Music Review: Idina Menzel - I Stand
Published February 19, 2008
It sounded intriguing: bring together a mega-talented Broadway star and a mega-talented studio/songwriting wizard to record an album of original music. Idina Menzel, a star of Rent and Wicked (and recently seen on screen in Enchanted), is one of very few Broadway stars of relatively recent vintage to have made the leap beyond Broadway into the wider culture. Producer extraordinaire and songwriter Glen Ballard, the genius other half of the Alanis Morrissette phenomenon of the 1990s, has more recently worked with rock and pop royalty ranging from the Goo Goo Dolls and Shakira to Dave Matthews and Annie Lennox.
As an admirer of both artists, I really wanted to like this CD. Unfortunately, the best I can say about it is that it's produced and arranged really well. Adult contemporary pop is rarely a nursery for originality, so I wasn't expecting anything world-changing or socks-knocking-off. But given Ballard's heavy participation - he co-wrote many of the songs with Menzel - I was hoping for at least a few good tunes. The closing ballad, "Perfume and Promises," is nice. The title track and "Gorgeous" have halfway decent hooks. That's as good as it gets. The songs are so drowned in cliche that "uninspired" seems a kind way to put it. As an album, it's listenable, but only because of the pretty soundscapes.
All Menzel's vocal passion and fireworks and Ballard's studio wizardry can't polish bad, half-hearted, Disneyesque material into something truly shiny. As with Disney's latest Broadway shows, though, this is probably one of those situations where critical reviews mean little. Judging from most of the listener reaction at Amazon, Menzel's fans are out in force, and they love whatever she does.
I can't help it, though. I feel strongly about this. I could walk out onto the street with my eyes closed and in four seconds trip over a songwriter who could write better pop songs than these for Idina Menzel (or any singer). Hugely successful creative artists like Ballard seem to often lose perspective amid all the plaudits and awards, and start to believe that whatever they do is brilliant. And no one's willing to listen objectively and say the emperor has no clothes.
Maybe a star like Menzel, not yet a mature songwriter, needs a collaborator who's hungry to succeed. With the exception of that good ballad at the end, Idina Menzel hasn't been well served here on her first project as a singer-songwriter.
Jon Sobel is Blogcritics' theater editor, reviews NYC theater frequently, and writes a regular round-up of independent music releases. He is also a computer professional, musician, and small-time concert promoter in New York City. (His original band, Whisperado, can be blogcriticized at will, and you can also find him playing bass and singing in the Kings County Blues Band.)- Music Review: Idina Menzel - I Stand
- Published: February 19, 2008
- Type: Review
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Pop, Review
- Writer: Jon Sobel
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Comments on this articleComments
Don't agree with your take on this CD. I think there is only 1 song on it that is a bit over the top and might be too hyped, but I think she does a wonderful job of dramaticizing the issues and beauty of love and relationships. I find these tunes and lyrics floating around in my head during the day. A true sign of "well done" in my book. I hope she starts making another CD right away! Bettie
i completely don't agree with what you've said. every single song on this album was utterly amazing and inspiring. idina put more than her heart and soul into this album and it's full of the most wonderful songs.
looking forward to the next one!!!
xox
I agree on two of the above premises. First, Perfume and Promises is arguably one of the most original and intriguing songs on the album.
And secondly, fans are certainly "out in force." But you have to wonder why these fans are so adamant and loyal to the artist.
It's because Idina Menzel's lyrics are malleable, moving, relevant, familiar, and novel at the same time.
When you really get to know the songs on this album they take on their own personal meaning and they reshape and reform because the lyrics are more intricate than one single listen through the album can do justice to.
Of course themes of love, ecstasy, heartache, and fear are "cliches" due to the simple fact that all humans experience such basic yet complicated feelings. Idina is so loved because she presents her own experience with these emotions in a way that allows her listeners to do the same for themselves. Her lyrics are more than just art; her lyrics are a form of art with the ability to connect to others and it doesn't get much better than that.
