Customer Reviews

Jordan's Sister

5 star:		(64)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Last night I had the pleasure of seeing probably the BEST Christian concert I've ever been to. Third Day came to Prestonwood Church in Dallas last night and led the crowd in a praise and worship time. The highlight in my mind was newcomer Kendall Payne, the second opening act. She started off with her and her acoustic, which I thought this girl was going to be just another Sarah McLaughlin. But the girl has more powerful voice has you'll see if you get this CD. Folks, I've got both Jennifer Knapp albums, which I really really enjoy. Kendall Payne is FAR better. That is how good she is. For my money "Hollywood" is one of the most powerful songs on the album. When Kendall sang "Supermodel" last night she just won everyone over. She does that on the album too. This is probably one of the greatest debut albums by a female artist since 1990. If you don't beleive me, please just get the album, or better yet, see her live with Third Day. You will agree with me!

For all those who may not know, Kendall Payne was unjustifiably cut from Capitol several years ago and was out of the music scene for quite some time. She has recently re-emerged with a brilliant independent CD, appropriately titled GROWN. Check out KENDALLPAYNE.COM for details or buy it directly at CDBABY.com. This artist needs signed again and deserves worldwide exposure. GROWN is a very, very good album that without question exceeds what she brought out five years ago with Jordan's Sister. It's very well produced, very well written, very catchy and also very heartbreaking. She's got all she had on Jordan's Sister and more on the new CD, including a track that she did with Lifehouse's Jason Wade that has a very nice vibe and distinctly Lifehouse feel. Check it out, and send this artist back to the frontlines.

I bought this CD without having heard of Kendall Payne - one of my few "whim" purchases. I then left on a 14 hour trip back to college, and it didn't leave the CD player. Kendall has an amazing ability to write honest lyrics and fitting melodies. Her songs got me through some difficult times when I was 20, and now at 23 she still never fails to touch me. She covers a full range of emotions. For Christian listeners, she reminds us that we're not always going to be happy and life is going to hurt, but we will never be alone (see "Never Leave").

I'm ready for her next one!

All I can say is that this is an incredible album. The music is great, filled with everything from tracks with a full band with guitars, drums, keys and the rest, to simple acuoustic tracks with a hint of piano and cello. And the lyrics are incredible too. It's such a refreshing change of pace from the majority of popular music out there. Kendall sings of stuff that really matters, not just the teenage "fluff" issues that we hear all over the radio. My entire family likes this CD! If you ever have a chance to see her live, make sure you do! Her performances are even better than the CD, if you can imagine! Congratulations Kendall, you're sure to go far!!!

A third "bookmarked" album of mine. (the other two: debut CD's by Jennifer Paige and Dido). The amazon.com page with this album was bookmarked to my favorites for nearly 3 months, and I would weekly listen to the snippets - just to see if I wanted it more... and I did. Finally enough to purchase the CD - and I was NOT disappointed. A few songs I (and others it seems) pick out as favorites:

Track 1 ("Close to Myself") hits early with a great pop/rock sound and lyrics similar to the thoughts of all those shy people in the world.

Track 2 ("Supermodels") follows with a little bit more alternative rock and pokes fun at those in the facade of "look at my body" - and even hints (slightly) how it won't last.

Track 9 ("Modern Day Moses") begins with a soft drum/piano set and a few strums of the guitar. Once it hits the real beat, Kendall's voice sooths with a few oohs and yeahs. Almost without warning (as you are lulled to sleep by the intro) the lyrics come, flowing with a sincerity in the voice that would make you think Kendall lived through this. Perhaps a true to life plea of an actual modern day moses - hinting (of not out right demanding) the secular world to quit breaking the rules of morality and life.

Kendall's voice is wonderful on this album, a bit of an accent at parts - a beautiful one of course. I am finding fewer and fewer debut CD's that are this good. Then again, most artists lose originality by their 4th or 5th... I hope this doesn't happen - and I hope many more original and uplifting albums are to come by this artist

This review has been a long time coming. Now finally here it is. I bout this cd two months ago, I believe. Kendall is a clever song writer with an ear for satire, humor, and catharis. I have to say that I was actually moved by this disc. The honesty that she writes with is appealing and refreshing. "Honest" and "On my bones" are enough to force one to go home and attempt to write poetry in a journal. The pop sensibility of each song kind of creates an outline for the whole disc. "Supermodels" is a quirky song, and one can easily recognize that kendall enjoyed doing that tune. There's really only one song i do not enjoy and that is "Modern day moses." Kendall has achieved a lot with this debut, she has proposed beauty and pain and has come out with a brilliant self portrait. Also, Kendall allows for a very sweet and haunting idea of Christianity to slip into the crevices of her songs. And at other times it is bold though abstract.

This is one of the best freshman efforts I've heard from a female artist in a long time. When I first heard Kendall live at Lilith Fair I was immeadiately hooked, and the album has not been a disappointment. Most of the songs come flying off the CD with exceptional guitar riffs and Payne's voice cutting through it all with unexpected power. My biggest critisism of the album is that stylistically Payne is all over the place. Depending upon the track she can resemble any number of artists: Jewel, Sinead o'Connor, Shawn Colvin, or Alannis Morrisette to name a few; she hasn't come into her own style yet on the album. It's obvious from her live performances that she's gained a great deal of musical maturity from the artists of Lilith Fair, and I anxiously await a second album where she can showcase that growth. Until that time enjoy this album and don't miss a chance to see her live.

Kendall Payne is the antidote to Brittany Spears. She writes her own material. Her musical range runs from heartfelt acoustic folk ("Fatherless at 14") to driving rock that would do Tom Petty proud ("Hollywood"). Her lyrics have a complexity and depth rivalling the best work of Bruce Springsteen or Al Stewart or Over the Rhine.

Most of the time, Kendall employs her prodigious talent to put forth a refreshingly moral vision. Cuts like "Closer to Myself," "Wonderland," "On My Bones," and "Modern Day Moses" are spiritual without being preachy. "It's Not The Time" is a sensitive take on the moral issues of a crisis pregnancy which sort of sneaks up on you because you can dance to it. The album's centerpiece, "Hollywood," is Kendall's mission statement. Her ambition is nothing less than to bear Christian witness to the entire city of Los Angeles: "I'm gonna fight for mercy/and take this angel town."

The best part is that she's only 19, and this is her first album. May it be the first of many. Go get 'em, Kendall!

All of the published reviews (LA Magazine, etc) gear this towards the teens...well, I'm 35 and love this CD. This talented lady croons them out, and "Honestly" is a breathtaking love song, while "Fatherless at 14" literally had me wiping my eyes. Brava! for the artist who can move you, and a louder Brava! for the artist who also writes her music and lyrics. She's a breath of fresh air!

This is just a Great CD! Not too Hard and not too soft.