sarah_knipper's Full Review: Veering from the Wave by Jennifer Kimball
If you are at all familiar with Jennifer Kimball, it is probably because she made up one half of a fabulous folk duo, The Story, along with Jonatha Brooke. She has also sung backup on many albums of such notable folkies as Carrie Newcomer, David Wilcox, Patty Larkin, Catie Curtis, Lucy Kaplansky, John Gorka, Peter Mulvey, and Lori McKenna. Jen is living proof that a top-notch (or abysmal) back-up singer can make or break an album (obviously, I go for the top-notch version here).
It is truly unfortunate, then, that this success has not translated into receiving more attention as a standalone singer-songwriter. Veering From The Wave, her 1998 solo release, is a wonderfully eclectic group of tracks that I wouldn't really characterize as folk or pop or rock. But for the first time, we get to hear Jen all by herself, and realize that she has a vocal quality and style that is all her own. Her voice emanates strength of purpose and direction on all of her songs, broadening in scope on the more "pop" songs such as Kissing in the Car and Fall at Your Feet, and turning more focused on the poignant ballads This is My New Vow and Ordinary Soldier. In fact, these ballads are the most outstanding tracks on the album. On This is My New Vow, Jen weaves a touching story of a painful divorce process and reminiscing on a relationship that was once good. Lullaby is a stark, highly acoustic song that has some of the most interesting harmonies I have heard in quite some time.
The album does have a few small pitfalls, though. Some of the tracks can get a bit repetitive, such as Gagna's Song and Take One Step. And sometimes you just get that instinctive feeling that while she is an extremely talented solo artist, she is used to having a partner to accompany. She is supposedly recording a new album for release in the coming year, though, and I am confident that it will reveal a more polished and confident Jennifer Kimball. Look for her to be the next Dar Williams.
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