How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Not applicable
Value for Money
Good
Advantages:
Some purely amazing piano based tracks, an incredible voice in many places
Disadvantages:
Some rubbish pop songs that cheapen the album considerably, her voice in places
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
You may not heard of her by name but I can guarantee that if you are a fan of pop music, or have listened to the popular radio stations within the past five years, you will have heard a song that Canadian singer/songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk has worked on with other artists. Most notably, Gwen Steffani's 'Rich Girls' - which she admitted to coming up with the outrageously deep chorus - and Avril Lavinge's second album, 'Under My Skin'.
A classically trained pianist and accomplished guitarist in her own right, I originally discovered Chantal's work through my love for her husband, Raine Maida's band, Our Lady Peace. If you are perhaps expecting me to say that her genre is alternative in nature, than be prepared for a shock; her music is the personification of what many female singer/songwriters are about; slushy ballads with a few anger trips thrown in for good measure and songs about ordinary lives in general.
Although she undeniably is almost unheard of over here, across the pond is a big deal for the genre of adult contemporary music. Since the debut album of 'Under These Rocks and Stone', which went double platinum in Canada, her tracks have often been used for television and movie promotions, including MTV shows such as Laguna Beach and the film, Uptown Girl. She has also been asked to cover some of the worlds biggest ever tracks, including The Beatles' 'In My Life' for the programme 'Province'.
After her second album, 'Colour Moving And Still' was released in 1999, which saw her working with her soon to be husband and some members of his band, 'What If It All Means Something?' finally hit shelves in 2002 with minimal amounts of mainstream success in the US.
I got this album for Christmas the other year although, in all truthfulness, I was looking forward to receiving the 2006 release of 'Ghost Stories'; it had more tracks on it that I was familiar with, including the indecisively good 'All I Can Do' - a track which I'm still unsure whether I should love or not. Alas, beggars can't be choosers so I decided to keep quiet and give her third album a listen.
TRACKLISTING Being the second album to use Maida's own song writing techniques in quite a prolific way, many of the tracks on 'What If It All Means Something?' do sound very female orientated; male listeners would probably like it but I don't consider it to be that kind of album that's overtly an essential male listener. Featuring 12 tracks, one of those being a cover, many of them are written with different artists other than herself and Raine:
1. In This Life (3.51 minutes) 2. Time (4.07 minutes) 3. What If It All Means Something? (4.03 minutes) 4. Julia (3.43 minutes) 5. Flying Home (3.18 minutes) 6. Weight Of The World (3.33 minutes) 7. Waiting (4.29 minutes) 8. Ready For Your Love (3.38 minutes) 9. Morning Light (3.57 minutes) 10. Miss April (3.38 minutes) 11. Turn The Page (3.47 minutes) 12. Feels Like Home (4.41 minutes)
Before I begin breaking each track down, I do feel it's important to point out one of Chantal's biggest assets and liabilities all rolled into one; her vocal performance. It varies from each track and at some moments her voice is as delicate and warm as Andrea's from the Corrs and others as cumbersome and hectic as Alanis Morissette. Usually, the change of vocal pace and sound would be a good thing and to add different textures to various songs. However, as you will discover, on many occasions it simply doesn't work and lets down an entire track needlessly.
Track #1: In This Life With her voice a little deeper and huskier than on many of the albums numbers, 'In This Life' couldn't have actually been a better first track for this album. In fact, I'd go as far as saying it should have been the title track; lyrically, the words create a very uplifting story of hope through an undisclosed destiny. With different scenarios played throughout the music video to show the distance between the vocalist and the video's lead character, this is where the slushy part applies which is only amplified by the solid, classical sounding piano beginning. The mix of the acoustic and subtly raging electric guitars make this one an understated masterpiece and a credit to Chantal's individual song writing efforts.
Marks out of 10: 9.5 - a song filled with intentional emotion that isn't in your face or over the top; just utterly meaningful. Although my one complaint would be that other artists could replicate this song, I think you'd fail to find anyone that could sing such a unique love song in such a passionate way. The breakdown at the middle eight is nothing short of awesome and makes the words seem that much more powerful.
