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Janey Summer

Along the Way

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User Ratings (1)

Almost immediately Concrete Blonde vocalist Johnette Napolitano isrecalled in the opening cut, "Between Two Worlds." Janey Summer'sdark, husky voice will provide those nostalgic for late '80s-early '90smodern-rock radio a much-needed fix. It helps, too, that the guitarsand keyboards are colored with a Gothic tinge. To the younger crowd, itmay seem like Summer is summoning the shadow-laden Evanescence;however, to Gen-X alt veterans, the point of comparison will certainlybe Concrete Blonde, a group that I don't believe found a sizeableaudience in Summer's U.K. homeland. The lyrics on "Between TwoWorlds" will appeal to the Goth set as well as it refers to spiritualstruggle between the strength of faith ("And one of me knows eternallife") and doubt arising from suffering ("The pain and the heartache thatcomes/From a look into the eyes of hell"). But unlike many artistsexploring the forbidden corners of our daily existence, Summer isn'twallowing in despair; neither the words nor the music plunge intosuffocating existential waters. Rather, the tone is questioning, nothopeless.As soon as the doomy unrequited love of "Flame" follows it, you beginto think that this might be a Gothic rock record, albeit one with AOR guitars. "Flame" is slower but it's still mysterious andsomewhat bleak like a crestfallen Heart. Along with "Between Two Worlds," it creates a two-fisted knockout punch on the CD.However, Summer switches gears by the third song, "Seeing You." Introduced by melodically jangling guitars that eventuallyopen their way to rock-solid electric riffs, "Seeing You" casts off the enigmatic shades of the first two tunes but remainshook-laden and memorable, providing diversity to the mix. "Kept Me Waiting" broadens Summer's stylistic turns evenfurther, employing some deliciously bluesy licks."You Rock (My Chemistry)" sports some killer glammy guitars while "Sometimes" opens with a freaky carnival-likeatmosphere that wouldn't be out of place in a Tim Burton flick then kicks into heavenly Evanescence overdrive.

Tracklist:

1. Between Two Worlds2. Flame3. Seeing You4. Lie Along the Way5, Kept Me Waiting6, Stranded7, You Rock (My Chemistry)8, Sometimes

Release Date: 01/01/2008

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excellent

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Rate ItRecommended by Reviewer:

Concrete Blonde -BloodlettingEvanescence -FallenHeart -HeartThe Cult -Sonic Temple

excellent

robertmichaelsutton

(3 Reviews)2008-11-15 |1 comments| 107 views

Summary:

Reminiscent of Concrete Blonde, Evanescence, andHeart, U.K. singer/songwriter Janey Summer balances Goth-tinged alternative with straightforward yet compelling rockers Email this Review to a Friend

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innerdark

Comments: 743

11.15.08

not bad, but in need of more detail and the last paragraph's just left... hanging. A weak conclusionis better than no conclusion at all

Digging:

Protest the Hero - Fortress

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