Customer Reviews

Fast Lane Addiction

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Shannon's 1999 debut album, "Loud Guitars, Big Suspicions", introduced us to a (barely) teenaged powerhouse blues singer and guitarist. Eight years later, the powerhouse has matured and still has that big voice and great chops. This time out, her focus is more hard rock oriented and she demonstrates that she can also work well in that genre. All but one of the songs on this cd are co-written by her, and Shannon belts them out with full throttle performances.
For those who are unfamiliar with Shannon, be prepared to be blown away by her mature beyond her years voice and massive lead guitar skills. A live album showcasing both her blues and rock sides might be a worthwhile project for her next release.

Shannon's debut CD 'Loud Guitars, Big Suspicions' was a tasty blues album that was impressive for several reasons. She was only 16 years old, wrote, sang and played guitar on all the tracks (except for a cover of "The Weight"). 'Fast Lane Addiction' is a hard rocking CD that is every bit as impressive as her debut. I've seen this prodigy live several times now and I recommend that if you get the chance, you do the same. Her soulfull voice and hot guitar licks are amazing. Buy this CD and tell your friends.

On Curfman's 2nd studio release she downplays the blues a bit and cranks up the rock. This is a more polished album than her debut as appears that she may have been going for a bit younger more rock oriented audience. This is not necessarily a bad thing though, and for the most part this is a strong piece of work. Curfman wrote or co-wrote most of the songs here. The lyrics appear to be trying to portray a tough girl image especially with straight forward tracks like "Do Me", and "Stone Cold Bitch" which leave little to the imagination. A cover of The Stone Temple Pilots "Sex Type Thing" further ingrains this image that she seems to be trying to portray. I am guessing that reactions will be mixed to some of these lyrics. Vocally Curfman is still in fine form and her guitar playing is strong throughout. My only complaint is that I wish she would stretch out instrumentally a bit more, and the guitar solos are all good, but on the short side. "Fast Lane" is a strong sophomore release and should appeal to both blues and hard rock fans alike.

I saw her in concert when she was 16, so I was pleased when I learned there was a new album. At first, I thought it was too heavy metal for me, but I left it in the car CD player and have listened to it several times now and the songs are stuck in my head and I really do like it.

Not as good as we could have expected after the first album, some songs are excellent but some are too poppy and not enough bluesy, I hope next album won't take her that long and will be more guitar orientated

I play this album too much, especially while driving. Just can't get enough. She rips the lyrics with feeling ala Joan Jett. Definetly bad girl music. Her guitar and the rest of the band hit hard. It's got that southern rock/blues thing going which never gets old. I have all her albums. This is the best.

There is tunes that need a few listens before its stuck
The record have a good mix
Recommend it

on her second cd shannon rocks a little more than the 1st cd."stone cold bitch" "do me"+the title track really rock with a blues feel. she's still a great guitar player. her singing on this cd is better more of a clean sound! if you liked her 1st cd, i think you'll like this on! great blues based rock'n'roll. can't wait to see her live!!!

Other than "Do Me" I have to say I was really disappointed. I can hear and feel the unpolished, hungry, driven girl from her debut under a lot of polish, and modern pop music. I pray Shannon isn't pulling a Jonny Lang on us. I hope what I can hear underneath all of the polish is what is to come next time. I am a big fan and have just about worn out her debut album, and this one leaves me hoping it's a sophomore bump.

It was back on the 27th September 2000 that I reviewed the pretty decent debut CD from Shannon Curfman. I went back to that review after listening to Fast Lane Addiction a couple of times.I was disappointed and wanted to make sure this was the same rising star I had heard on Loud Guitars Big Suspicions belting out some half decent rock and blues influenced songs.
After nearly 10 years, the second CD appears,promising the perspective of a young woman in her twenties, with moere experience of life than the 13 year old and her interpretation of rock and bluesy soul. When I listened to the entire CD I found it flat,formulaic and predictable, even commerical (in the ordinary way).The title track offered something for me, being sought of gritty but then it went on to "Do Me" and it lost me.This CD has Ms Curfmann trying initially to be a tough rock chick from south of the Mason Dixon line with so much attitude that the guitar chops and the talent of Loud Guitars.. is lost in translation somewhere.
The CD for some reason softens to a wimper, with the guitar merely mixing into the background and the song selection providing lyrics that are anything but stand out.Except for a few songs that give up some life, this CD dwells in the limbo zone of certainly not bad enough to be banished to the bargain bins but by the same token giving nothing but a standard, pitched for pleasant popular appeal with some rock overtones.
I was looking for some development over the ten years.As she is in the continental US I have not had the benefit of seeing her live, although I have watched her on You Tube.The live performances are great and she had a half decent voice, but that energy is not reflected in this CD. I believe that she can deliver a lot more than this safe and disappointing effort.
I happily await the third instalment from Ms Curfman to see if this was merely a glitch in her development.