Track #2: Time Being on of Chantal's more recognisable tracks, having featured on Uptown Girl the movie and Laguna Beach, it's clear to see why on a first listen; it's a euphoric number that escapes any darker moments almost seamlessly. It's a song based around her fascination with a certain someone and after re-examining their relationship, realises that he's worth the risk but she's asking him to wait for her decision and be patient. The orchestra in the background, which is at its most prominent at the chorus, makes for a much grander sounding song than 'In This Life', making it an entirely different song and not just a repetition of one that is slightly better.
Marks out of 10: 9 - This was one of the occasions where her voice drops from the deeper end of the scale into a much gentler, rhythmic sound effortlessly. It's got a certain charm to it that makes it a purely intriguing listen and demonstrates her talents on the ivories perhaps better than any other track on this album, with the exception of the first one.
Track #3: What If It All Means Something? Going back to basics with the piano and a drum kit, the albums title track is another love song on the surface but is quite diverse; I think many people could identify with it on many levels. The question and answer format within the lyrics makes the song a different listen entirely to its predecessors; it takes a much more inquisitive nature to heart, as opposed to being a statement of love or at least the promise of it. It's one of the songs on the album that benefits from its simplicity; on far too many does she go overboard with the doubling up of the vocals but here, it works fine without all the technicalities.
Marks out of 10: 9 - a soothing listen, but perhaps questionable as the album's title track. Its lack of defining moment may make it seem complete as it is very much on the soft, much more level pace but I personally like this as it shows confidence from Chantal and her song writing partner husband on this one. Definitely the offering's most vulnerable number.
Track #4: Julia Starting off with gentle vocals, it soon translates into a huskier sound. I like the way that the song ventures away from the first person; Chantal's creation of a confused girl who is used by anyone that can get to her seems oddly tragic but fails to dwell on this with the higher vocal efforts that become distorted at some points to almost sound like a horrid memory. Thankfully, the cheery music, which roughly sticks within the organic branding of guitar, drums and of course the beloved piano saves 'Julia' from depression.
Marks out of 10: 8.5 - perhaps the first real pop song on the album because of the piano's non invasive moments. Being of a slightly faster pace, it works well in conjunction with the lyrics.
Track # 5: Flying Home Also known as Brenda's Song, 'Flying Home' is clearly about someone close to the song writer who has passed away. Written by herself, the haunting concoction of piano and tender vocals makes this one a little tearful, especially when the song completely breaks down at the end but it's so momentous, especially when you read the words separately but it does seem a little premature to have something that verges on drastically melancholic as the fifth track.
Marks out of 10: 9.5 - heartfelt and loving, 'Flying Home' is a beautiful tribute to who ever it is written about. It maintains an optimistic attitude underneath the surface but its ballad like tempo does make it one of the more intentionally thought provoking tracks on the album. It has a real beauty to it, which is only improved by Chantal's voice.
Track #6: Weight Of The World This is the first track on 'What If It All Means Something?' that I fail to like. I never have, right from the first listen; the maracas at the start makes it sound like it would fit more comfortably on a world music album but from a Canadian? Possibly not. This is the song that I was thinking about when comparing Chantal's voice to Morrisette's; it dips aggressively in and out of the sublime softness to harsher tones. It comes across as being a bit of a karaoke track; naff because of its overtly positive attitude. Yuk!
Marks out of 10: 3.5 - overproduced and - I hate to say it - tacky, it just doesn't work for me. I'd like to count up how many times people have used the term 'Weight of the World' in a song. It's such a shame that Chantal couldn't make the term sound at least a little original.
Track #7: Waiting As Maida' interjects on this track, 'Waiting' improves the album's standard somewhat. The song makes much more sense than the last one, where it simply talks about moving on from the bad experiences from the times before in your life, rather than hanging on to them and let them keep dragging you down. However, whilst it was a nice message in principal, the music overshadowed most of her vocal performance to make the story seem almost insignificant which is a shame as it is a far more valuable track than the last one.
