Carolyn Arends
Carolyn Arends is a songwriter, singer, author and film reviewer for Christianity Today magazine.
One of the most affecting communicators in any genre" - Billboard Magazine Carolyn Arends has released 8 albums and is the author of 2 critically-acclaimed books. 15 of Arends’ songs have become top 10 radio singles on the Canadian pop and US Christian charts. Arends has earned 2 Dove Awards (she is the only Canadian ever to win a Dove Award), 2 Juno Nominations, and was the West Cost Music Awards’ Songwriter of the Year in 2002. In 2003, Arends won 2 Vibe Awards and a Covenant Award for a pair of projects celebrating the adventures, blessings, terrors and miracles of parenthood -- a book and CD both called We’ve Been Waiting For You.
2004 has been an extraordinarily busy and fruitful year for Carolyn, yielding 2 new recordings. Under the Gaze is a delightful, eclectic sonic blend – her signature folksy pop and tender ballads, with tastes of bluegrass and traces of classical touches throughout – featuring the incisive, insightful artist at her literary best. Christmas: An Irrational Season is Arends’ much-anticipated Christmas project, the fruit of a decade-long tradition at Carolyn’s church of having her write an original song each Christmas Eve.
Accolades aside, Arends is known for songs and books that stir the soul, and a warm, engaging style that leave her audiences feeling like they’ve found a new best friend.
“I don’t write songs and books as much as I get ambushed by them,” Arends confesses. “And I write primarily about God because he is what captivates my imagination. The idea that we can know the Creator of the Universe, and that he knows us … I simply can’t think of any more fascinating subject matter.”
Arends graduated from Trinity Western University in Langley, BC with a degree in psychology and English. She lives in Surrey, BC with her husband Mark, six-year-old son Ben, and three-year-old daughter Bethany.
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Review
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.
CCM is a registered trademark of CCM Communications.
http://www.ccmmagazine.com/reviews/441.aspx
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Carolyn's books include:
Carolyn Arends
P.O. Box 74018
Surrey, British Columbia Canada V4N 5H9
e-mail Carolyn Arends
blog: http://www.myspace.com/carolynarends
web site: http://www.carolynarends.com
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