Listen to the album a few times through and take a chance to get to know her music because "I Stand" is certainly worth it.
Firstly I would just like to point out that you got a few facts wrong...
"I Stand" is Idina's 3rd CD...
Disney wouldn't even bother with these songs because they're far too complex emotionally for kids...(On the outside they seem uplifting but they are often very dark.)
You managed to miss the best songs on the album before you got to "Perfume and Promises"
You also made a comment about her fans... which I personally feel is an excuse so that you don't have to feel proven wrong because you're "prepared" for an onslaught of angry fans!
As a singer/drummer/guitarist I find the music intriguing...The musicians create fantastic "feel" the drummer in particular making a simple beat come to life.
The production is crisp and defined, but you can still hear a rawness to Idina's voice, whether in the resonating harmonies in "forever" or the gulp as she almost sobs "I feel everything"
Finally, as a lyricist to many different styles of songwriting (pop/rock/musicals) I found the lyrics intriguing. What you originally think is an uplifting ballad becomes a cry of loss, a far off dream that you know will never come true, an understanding that you are still on your journey to fully becoming "you" and still have a way to go.
Finally, you have to wonder exactly why Idina has so many fans... It's about integrity, being relatable, showing the world who you are, but most of all I suspect, it's about truthfulness, passion and raw talent
After all, critics were divided on "Wicked" and some were disgusted by the idea of "RENT" but it's the people who really count, RENT...RENT made over 12 years and it's being pushed to a later ending date and Wicked has been given the name of most successful musical ever in terms of production values and money...And that is all thanks to normal people. The people who go through the things these songs talk about, and who for an hour a day feel like they can plug in and get the message that it's ok to not be perfect, and it's ok, to still be a work in progress.
After all, isn't that really what music is about?
I just became aware of Idina Menzel's music and I think she is just wonderful! She is so incredibly talented! I thought some of her fans might like to take a look at her widget and maybe even post it to your Myspace or Facebook accounts! Please help spread the word about this remarkable woman! :)
"I Stand," is a wonderful album. With heartfelt statements like, "When all of the madness falls like rain (The song 'Gorgeous')," " Where do I begin my love/Starting with the things I haven't said enough of ('Where Do I Begin')," and, my personal favorite, "If this is the moment I stand here on my own/ If this is the right of passage that somehow leads me home/I might be afraid but it's my turn to be brave (From the single 'Brave')." enjoys a beautiful voice, this album is a gift! From start to end, the album is a showcase of Menzel's talent as a true songstress.
Idina Menzel, a Tony Award Winning Broadway Star for Rent in 1996 and another for Wicked in 2004 (and recently seen on screen in Enchanted), has made the leap from Broadway to music, which very few Broadway stars are able to do. Producer and songwriter Glen Ballard, who worked with rock and pop ranging from the Goo Goo Dolls and Shakira to Dave Matthews and Annie Lennox and of course, Alanis Morrissette co-wrote many of the songs with Menzel and help produce an excellant album.
Idina is a terrific singer, and I was amazed by the ranges she can go with her voice. The music sounds genuine and like it comes from experience. Her talent is obvious and she definitely set some high standards for herself and others to follow. Her Broadway skills helped her show a classic side for this album.
'I Stand' marks Menzel's third solo album and features some of the power ballads that you'd expect from the musicals that she's been in. Menzel is bold, brassy and has a powerful voice with wide ranges to her notes. She has the ability to sound soft and sweet on one track and intense and emotional on the next. The album talks about hope, faith, love, and loss, and sounds like any one of the numbers could have been from a Broadway show.
I just became aware of Idina Menzel's music and I think she is just wonderful! She is so incredibly talented! I thought some of her fans might like to take a look at her widget and maybe even post it to your Myspace or Facebook accounts! I thought it was a pretty cool way to spread the word (and show your love) for her! :)
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I truly love this CD...To me as a music fan of all kinds of music, I believe that this CD isn't being given its Props...I loved every song on the album and I hope for more to come...