Marks out of 10: 7 - dragging a keyboard out to create more of a pop record than many of the other tracks on this album, 'Waiting' should have been one of the quirkiest and most notable numbers on here. Alas, it comes over as a little too much and fails to obtain that sort of impact.
Track #8: Ready For Your Love After a couple of dodgy ones, 'Ready For Your Love' sounds like something that would be more suitable on a Mariah Carey album; Chantal tries to make the vocals seem much more challenging than they should have been, and it comes over as being pretentious rather than being well sung. The backing vocals make it seem cheap and unnecessarily so; the tune did enough of that itself! It sounds like the kind of music you'd hear in a self-conscious Chinese restaurant, where its owners are trying to keep up with English culture by adding a similar sort of flowing tune to a pop song. Big mistake.
Marks out of 10: - sorry if the Chinese restaurant analogy was a bit strange but that is honestly how it came over to me. One of the songs that you can't fail to take notice of because it is so radically different to anything else on here; it just doesn't fit with my initial perception of her music as it sounds too aware of making a pop record.
Track #9: Morning Light 'Morning Light' doesn't even try and break away from the corniness of the previous track. It could win an award for being the most meddled with song on here though; Gregg Wattenberg, the producer, has clearly overdone it with the double - or perhaps triple - tracking of Chantal's vocals and it's a shame no one told him so. It should have been her third album's most romantic spectacle, and the lyrics alone should have been enough of a reminder of this. Alas, there was a distinct air of arrogance include here, which made 'Morning Light' seem desperate and over the top.
Marks out of 10: 4 - I can't decide whether the lyrics would have been better if they'd just been accompanied by a piano and one vocal tracking or not. The Dresden Dolls could have punked this up and made it a little darker but more impressive but it was just spoilt through one way or another by Chantal and Wattenberg.
Track #10: Miss. April Back to writing with her life partner, 'Miss April's' initial tune starts off in a similar way to some of the music on Final Fantasy VIII! After that, it takes advantage of an electric guitar which unfortunately doesn't stay put throughout 'Miss April', a tale about a Hollywood starlet who lost her 'Playboy body' and celebrity status. It's very much a tongue in cheek story about how scandal can ruin someone in the public eye and how their perception of real life and fame and fortune becomes so distorted and misunderstood. It shows a different kind of flare than any of the other tracks on 'What If It All Means Something?' has dared to do and it pays off after multiple disappointments.
Marks out of 10: 8 - the tune is a bit generic but the lyrics are sung so innocently that it may take the driest sense of humour to get them in a less than sincere tone on the first couple of listens. Naturally, I got it straight away and loved it.
Track #11: Turn The Page Having mentioned The Dresden Doll's earlier, it leads very well into the overall presentation of 'Turn The Page'; Chantal's vocals sink into a depression that matches the lyrics perfectly, forming a sad story of a relationship which lacks any degree of trust but that she must eventually surrender to, in spite of the fact that the other person will never change for her benefit. The solemn piano against the deeper shades of her voice make this a rewarding albeit melancholic ending song to the album.
Marks out of 10: 9 - it doesn't revel in the idea of being over produced and fully appreciates Chantal's finer vocal work. 'Turn The Page' is one of those songs that sadly many will relate to at some point in their lives. The fact that the lyrics have been left almost incomplete allows anyone's twist to be included here and is a great end to her song writing work on this album.
Track #12: Feels Like Home Written by Randy Newman, who was inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame in 2002, 'Feels Like Home' works very well with the stronger elements of her voice; it brings out the best in that side of her vocals without being overbearing or ear threatening. It's one of the most genuinely brilliant tracks on here; it doesn't attempt to be too much or take over from the fine moments earlier on in the album. It knows its place as a good, bonus addition to the album and ends on a much more peaceful note than 'Turn The Page' would have done otherwise.
Marks out of 10: 9 - the album ends as it started; with a adoring, well sung song that makes sense and doesn't try to over do it. The melodic piano which builds itself up confidently with the gradual addition of other instruments confirms to any doubters than Chantal - with the right song and direction - can sing. Incredibly well, in fact.
