k.d. lang - Invincible Summer

The k.d. lang who played tribute to Patsy Cline seems a millennium away from the smooth, pop-infused chanteuse on this album. Glowing with happiness and lovey bliss, this lush album is dripping with the kind of bright, slick production that hasn't seen much light since the Brill Building's heyday. Swelling strings, electronic bubbles and warbles, and the occasional mandolin combine to create a sound that manages to evoke a warm feeling of nostalgia without sounding retro. Topping it all off is lang's smooth-as-maple-syrup voice, which shows even greater range than before, occasionally issuing the bell-like tones more often heard from fellow Canadians Jane Siberry and Sarah McLachlan. If there is a fault to this album, it's that it's too smooth; while the listener is surfing these waves of happiness and cushiony pop, an occasional desire for edges and bones surfaces. While "The Consequences of Falling," "Love's Great Ocean," and "Simple" are all fine songs, this recording also lacks the kind of hooky, knockout singles that have been featured on her best albums. ~ Stacia Proefrock, All Music Guide

Name Credits Abe Laboriel, Jr. Vocals, Drums Abraham Laboriel Bass, Guitar, Vocals Alex Gifford Vocal Arrangement Andy Ackland Assistant Engineer Armen Garabedian Violin Ben Mink Viola, String Arrangements, Keyboards, Violin Berj Garabedian Violin Bob Ludwig Mastering Bob Peterson Violin Damian leGassick Producer, Guitar, String Arrangements, Keyboards, Brass Arrangement Daniel Smith Cello David Kahne Mixing, Producer David Piltch Loop, Guitar (Baritone), Bass, Moog Bass, Cornet, Guitar, Mandolin, Whistle (Human), Keyboards David Stenske Viola Denyse Buffum Viola Eric White Editing, Drum Programming, Digital Editing Gayle Levant Harp Greg Leisz Pedal Steel James Stone Assistant Engineer Jason Mauza Engineer Jeri Heiden Art Direction, Design Joel Derouin Violin John Friesen Cello John Fumo Trumpet John Heiden Art Direction, Design John Smith Mixing, Engineer John Wittenberg Violin Johnny "Hammond" Smith Mixing Jon Hassell Trumpet Jon Lewis Trumpet Jon Stewart Guitar Just Loomis Photography Larry Corbett Cello Mario Diaz de Leon Violin Peter Kent Violin Rick Baptist Trumpet Rob Brill Mixing Rusty Anderson Guitar Smokey Hormel Guitar Suzie Katayama Cello Teddy Borowiecki Accordion, Keyboards Tony Flores Assistant Engineer Vicki Miskolczy Viola Wendy Melvoin Guitar