Carolyn Arends - This Much I Understand

Tuesday 1st February 2000
Carolyn Arends - This Much I Understand
Carolyn Arends - This Much I Understand

STYLE: Pop
RATING 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 210-56
LABEL: Reunion 0234100042
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RRP: £4.99


Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Canadian songstress Carolyn Arends has always said that the whole of life is potential inspiration for songs and after her debut album was released I challenged her to write a song about going to the toilet. With every new release I wonder_ nope, one listen to this album and it's clear inspiration has come from elsewhere. Oh well, maybe next time! For her third album Carolyn has pitched the sound somewhere between the roots of her debut and the rock of her second project. Warm and friendly, her songwriting touches the deepest parts of life so you get the humour of the struggles of a bad day in "Life Is Long" as well as the insightful "Life And Death" and the celebration of the birth of her son Benjamin in "We've Been Waiting For You". If you haven't yet discovered her, the brilliant thing about Carolyn Arends is the cre­ativity of her lyrics which always strike such powerful chords when I hear her music. Sound wise, it's a straight blend of rock'n'roots with catchy choruses and plenty of clever bits to keep your attention! The album itself was born out of an emotional roller coaster that Carolyn has recently been destined to ride. At one point recording was halted because of voice problems and she wondered whether she would be able to sing again. Happily, it worked out and in the end, this is singer/songwriter heaven. If you want intelligent, insightful, imagina­tive songs that are the stuff of life, here it is! If you want songs about sitting on toilets, you'll have to wait until next time (maybe).

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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Reader Comments

Posted by Don in state of Delaware @ 18:51 on Dec 1 2011

I had seen the video for "Go With GOD", and I connected with it almost immediately. Right away, the opening # "Happy", grabs the listener; hit is all over this song. This canandian songstress delivers quite a cd of passionable works to hear; I had been taken by her voice since her debut release in the summer of 1995, and now again by her third cd in March of 1999. This 12 songset offers wonderment to all who take the time to listen to it at it's full length.
It is obvious by some of the songs on the cd, that Carolyn is enjoying motherhood, she gave birth to a son; evident in "Surprised By Joy" , "Even The Wallflowers", and "We've Been Waiting For You". "Surprised By Joy" is highly commendable.
I love the hook " I believe, I believe... " on "Life Is Long". The cd title is taken from "In Good Hands",
I love this song immensely!; wonderful harmony provided by Spencer Welch. GOD Bless! -Don



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