CD EXTRA FEATURES As my copy came with a the promise of some exclusive extras if you load the CD into your CD-ROM drive, I loaded the disk and initially wasn't that hopeful; there were only four options - including the well deserved 'quit' option - which has been used so many times its unreal - the others included a short little video and photo section all about Chantal. It's nothing earth shattering or even that interesting but still makes you feel like you've got something a bit extra here.
There was also the option of visiting Chantal's 'secret site'. Intrigued, I clicked on the link only to find that I am not authorized to view the page. Considering the CD was released in 2002, this is hardly surprising as I have had other CD's and DVD's with the same promise but once you load them up, it simply doesn't work. The final link is to Chantal's ordinary - and rarely updated - website which you could easily access from Google.
The opening page features a similar picture of Chantal from the front of the album's sleeve. It's fairly easy to navigate but - unless you are selecting the 'quit' option - it takes its own sweet time about doing anything. All in all, perhaps not worth the effort of uploading.
PRESENTATION Being an album full of some exceptional tracks and some that were very much mundane, it's clear that the artwork could have gone either way too. Unfortunately, it went in the bad direction and looks cheap and nasty. Well, nasty was perhaps a bit harsh, but it's certainly not going to win designer Gail Marowitz any awards.
I think it's trying to present Chantal in a much more sexual light; there are countless (ok, four) pictures of her either strolling across the beach or stretching. Why? No one knows. I have asked around but many are at a loss as to what to make of it. Perhaps she fancied a bit of yoga? Anyway, I digress...
The most important thing to remember is that, whilst the front cover is shockingly bad, that there are song lyrics included. On tracks like 'Morning Light', they may be needed so you can at least attempt to understand what she is singing.
PRICE AND AVAILIABILITY As my dear Brother gave this album to me, I have no idea how much he paid for it. If you are looking out for the copy which has the extras combined on the CD, than you can purchase it online for the following prices:
Amazon.co.uk - £5.98 (eligible for free super saver delivery) HMV.com - £5.99 (free delivery) Cdwow.co.uk - £8.99 (fee delivery)
OVERALL Chantal's third album could cause you a moral dilemma after the first listen; the good tracks are outstanding, and obviously pieces that have been carefully considered and made to fit the atmosphere intended. The best examples of this are undeniably the first and last tracks; they still sound stunning, particularly with 'In This Life' after so many listens and they certainly allow 'What If It All Means Something' to begin and end on the ultimate of highs.
Away from that, you have the abysmal few that would make you question whether you'd bother buying this album at all. 'Ready For Your Love' and 'Weight Of The World' would undoubtedly suit a lesser artist without such a usually unique and impressive vocal range. These surely should have been halted midway through the album as they cheapen it to such an incredible degree to the point where you wonder whether she did create them herself or not. It sounds almost like an entirely different personality to any of the others which alright may have been a good thing to give the offering a little more body, but after you consider the restrained greatness of many of the tracks, it lets the album down considerable.
One other issue is that some of the songs are very dark and moody; 'Flying Home' and 'Turn The Page' might not be the kind of tracks you should listen to if you are in a good move! If you're not, then maybe they'll suit you but you may be forced to skip them for the more enriching numbers like 'In This Life' and 'Miss April'.
It's certainly recommended if you are a fan of piano based pop music, much along the same lines as Vanessa Carlton. If not, this might not be an album you'd enjoy but the fresh yet respectable background of the humble piano, guitars and drums allows for many of the lyrics to shine through on their own without a lot of fuss. On the other strand, the tracks that I personally dislike might be a product of me mainly being a rock music fan so to I may be a little bias in saying that some of these tracks are undoubtedly going to sound off par.
But I'm sure glad I stumbled across the biggest majority of this album.
WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CHANTAL KREVIAZUK?
Visit: www.chantalonline.com (note: no updates since July of last year!) or www.myspace.com/chantalkreviazuk
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