Customer Reviews

Little Leviathan

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

 

 

The "professional" reviews of this CD I've read are just plain wrong. I don't care about Miss Lewis' credentials or lineage, I care about whether I enjoy a CD or not. I've gotten much more than my money's worth listening to these tunes, and I believe most people would. There are some songs you like immediately (January's Child), and some which get better as you listen to them (Loaded), but as you listen your enjoyment will evolve into an appreciation for this budding artist's writing and voice that transcends the poppy hooks and clean production values. I hope her next album is low budget and a bit harder edged, but I plan to buy it nonetheless.

"Little Leviathan" is one of the few cd's in my collection that I consciously replay time after time. The lush sound of her music is captivating and compels you to sit and listen. Her musical understanding and mastery of lyrical composition is astounding.

In all of her songs, Michelle has woven a rich tapestry of lyrics and music which I find quite uncommon. Michelle's songs showcase her talent from somber tunes such as "Outside" to more coloured tunes like "Loaded".

In short, Michelle Lewis has a talent for constructing songs that have perfect balance between music and lyrics. I've lent "Little Leviathan" to several friends and I have yet to find anyone that disagrees. This is an excellent recording to add to anyone's collection.

Okay, so Michelle Lewis isn't a household name - yet. But if you listen to her music you can't deny that she should be soon! I heard Nowhere and Everywhere in the fall of 1998, and it soon became my anthem. I got the CD in the spring and I still love it! She isn't writing about the same pathetic lost love stories, she's writing about feeling alienated, and not by smashing into walls in overdone music videos. I don't think any other artist really captures lonliness in such a subtle, creative way. She's a storyteller, and she's telling some terrific stories.

Lewis' record "Little Leviathan" is a fair effort, but it seems a tad pedestrian considering some of the other singer/ songwriters out there. There is very little to recommend it over, say, the last Shawn Colvin record. (Coincidentally, Colvin compatriot John Leventhal produces "Homesick" on the disc). I don't understand the Alanis Morrisette comparisons. (Not being an admirer of Ms. Morisette in the least, I think it's an insult to Lewis' vision as an artist).

Still "Nowhere and Everywhere" should have been a top ten single and "Homesick" has teeth enough to be convincing. The touching "Poor Dead William" and narrative "Outside" (is that in 6/8 time?-nice!) are standouts along with the two previously mentioned tracks.

If Lewis steps out of the shadow of her influences and producers I could see her creating a serious album of beauty and depth. (I mean for this to be a three 1/2 stars record, but Amazon doesn't allow for finer distinctions than one star).

True, as the Amazon critic says, there is little new here, but I can't trash this outing on those grounds. True, her father is a legendary musician, but that doesn't mean her blood automatically makes her a great artist. She's a good songwriter with a good enough voice who has written some consistantly good tunes and performs them well. True, she did go into the studio with a top-shelf producer, but even Daniel Lanois has an off day and can't always push product over the top with his magic touch. I enjoy this CD. The tunes are good. The lyrics are good and quirky enough, often enough to keep the listener interested. I hear so many CDs with so little going for them, CDs where 2 good songs is all your money's worth, that it's a pleasure listening to something like this, where every song is at least decent and some are really quite good. Michelle won't save or transform the world with this project, but she can sit next to me and play in my ear anytime. I walk my dog down the same route every night in my neighborhood. One night I saw a great tree. It was huge and lush. I'm not certain how I'd missed it on the thousand plus walks I'd been on. It's a tree, nothing new, but there it was and I was glad it was there in familiar territory. Likewise, I'm glad Michelle Lewis is the new tree in my familiar neighborhood.

Well, here goes. Michelle's album is a wonderful combination of the everyday feelings of your average 20 something (me being one) person. Her voice is carried over everything else on the album, and haunts me nightly. I left the CD at work and couldn't get home and listen to the mp3 version that I made. This type of music is out my normal band of Electronica, Punk, and Heavy Metal. It's a nice very calming album to listen to. You really get into her head. I'll disagree strongly with the amazon.com review. I'm one of those people who despises the type of music (with the exception of Sarah) that Beth mentions in the Amazon.com review. All you headbangers who need to calm down, give it a whirl.

This young woman has an incredibly beautiful singing voice, and uses it well: she manages to ROCK OUT in a number of different styles, yet never loses her wry humor. A close listen will reveal her real talent as a composer - This ain't bubble gum, boys and girls!! The first cut, her theme "Nowhere and Everywhere", should be required listening. Let's hear it for this Little Leviathan!

The music on this CD has a tremendous range from melancoly to wild, and is definitely worth adding to your collection. I do wish she had let loose on more of her songs, as some of them sound more subdued than others. I was able to hear & meet Michelle Lewis recently during the beginning of her national tour. Not only is she a versatile vocalist (I am in awe of her explosive singing voice) but she is also a talented songwriter. I look forward to hearing much more from this talented artist.

This Cd isn't just another female artist of the 90's like the amazon critic suggests. Her lyrics are different, her songs are catchy while being meaningful. This CD grows on you, and you will find yourself transporting it from home to car to work regularly.