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Christine Crawford - Peacetalks
By Joshua Biggley
(10/04/09)
While Christine Crawford’s latest album, Peacetalks, was tagged as ‘easy listening’ by my uber-controlling laptop, she is far from the lounge lizard set. Crawford’s album does not ask the listener to give too much of themselves, a hallmark of the '80s easy-listening scene, but still manages to offer a pleasant, somewhat hypnotic listening experience, perfect the after-dinner, adult conversation crowd.
Crawford's album, the second from this Nova Scotia artist, starts off strong with the thoughtful lyrics and the slightly funk-infused sound of "How Alive." Though the album quickly falls into a familiar pattern, Crawford is a stand-out vocalist and carries the album with soft melodies and powerful interludes. It is unfortunate that Crawford’s vocals and the instrumentals of her new found band-mates, Mark Adam, Carl Laudadio and George Wallace, seem to compete in many of the tracks. In spite of that shortfall, Crawford continues to do what she does best– deliver a smooth, sultry and, oh-so-sweet sound to her listeners.
"Must Come Down", with its obvious jazz influences, delivers delightfully upbeat and tantalizing sounds to the ears of Crawford’s eager fans. While she is still cutting her teeth as a lyricist, she has enough insight and maturity to play with our emotions and collective memories. "Must Come Down" is no exception, and is one of the stand-out tracks of the album, truly channelling the Crawford of her first album, Rowing in Eden.
Crawford slips back into the ‘easy listening’ sound until reawakening with the seventh track, "Venus In Transit." Again with jazz overtures, which Crawford does so very well, "Venus" shines on mature lyrics and toe-tapping rhythms making it a ‘must-listen’ tune in my book. Crawford continues to deliver engaging and subtle vocals with "Everything in the Stars." Though "Stars" follows after the pattern of many of the other tracks, subdued instrumentals allow Crawford to shine vocally, giving the listener what they came for– Crawford’s beautiful voice.
Overall, Peacetalks does not disappoint and it will find a place in my regular evening playlist, though I’m not sold on the band that, at times, overshadows Crawford. Rowing in Eden, released in 2002, offered more of what listeners really wanted- Crawford’s wonderfully enchanting voice and stirring lyrics. Here’s to the hope that Crawford’s future albums will capture more of that sultry jazz voice that was forced to compete for attention in this album. For now, I will continue to enjoy my relaxing evenings with Peacetalks, try not to think about creepy lounge lizards, and let Crawford sing me into the twilight of the day.
Listen to a sample of "Underneath the Scarecrow."
Related links:
+ Christine Crawford (website)
+ Christine Crawford (MySpace)
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Joshua Biggley is an IT consultant by day, freelance writer and speaker by night. He is married with 4 kids, has chickens in his urban backyard and can often be found in the presence of good food and good books. Orginally from Windsor, Ontario, he is now an Islander-By-Choice and proud of it!
