Difference between revisions of "Carolyn Arends"

Revision as of 18:47, 4 September 2006

Feel Free, Carolyn's sophomore effort, is best summed up by the artist herself: "Folk meets rock head-on, and nobody gets hurt." The girl next door has moved downtown. Our sweet little Carolyn has become a bona fide rock 'n' roll queen. Inspired by Dr. Seuss' Oh, The Places You'll Go (Random House), assisted by some very creative musicians (Gordon Kennedy, Eric Darken and Phil Madeira to name a few), and produced by none other than Brown Bannister, Arends has electrified her poetry and created a spunky, folk/rock/pop hybrid, buckling up her deep thoughts for a wild, rollercoaster ride.

From "Do What You Do," which puts a new spin on "letting go and letting God," to "New Year's Day," which provides a big dose of comfort to those who procrastinate, to the whimsical, insightful tribute to friendship in "Feel Free," Arends paints in broad, essential strokes. The colors are loud, the images original, and the overall effect is inspiring. If there is one drawback to the project it would be that Arends' soft but honest vocals seem to be dueling with the music... and losing at times. Lyrically, she's far too valuable to risk going unheard, despite the imaginative, electric vibe. Feel Free is flying-down-the-road -with-the-stereo-crankin' music from one of Christian music's finest singer/songwriters. She's louder, a little more gritty, a little more liberated, but she's still the girl you once knew.

-Melissa Riddle

1997 CCM Communications.

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http://www.ccmmagazine.com/reviews/441.aspx