Poison & Snakes

Liz Janes | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 5, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Asthmatic Kitty
• ASIN: B0002X6F8G
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #648,852 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The long awaited follow-up to Liz Janes’ acclaimed 2001 debut Done Gone Fire (with accompaniment by Sufjan Stevens), Poison & Snakes documents Janes’ progression as a seasoned singer, songwriter and performer. Here, Janes and producer Rafter Roberts set her mellifluous blues-tinged voice and unexpected phrasing against eclectic and unpredictable arrangements. Supported by members of some of San Diego’s most renowned bands (Black Heart Procession, Pinback, Rocket From The Crypt and Soul-Junk), the lush and ornate production of Poison & Snakes mirrors Liz Janes’ songwriting versatility and addictive chameleon voice. The result is a record that masterfully combines elements of punk, gospel and country music.

Liz Janes was nominated for Best New Artist at the 2004 San Diego Music Awards.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars evocative and transcendent music, April 20, 2006

By 

jessifern - See all my reviews

This review is from: Poison & Snakes (Audio CD)

Like all worthwhile music, the best tracks on "Poison and Snakes" deserve repeated listenings.

I've had this cd for a year and I'm still impressed by tracks 6, 7, and 8. Especially track 8, Desert, which creates a mood I've never felt listening to anything else. If it's anything, I suppose it's like a lost track from a gentler Kid A.

Track 6, Vine, is explosive and great. Track 7, Deep Sea Diver, begins with quirky hums and flutters that lead into a compelling but faraway-sounding choir, like the voices of some underwater spiritual pilgrimage.

The rest of the album is more accessible, less hefty. It's all worth a listen.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not Worth Purchase, Especially At Full Price, September 12, 2005

By 

M. Baltes (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Poison & Snakes (Audio CD)

While Liz Janes has a beautiful voice, she fails to sing with passion or intensity, with the result that most of her songs sound identical.

This album starts out well with "Wonderkiller" and "Streetlight," which may deceive you into believing that her other songs reach an equal emotional intensity and enthusiasm-- or, lacking that, at least be distinguishable and interesting. Her album slides downhill and falls apart after these first two tracks. By the time you reach "Ocean," you may feel disappointed and duped, if you're not already asleep or listening to another, more captivating, artist.

If you like folk, I suggest you search elsewhere, or beat your brains out wondering why you spent the $15+ on an album that reaches mediocre musical maturity, at best. You might consider downloading her better songs on iTunes instead.