Customer Reviews

Greatest Hurts: Best of Jann Arden

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Jann Arden has got to be one of THE most talented singer/songwriters in Canada. And with the much anticipated release of this compilation "Greatest Hurts" (no, that's not a typo, it is called "Greatest HURTS" as most of her songs are pretty sad), we can enjoy some of her best works in one disc as well as two new songs. Complete with quirky liner notes written by Jann as well as full lyrics. Here's a track-by-track review:-

1) Thing For You ( New Song ):- One of the faster songs you'll find in this album. Has a feel good beat and a feel good melody.

2) Could I Be Your Girl:- Not the version that is normally heard on the radio, but rather, the original album version. Slower and has a grander accompaniment. Different, but I prefer the more "rock" version better.

3) The Sound Of:- A ballad that sinks in only after being heard at least couple of times, but still, very enjoyable.

4) I Would Die For You:- According to Jann, this was supposedly written as a happy song. But, the end result is this slow and sad albeit gloomy song that's perfect for a cry-fest.

5) Saved:- My favourite Jann Arden song of all. The beat, melody and lyrics of this song just makes you wanna cuddle up with someone and wrapped in a warm blanket. A truly feel good song.

6) If It Be Your Will:- A cover of a Leonard Cohen classic, Jann brings her own unique vocal qualities and makes this song her own. This song also has great accompaniment.

7) Insensitive:- An all-time favourite. A bittersweet ballad about a woman telling off her ex-love sarcastically. Catchy and memorable.

8) Sleepless [ Album Version ]:- Like "Could I Be Your Girl", this original version has a tad bit slower tempo than the remix version (also on this disc) normally heard on the radio. But other than that, the song's pretty much the same.

9) Will You Remember Me:- A light tempo and thoughful lyrics makes this Jann Arden early hit very listenable.

10) Sorry For Myself:- Like half of Jann's songs, this is another perfect song to listen to for a cryfest.

11) You Don't Know Me:- A jazzy tune from the soundtrack of "My Best Friend's Wedding", a sad song, but a GOOD sad song. Jann's voice blends in quite well with the music.

12) Unloved:- A slow ballad duet with a sort of country feel to it. Very enjoyable and listenable. The uncredited male voice ( Jackson Browne ) has a very attracting quality.

13) Good Mother:- A moderate tempo song with lyrics that provide a positive outlook on life. A change from the overwhelming sad songs on this album.

14) Nevermind ( New Song ):- A moderately slow tune that is not as memorable as the other new song, "Thing For You", because it needs a little warm up period. But, nevertheless, still a pretty good quality song!

15) Sleepless [ Remix ]:- The version usually heard on the radio is just spun up a couple of notches (speed-wise) and jazzed up a little bit than the original version. This is also the more favourite version.

16) Insensitive [ Live Version ]:- Recorded at her concert at the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver, this version contains a seriously toned monologue in the opening that turns out to be pretty funny! The arrangement is slower and more solemn.

A must-have for Jann Arden fans and I would recommend this for music fans alike!...

GREATEST HURTS includes some of Jann's biggest hits, and a few songs that are hard to find, plus some bonuses! Quite the payoff for the fans. Starting with the extras..it includes two bonus tracks, a great remix of her 2000 hit Sleepless, and a 8 minute live version of Insensitive. The album also features two great, quirky fun new songs, named "Thing For You" and "Never Mind". It doesn't stop there with the extras. "If It Be Your Will" is on here, which was only available on the Leonard Coehn tribute TOWER OF SONG, and "You Don't Know Me" which before was only featured on the soundtrack for MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING. As well it includes a great variety of her hits, such as "Insensitive", "Good Mother", "Could I Be Your Girl", "I Would Die For You", "Will You Remember Me", "The Sound Of" and much more. My only complaint is the absense of the hit single "Wishing That" from her HAPPY? album but its ok, the extras more than make up for it. On top of it all, is a great booklet filled with lyrics and insight into how each song came to be. A wonderful collection for the casual or hardcore fan to have!

I'm not the biggest Jann Arden fan, but I do enjoy many of her songs, so naturally a greatest hits album is the perfect choice for me. I heard 'Never Mind' on the radio and fell in love with it. Her voice is so soothing and the lyrics are excellent. I like most of the tracks on here, and if you're an occasional Jann Arden listener, this is the perfect CD.

I bought this CD only having heard Jann's older singles on the radio. And given that this was when I was still a kid, listening to my parents' soft rock stations, I couldn't appreciate the quality of Jann's music. But once I bought this CD, I saw it. These songs blow me away every time I listen to them. From the music, to the lyrics, I just get lost in the songs. They are so emotional- from the angry to the depressed to the happy to the jealous to... emotions I can't even decipher and understand. I was blown away with Jann's song writing abilities in this album. If you have ever even remotely liked one of her songs, then I'm sure you'll fall in love with the whole album. Jann is amazing, and doesn't receive as much recognition as she deserves in the music industry. This album shows her at her best.

I heard one of her songs (the old Ray Charles tune You Don't Know Me) and liked it so decided to check out her work. Found this CD and liked the reviews so bought it. I like most all the tracks. Really enjoy her voice and style. Looking to maybe pick up another of her albums. Did not much care for the way she did the 'live' version of Insensitive but the rest is great.

I love this album Jann Arden has such a pure voice. The Canadian female singers are really kicking butt. The sad thing is how she's really not all that well known outside of Canada.
And it's their lost.
But one question where's the song "Wonderdrug" on this album????

We Canadians are so lucky to have 3 great female singers to ourselves that few Americans have even heard of: Jann Arden, Amanda Marshall, and Chantal Kreviazuk. 3 amazing women who have endless amounts of talent, yet they are popular only within Canada (basically??). Greatest Hurts has yet to be released anywhere outside Canada. Lucky us! This album is complete from front to back. Good Mother and Insensitive are the very best of the best. They happen to be my favourite Jann Arden tunes. And please don't compare her to Alanis. I love Alanis, but Jann is different. She is soulful like Alanis, but her voice is more soothing and inviting. The 2 new tracks are also a great treat for deserving and supportive Canadian fans. Jann also rocks on Sleepless (both the original track and the remix), Saved, I would die for you (a to die for song - no pun intended), and the glorious Will you remember me? A truly great disc for anyone who enjoys quality music.

Jann Arden is such an amazing singer. She sings with such passion in every single song. I love the greatest hurts album. It is just such a shame that she is not very well know here in the United States.

Love Jann Arden since the "Insensitive" song
This is a great addition and a very greatest hit.

If you are already an ardent fan, this review is not for you. I am writing for those like myself who didn't really know Jann Arden before buying this album.

I bought the CD for her version of "You Don't Know Me," and secondarily for "Insensitive." They were the only songs of hers I had ever heard. Turns out these two songs and a Leonard Cohen cover ("If It Be Your Will") are the only tracks on the CD not written or co-written by Arden herself. Some of her songs, such as "Unloved," a duet with Jackson Browne, are strong, but her songs as a whole don't measure up to "Insensitive" and especially "You Don't Know Me," a killer song that she interprets powerfully.

Arden is a middle-of-the-road songbird with a slight country flavor. The tracks are heavily produced - in fact, she comments that she liked the fact that one song "is so cleverly hidden behind Ed's wonderful production." But she CAN sing: think Sarah McLachlan, Amy Grant, Jewel, Eva Cassidy.

I realize committed fans (like the reviewers below) may regard this review as tepid, but bottom line is most of these tracks are good, but safe. I also suspect that Arden will connect more strongly with women than men (like me). If you are female, add a star to my rating.