medea: Act II; Medea: Act II; Medea: Act II; Medea: Act II; Medea: Act III; Medea: Act III; Medea: Act III; Medea: Act III; Medea: Act III;