Susan at her best!
K. A. Smith | Santa Cruz, CA USA | 01/31/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"You never know what you're going to get from Susan Aglukark. She is continually reinventing herself (which is one thing I love about her; she always pushes herself) and all her CDs sound different. I think she has struck gold on this one.
Overall, I would vaguely describe this album as her ballad album, not that there aren't upbeat songs (there are, and all have a strong percussive foundation), but most of the CD is tenderly or joyously emotional, and some songs are clearly romantic, and some sweet, which I haven't really seen from her before. The music is very "together" and cohesive, which was something I feel "Big Feeling," her previous release, lacked overall. Every song has a feeling of individuality and melodiousness that carrys the listener through with confidence. There are no harsh or jarring pieces in ths album: everything sings and dances gloriously.
Susan has maintained her distinctive style of percussion (heard so well on "Unsung Heroes" and "This Child") that really helps hold the songs together and keep the music moving, but the lyric quality of the songs on this album is what really sets it apart. I love EVERY song, which is not something I can say about Susan's other albums (even though I adore and own them all).
Susan's vocals have been resurrected from the abstract poetry found on "Big Feeling" and return to their follow-able quality that "Unsung Heroes" has, telling clearer stories and themes. Her voice is lovely and strong on this album. I think she's singing in a really good place for herself. The back up vocals are also lovely. Occasionally her vocals get a little buried by the music, but not so much that it's distressing. She has included some of her native language--which I always love hearing--on some of the songs, though mostly as back-up lyrics. I wish there was more because I love the sound of the language, Inuktitut, I believe.
All the songs are good and some are fabulous! I think this is some of Susan's best work and I completely LOVE this album. If you liked any of Susan's other albums, get this music. If I had to place this album in a genre, it would have to go somewhere between world, pop, rock, and easy listening, or maybe new age. Susan is impossible to pigeon-hole and has such a beautiful and unique style all her own. Five stars."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1