Album Review 2006
Time Is Never Wasted - Janeen Leah

Genre: Acoustic/Pop Rock/Jazz

Review By: Jere

Album Specs:

1. I Can Not Ignore                           8. The Sea You've Cried
2. The Feeling                                  9. Strange Days
3. I Melt into You                            10. I Know
4. Erased                                        11. Time is Never Wasted
5. Captured in My Own Mind             12. Fallen
6. Our Love Grows Stronger              13. Wine of Consciousness (Bonus Track)
7. You Wasted a Good One


Album Produced By: Janeen Leah

"The Sea You've Cried" Produced By Peter Kearns

"Wine of Consciousness" By Tushar Parte

Time Is Never Wasted Can Be Purchased At: www.cdbaby.com/cd/janeenleah/

Track By Track Breakdown:

1. I Can Not Ignore - Now this is the way to start off an album as I Can Not Ignore at first listen sounds like a simple acoustic driven pop/rocker with unbelievable harmony vocals in control but then the song takes on a whole different form blending in darker tones and some heavy electric riffs which give it a blast of pure attitude. What stood out the most for me on this song is just the vocal presence of Janeen Leah as she definitely is a gifted vocalist holding a very commanding presence in her delivery while at the same time keeping her performance at a very natural and passionate flow throughout the whole track.

 

2. The Feeling - The album takes on even more of a pop influence with a upbeat number that is very easy on the ears featuring more dominance with the acoustic guitar. The chorus is the core ingredient that gives the song an almost instant flavor and zing in its style and while it does feel a bit tedious its always been a cunningly written chorus providing a solid musical foundation which in turn helps give an album such as this a dynamic arrangement from beginning to end.

 

3. I Melt into You - It amazes me how a release such as this is put out independently with the simplicity behind the music helping the overall ambiance of this disc. I Melt into You is built upon the same design that The Feeling is with a catchy pop influence being the compelling force behind it, however I think this one is fairly better and could be prospective radio single. Compared to the previous track its not as instantly likeable yet its more grittier and down to earth and really shows maturity from an exceptional songwriter such as Leah.

 

4. Erased  - To some extent this is a departure for the album as Janeen takes things down a notch relying mostly on that sultry voice of hers to work its magic. Erased taps into the blues producing an additional dimension to an already creatively diverse CD. Quite possibly the best singing on the entire album its the repeat factor that will get listeners into the sheer virtuosity of this song and in my opinion you will not able to take in all the emotion in just one listen.


5. Captured in My Own Mind - The upbeat pop/rocker comes back around more effective then before as no doubt in my mind that if given the chance this would be a threat on hit radio airwaves. Unquestionably my personal favorite on this disc every song up to this point has had unique and dynamic choruses to aid in giving the album a compelling diversity this one is no exception to the rule as Leah gives the main chorus an added oomph with her best vocal delivery thus far.

 

6. Our Love Grows Stronger - No surprise move here another twist comes into play and this time around with Janeen exploring a soulful jazz feel. At first listen it was somewhat of a change in pace yet ends up being one of those guilty pleasures which will draw you in on the simple feel good vibe conveyed. I dare anyone who is a music lover to get this release and take a listen to this song and tell me its not that good, it simply can't be said against something this moving.

 

7. You Wasted a Good One - Picks up on the darker tones set by I Can Not Ignore except Janeen and company go into full on rock mode delivering a new aspect in this album's perception with the lyrics being remarkably angrier in demeanor once again showing variation and an intricacy that honestly very few singer/songwriters can achieve on a debut album.

 

8. The Sea You've Cried - Nearly every musical style has been covered so far pop/rock/jazz/blues and now we can add a dash of folk to the list. Just like before new techniques are brought into the fold with the emphasis here being massive harmony vocals and while the whole album has been littered with harmonies this is a full on assault with Leah reaching back with all her might belting out lyrics smoothly and proficiently.

 

9. Strange Days - As the album reaches its final stages the material returns to the simple concoction of humble pop bliss and the now reoccurring dark nature which Janeen sounds her finest on. I really enjoy the combination of the two as its what makes this album sound more consistent, its those two elements battling for supremacy with the lighter pop influence pulling you in as the dark instrumentation offers a more lasting impression.

 

10. I Know - Features more aggression in its delivery and for the first time the pop sensibility that has been the domineering force is now sitting on the backburner. Even though the guitars have been an intricate detail throughout this CD it seems they have more substance here complimenting Janeen's unrefined vocals flawlessly.

 

11. Time is Never Wasted - The title track is one more expressive jazz piece incorporating a piano to form a surreal marvel of balladry and pure allure. A prime example of tugging at the heartstrings and making the listener undergo every emotion articulated in the lyrics Time is Never Wasted exploits great sorrow and sadness with inspirational meaning.

 

12. Fallen - Its rather odd that I've yet to hear any low-quality compositions on this entire disc and I'm not complaining as its easier to review a release such as this. There have been several contenders for hit singles already and Fallen can now be added to that list as well, it works on the same formula as others with a memorable chorus, a nice even flow from start to finish, and a great structure. About the only low point for Fallen is not getting the acknowledgement it so rightfully deserves yet on the other hand I feel it might be to good for radio mainstream.

 

13. Wine of Consciousness (Bonus Track) - Everything draws to a close in the mentality where variation has assisted in keeping the CD appealing to all music lovers with an ear for consistency, changing styles, and numerous musical techniques. Honestly I didn't really get into this track as much as the previous twelve, I'm not saying its terrible it just in my view doesn't convey the passion that the rest of the album has.

