Jana McCall. Quite a gem.
Manda | North Carolina | 06/05/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'd agree that it's along the lines of the Mazzy Star psychedelic folk sound, but this has a bit more tempo and edge in terms of the music. The songs swirl and churn while Jana's longing, mournful voice haunts you deep within. My favorite tracks are "Today", "Again and Again", "Deep in Blue", and "Denied". I love putting on this album when I just want to relax and, oddly enough, find some comfort."
Downbeat but Comforting, worth buying
Mr. Scott T. Allen | Naperville, IL | 10/23/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"At the prices for a used copy of this CD on Amazon, you can't miss. After buying it several months ago, it went on the shelf and just now I was listening to [...]and heard Jana singing again. Really good stuff.
Many solid songs. It's too bad Amazon doesn't have "samples" for this CD but if you create a "Jana McCall station" on Pandora you should get a few selections. I'll skip the adjectives used by other reviewers, except to agree that this CD is downbeat but somehow comforting. Appended: I wrote above review approx. 2 years ago and find this CD wears well, I'd give it "5 stars" if I could change them (but can't)."
Dreamy Explorations
Mr. Scott T. Allen | 08/24/1998
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Jana McCall's first solo album is awash with sparse, uncluttered musical structures that mingle with her plaintive vocals, evoking an ethereal impression which lingers like a pleasant memory. Her haunting, mesmerizing songs are the complete antithesis of her previous musical affiliation with the outrageous Seattle grunge grrrls of Dickless. The album took several years to complete during which time she underwent major life changes--moving to the small town of Ellensburg, Washington and giving birth to her son, but the album plays with unexpected cohesiveness. McCall worked with a number of collaborators to find the perfect sound, the only constant being her drummer, Mark Pickerel (formerly of the Screaming Trees and currently with Truly.) Two cover songs appear together in the middle of the album, Gun Club's "Mother of Earth" and Action Now's "I Want You." These songs serve as an intermission between her original material, which is infinitely superior in conveying her serene style. Dreamy explorations on "Deep In Blue" and "Denied" cover topics of deceit and anguish and yet a certain detachment from personal pain permeates the lyrics which allows her to float above such corporeal matters. Jana McCall's solo debut is a beautiful, tranquilly spatial album that inspires repeated listening."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1