fm_hunter's Full Review: Living Under June by Jann Arden
If you told me five years ago I would be reviewing an album like Jann Arden's "Living Under June", I would have looked at you with a smirk that slowly faded into an expression of incredulity. "You're <BLEEP>ing nuts" would have probably been the first thing I said, as well. Jann Arden's music is something of a cross between Sarah MacLachlan and Bonnie Raitt, and quite frankly, that's a mix of two very talented artists.
Over the past five years, my musical tastes have expanded more than the previous 20 years put together. While I am still not drawn to much in the 'country' genre, music like what can be found in "Living Under June" is just unique enough to not be considered full-blown country music. It is equal parts pop, folk, and country. This mix makes for a wonderfully soothing and occasionally introspective journey into the mellower side of music.
The first thing you notice about Jann Arden is that this woman has an amazing voice. In era where there are some truly amazing female vocalists; Sarah MacLachlan, Aimee Mann, Lisa Gerrard, Fiona Apple, and many others, Jann Arden's vocal abilities stand out just as prominently as any of her peers. Her range and the sheer feeling emoted through her vocals are astounding. It's quite confusing to me how this import from Canada isn't a mega star in the states.
There is a good chance you may have heard the one 'hit' from the CD, Track 4, "Insensitive". I will admit it was on the strength of this single that I purchased the CD, and I was not even remotely disappointed. Perhaps on the first few listens I was somewhat wary of the country-esque feel of many of the songs, but that was just a mental block on my part, and once cleared I was in store for a CD full of excellent songs.
"Insensitive" is a beautiful, haunting ballad where Jann sings about all the things that are so hard to forget about when love is over. The accompanying music is slow, but compelling and never taking away from the instrument that shines…Arden's voice. Although she didn't write this song, she delivers the words as if they were bleeding from her very soul.
How do you cool your lips, after a summer's kiss
How do you rid the sweat, after the body bliss
How do you turn your eyes, from the romantic glare
How do you block the sound, of a voice you'd know anywhere
Oh, I really should have know, by the time you drove me home
By the vagueness in your eyes, your casual good-byes
By the chill in your embrace, the expression on your face
That told me you might have some advice to give
On how to be
Insensitive
The very first time I heard that song, I knew that I must get this woman's CD. Anyone who could perform such a lovely song had to be able to come up with some good material. And my, how she proved me right! Track 1, "Could I Be Your Girl", starts out the album on a very strong note. Backed by piano and acoustic guitar, the music is once again very precise and enjoyable, but still just an appetizer to the main entrée of Jann's singing.
The overall theme throughout "Living Under June" is that of love and relationships, both the good and the bad that can arise. Even though many of the songs carry a country sensibility, I think this music would appeal to a broad listener base. If you are a fan of any of the newer female influenced music invasion artists, spurred on by the advent of Lilith Fair and the fact that there were so many talented female musicians out there, then I am quite sure you would love Jann. A few of her songs even remind me a little of Heather Nova, one of the more alternative based female vocalists.
While it's obvious the focus is on Jann's soothing vocals, it's not fair to completely paraphrase the backing musicians. On many tracks they prove they are more than just a platform for Jann's vocals. Track 3, "Looking for it (Finding Heaven)", demonstrates the bands ability to play with a jazzy, tropical island ambiance. The last track, "I Would Die For You" (No, not a Prince cover!), exhibits some evocative guitar work to augment Jann's pleas.
While not my usual musical fare, Jann Arden completely blows me away when I'm in an introspective or somewhat melancholy mood. Even though I have brought up different genres, like country and folk, her music really transcends categorization and quite simply is just incredible music regardless of your tastes. If you listen to her and at first don't like it, don't fret…you'll grow into some day. Enjoy!
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