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Janeen Leah
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Time Is Never Wasted
JL Pixie Records
Release: 11/01/2005
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Rated:
Review by:
Morley Seaver
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It's strange where you'll find some things. I accidentally
discovered Janeen Leah on the Internet and it was a very
fortuitous meeting for me because I found probably the best
record released this year. Janeen's material is of the
adult-oriented rock variety but there is so much more on
here. I could gush on and on about this record all
day.
First of all, Janeen is a twenty-something singer-songwriter
from Los Angeles. Her voice is a warm, expressive pool of
aural comfort. If there was ever a voice built for
headphones, this is it. You know how some singers, even if
you like them, you get a bit tired of their voice after awhile?
Well, I'll tell you, I could listen to Janeen all day long. And I
do...come to think of it.
There are thirteen cuts on this record and not a bad song
among the crowd. The set starts off with "I Can Not Ignore,"
an awesome song that begins with just Janeen and her
acoustic guitar. She runs a couple of verses and then
bang...the band comes in and just elevates the song to
double-awesome status. She sounds great purring and she
sounds great letting it rip and that's what she does in this
song...both that is. This track alone is worth the price of
admission.
Fortunately, she proves she's not a one-hot wonder as there
is more...lots more of great stuff here. She kicks up the
energy for the next cut "The Feeling." Really nice subdued
guitar run in here by husband Michael that just augments
things as does the sax. The moody "I Melt into You" is like
gooey chocolate, all smooth and satisfying.
Things turn all bluesy for "Erased," an exquisite
love-gone-wrong that exudes emotion. The guitars are
beefed up for "Captured in My Own Mind," including a tasty
solo by Michael. "Our Love Grows Stronger" is completely
surprising for the jazzy turn that it takes and it is just
excellent. Awesome chorus on this one.
"You Wasted a Good One" follows and it's a solid mid-tempo
song, highlighted by the verses towards the end where
Janeen really rips into the vocal. "The Sea You've Cried"
switches the motion of things, slowing down to a gentle
sleepwalk. Another great chorus on this song that was an
experiment of sorts. This was written by Janeen in LA and it
was mixed in New Zealand by musician Peter Kearns.
Continuing the streak of great songs is "Strange
Days"...great song...great vocal (I know, can I say great any
more?). The rhythm-heavy "I Know" brings out the grit in
Janeen. The title cut is a ballad-y bit of excellence that oozes
feeling. The absolute jewel of the record is "Fallen," where a
sultry and slinky Janeen purrs through the first few verses
before the band slams in. This is a fantastic cut. The closer is
the "bonus" track, which is another experiment of sorts.
Janeen collaborated with Tushar Parte an East Indian
musician who wanted to work with her. She recorded the
vocals in LA over the tracks he had sent to her. He then
produced the track in India.
I guess you can tell by this review that I like this record and
that is something you can take to the bank. If you like
anything by the other female singer-songwriters out there
today, you will LOVE this record. I guarantee it. |
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