The Rundown:

Ah, the power of the internet... Without a doubt the elite promotional tool out there today I mean forget about television, radio, or the current standard of the industry if you are a opened minded music lover who values quality and you have a computer with a internet connection the world can be your oyster. Over the last few years its been intriguing watching the contemporary music environment dissolve into a cesspool of so called artistry which to this very day is still being thrown every which way. Its to a certain extent where true variation and quality are rarely found with the masses are force fed everything from all genres choking it down with barely enough room to breathe let alone make a decision on what to like. For myself I've had to take several steps backwards over the last few years to find my bearings while not conforming to mainstream just because someone tells me to like a certain artist as they're the current flavor of the month. I tend to think that for those of us who explore the deepest sanctums of music reformulating ours tastes, its like a child learning to walk at first its unstable discovering your settings but once you have it down your hunger to explore intensifies.

 

The indie scene has been a realm I've been exploring for several months now and I'm sure some might ask: Why devote time looking for artists in the independent territory? And my answer is simply: Why not? Logically this is where the future of the industry is with artists putting out the music they want and not being conformed to sound a certain way or having to bend over backwards for labels to get their way. I'd like to think the only downside is not every indie artist out there will have the experience to pull off a stellar album but thanks to the power of the internet I've managed to stumble across some that show the world that they have what it takes to make it and are not afraid to take the proper risks to make a name for themselves.

 

Out of the numerous up and coming artists I've listened to over the past few months Janeen Leah has caught my attention as one of the most gifted singer/songwriters to come into the independent scene. Her serene voice mixed with the ability to compose sophisticated pop tunes, that convey every emotion from zealous rockers to heartfelt love songs, is what makes Janeen's debut Time Is Never Wasted an album that will make you appreciate what good music is truly about.

 

+'s (Positives):

+ Raw Production: This album has some of the most flawless production I've ever heard in an independent release. The vocal mixes are clean and crisp but not to overpowering and the guitars are natural and don't sound distorted which is a rarity now of days.

 

+ Music For Everyone: Janeen has made sure to cover all the bases here whether your looking for a bit of rock or have a knack for soulful blues with a dash of jazz this release features a wide variety of material.

 

-'s (Negatives):

- Nearly Perfect Except: The last song Wine Of Consciousness although a cool bonus in my opinion took away from the album. As a bonus its a nice addition but I just didn't feel it fit the mood of other songs.

Overall:

Every so often its nice to escape your conventional standard of listening to music and take chances to see what else is out there. While exploring my new home away from home myspace.com I've been fortunate to stumble upon many up and coming artists with a great sound but recently one caught my ear and I haven't been able to stop listening to her as she processes an incredible talent as a lyricist and the ability to hold listeners in the palm of her hand with gripping vocals that will undeniably help open many doors for her. The artist I'm speaking about is Janeen Leah and while you may ask who she is it hasn't taken long for word of mouth to catch on with many making comparisons to artists such as Sarah McLachlan, Tori Amos and Norah Jones. Although being compared to three huge musicians is a bold statement and will get you some recognition trying to live up to one, let alone three, who have defined a genre is near impossible. Making such statements and comparisons can be very risky because a majority of the time people will say you can't compare an up and coming artists to those who set the bar. I mean sure there will be a whole slue of those who will imitate the trendsetters and state being influenced by them but there is a fine line between sounding like a particular artist and having a distinctive sound to call your own.

 

Luckily Janeen doesn't allow herself to come off sounding exactly like Sarah, Tori, or Norah. At times she does drop in some hints towards them but for the most part Janeen has a sound that is more live and organic that expresses a consistent raw attitude throughout the entire disc. Like many she conveys her thoughts and feelings extremely well and while all artists can harness their emotions through song Janeen has several aces up her sleeve that make her stand out more then the average musician. The first is she doesn't throw everything out there at once timing is everything and she makes the listener adjust to every song with diversity, not all songs will be instant for every set of ears yet that is what makes things work so well the flow of the material will jump from one extreme to another and back down again. Second, she knows exactly how to build on a song as key ingredients such as well thought-out lyrics, melody, and a unrelenting drive factor in at all the right intervals not being overdone or forced upon listeners in rapid succession like the traditional methods of catchy songwriting. Lastly the level of professionalism on this album is set by genuine talent there are no over exaggerated performances or glitzy dynamics, its top rate musicianship first and foremost and that is what music lovers value most... An artist who can hold her own and Janeen Leah does it like no other.

 

Time Is Never Wasted truly fits this album as Janeen has wasted little time making a name for herself, if this is only the beginning of things to come then I personally can't wait to see her grow and mature even more. One thing is certain if your looking for an album to get you away from the headache of conventional trends then do yourself a favor and pick up this release it offers a bit more substance from a beautifully gifted artist who isn't afraid to put all her heart and soul into her music.

Final Rating For "Janeen Leah - Time Is Never Wasted":

    1 Points = Transitions / Order
    1 Point = Fun Factor
    1 Point = Instruments / Vocal Sound
    1 Point = Writing / Lyrics
    0.95 Points = Overall Design / Feel


    Overall Total: 4.95/5
  

 

Favorite Songs: Captured in My Own Mind, Fallen, I Know,  I Can Not Ignore, Our Love Grows Stronger
 

For more on Janeen Leah visit the following websites: www.janeenleah.com - www.myspace.com/janeenleah

 

Time Is Never Wasted Can Be Purchased At: www.cdbaby.com/cd/janeenleah/