KARNEY – How’d a white girl get so funky?
Urban Rag – September 2001
by Erwin A. Karl

Although I’ve been spinning discs and giving my opinion

for a few moons now, I must defer to the judgment of funk high priest George Clinton who asked the hyperbolic rhetorical question of Karney, “How’d a white girl get so funky?” A first rate singer songwriter who has always supported herself through commercial and creative music gigs (no day jobs!!?!), Karney shows a knack for masterful vocals and instrumental themes, and as writer and producer, blends up musical styles and guest artists like a good DJ – Jamaican dub style vocals, bassoon, and brass instruments plied in the dizzying style of Mojack.

Will catch the ear of indie rock as well as singer songwriter fanciers, with substantial guitar riffs, catchy hooks, and narrative-oriented lyrics.

– Urban Rag Fanzine

KARNEY – A Great Record By Yet Another Talented Local Musician
Zero Magazine – July/August 2001
Remy Armstrong

This CD displays the songwriting skills of local singer/songwriter Karney and her diverse musical styles, which she molds into each of her songs. The CD starts off with “Pretty Boy” which is more of an acoustic rock song along the lines of Sheryl Crow.The song shows the power of the singer/songwriter’s smooth, yet powerful voice. Karney’s music doesn’t stagnate. The second song, “Shell Shock Girl,” is more of a ragamuffin jam with guest vocals by Steffen Franz, while on the third track, Karney hits us with “Slap,” a powerful song about domestic violence.”Not the third time, not the second time, but the first time is the last time,” Karney sings while the horn arrangement takes on a life of their own-great song.

This album was recorded in Oakland at Shark Bite Studios by Mark Keaton. The drums sound great and everything is mixed perfectly right in the pocket. Karney’s self-tilted disc has three key elements making it a great record: first and foremost, Karney has well-written songs, an awesome band backing her up, and top-quality recording, making this a great record by yet another talented local musician.

KARNEY – Karney Salutes You
CMJ New Music Report – Issue 755 – Mar 25, 2002
by Kristy Martin

San Francisco native Karney channels the spirits of female singer/songwriters past and present on her self-titled debut, including Aimee Mann, Edie Brickell, Concrete Blonde’s

Johnette Napolitano and Pat Benatar. Dark, airy vocals and oozing horn arrangements pepper the singer’s funky style; “Pretty Boy” is acoustic yet soulful, with a tinge of sarcasm, while the single “Shell-Shock Girl” – which has since been remixed for radio – is a plea for world peace (hence the title) highlighted by emotive vocalizing, a bit of friendly singalong that works as a call to arms, all backed by a dancehall interlude courtesy of rapper/producer Stand Out Selector and spunky, boozy guitar riffs. Sax ‘n’ roll flavors “Slap” and “Skippin’ Class,” a cooing anthem about a homeless bohemian woman who takes Ecstasy and goes barefoot. But Karney takes time for life in the slow lane, too: “Mercy” is a slow, loopy ballad a la Edie Brickell’s “What I Am.” Those ladies about to rock, Karney salutes you.

– CMJ NEW MUSIC REPORT – The CMJ Network

KARNEY – A Good Solid Rock Record
Collected Sounds – March 08, 2003
Amy – Producer

San Francisco’s Karney knows how to rock. This CD is filled with solid, well-written and fun rock songs. She is a multitalented musician and plays acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard but also has a great band backing her up. Her songwriting is skillful and interesting. Her voice perfectly suited for her style of music.

“Slap” is almost punk-ish with its dissonant chord progression and her voice is a strong scream. She gets some vocal help from Steffen Franz on “Shellshock Girl” (as well as two other songs here) in which he adds some rap that sounds fantastic with the music and adds a little reggae feel. “Speed of a Bullet” grabs the listener from the beginning and rocks hard.

All in all this is a good solid rock (on the harder edge) record

– Collected Sounds – A Guide to Women in Music