Jeannine Hebb - Whileaway
2011, Jeannine Hebb
2011, Jeannine Hebb
Jeannine Hebb has one of the bestpure voices in Indie Rock. Her stunning debut EP Too Late To Change Meannounced the Brooklyn based singer/songwriter to the world four years ago. Itwouldn't have been surprising to see Hebb regress a bit on her second recordedeffort, but Whileaway finds Hebb leaping forward rather than steppingback. Her penetrating voice, distinctive melodies and emotionally intelligentlyrics make for an unforgettable combination. Comparisons to Fiona Apple, AlexaRay Joel and Tori Amos may seem appropriate at times through Whileaway,but it becomes eminently clear before long that Jeannine Hebb's sound and styleare entirely her own.
Whileaway opens with "Call Him Out", a cute number writtenearly in heartbreak. She wonders why no one intervenes. The effort isintriguing, and has the feel of a pop-opera or new Broadway composition. Hebbcreates and enlivens a character here that's entirely believable in herself-pity and self-victimization. The melody is entirely memorable, and Hebbsings with a voice that could grace any stage. "I Believe" is asoulful ballad that shows off the many colors and gorgeous tone of her voice."Back To Me Again" is written from a position of power, with aformer, misbehaving beau trying to his way back into her life. The edgy rockarrangement almost seems to hide a country heart, but Hebb builds a wonderfullyintricate chorus that will keep your toes tapping.
"Tell Me No" shows awonderfully human bit of dysfunction, wrapped up in a theatrical aria that'sabsolutely unforgettable. The combination of neurotic need and honestvulnerability plays out perfectly against the simple piano-based arrangement."Heartache" deals with the darkness that follows a relationship, withthe resolution that she won't make the same mistake again. Once again, Hebbcarries a stage presence into the song, and a diva-like voice that wends itsway through the vaguely Mediterranean melody. Edge and beauty come togetherhere, like the brittle, icy rim of a puddle on a frosty morning."Don't" continues to dance on the emotional ledge, in that dark placebetween capitulation and recovery. Strength grows in the chorus, where shefights back against the causes of her heartbreak. Hebb's sense of compositionhere is amazing, using all of the instruments in her palette to build sound inwaves that crash over the listener much as the emotions that inspired the songmight once have engulfed her.
"These Days" is amelancholy exploration told in the form of a personal ballad. Hebb's (or hercharacter's) personal thoughts born into song alongside a lovely, fluid melody,offer a wonderfully quiet yet powerful moment of pure emotion, and allowlisteners a glimpse into Hebb's upper vocal range as well. "Goodbye"takes on a slightly edgier feel, as Hebb begins to separate herself from thesource of her heartache. Unlike the songs that came before, there's more of ananalytical slant this time around, as Hebb explains her reasons for going. Inthe process she builds gorgeous song architecture that befits the sprouting ofnew chutes into a bare emotional spring that must follow every winter.
"Tragedy" is arelationship post-mortem in the medium of bluesy pop. Hebb belts and croons herway through the moment, speaking not out of anger but out of fact. The dynamicarrangement is too complex for pop radio, but is very appealing nonetheless."Low" alternates a workman-like verse with an airy, one-word chorus.The split is interesting, and the neo-baroque glue that holds the twodistinctive pop styles together will keep listeners very much on their toes.Hebb closes with "Make It Right", a dark confessional that throws allof the previous resolution in doubt. What's appeared to be a general migrationtoward healing is left in the emotional turmoil of one who almost made itthrough, but is on the verge of getting sucked back in to the relationship thatstarted it all. The personal appeal here is compelling, and Hebb delivers itwith a voice and presence that combine all of the personal glamour of abig-time pop star and all of the pastiche of a veteran of the stage.
Whileaway is the sort of album you park in your CD/MP3 player and playagain and again. Jeannine Hebb shows that her debut EP was anything but a flukewith a performance that is subtle and complex beyond her years, both musicallyand lyrically. With a voice that would be welcome on any stage, anywhere and anamazing depth of songwriting ability, it's hard to imagine Jeannine Hebb asbeing anything less than a star one day. Whileaway is nothing less thana Wildy’s World Certified Desert Island Disc.
Rating: 5 Stars(Out of 5)
Learn more about Jeannine Hebb at www.jeanninehebb.com or www.myspace.com/jeanninehebb.
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