Customer Reviews

Time for Mercy

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

 

 

I bought this Jann Arden album after getting her 5-star "Living Under June." While this album is not as good, it is still an incredible work of music. It's a little more Canadian/Western than "June", but it still has the same trademark Jann Arden soulful, beautiful, meaningful lyrics that are just as good for a sunny day as a rainy one. "Time for Mercy," the title track, is so incredibly moving. "Waiting For Someone" is also quite soulful, and, as most of Arden's songs, sucks the listener into a web of emotions and into the same plight as this Calgary songstress. "Over You" is a great last track, and (the bonus track from "June") "I Would Die For You" are both great great great songs. A must have for any Jann Arden fan, a must have for any good music fan, and a nice alternative to those typically crunchy, annoying, feel-they're-too-damn-special female singers of today.

I'm writing this a bit backward, in that this is the first Jann Arden release, and the last one of the three I've listened to. Having said that, I'm glad to have heard and enjoyed this CD, and relish the chance to reflect vs. her more recent releases. Though it lacks the depth of the following CDs, the start of a potentially dynamite career is on display. Several selections, though not unforgettable, show her one-of-a-kind vocal qualities - range, depth & emotion, couple with insightful lyrics and moving music. Her voice is beautiful. She never seems to sing a note that she's uncomfortable with. She makes me think she can sing ANY note, and always seems to match this vocal strength with good music. In summary, this record offers several glimpses of what's to come, and the hope here is that Jann Arden, with 3 CDs on the shelf, has only just begun to show the incredible music she's capable of making.

I love Jann Arden, I just recieved this, her first album and the last for me to complete my collection, I kind of started the wrong way round, getting all her previous albums before this one and somehow it has made this one that little bit more special.
It's easy to see why Jann has gone so far from this album, but she is still that same artist, singing about mundane things that most would pass by and not see beauty, humour or love in, thats what I love most about Jann, her ability to take a situation and make a song that moves me so deeply, like the song Kitchen Window, it's easily my favourite song from this album, just beautiful and sad but with that Jann wit.
It's a slower paced album, you can tell she was finding her footing in the world then and it's a great start to an amazing career so far.
The track 'Will You Remember Me' is about dying and thinking about that beforehand, it's beautiful, I really like when she sing/speak 'got a junkie heart'. The stragely appealing 'We Do Some Strange Things' also paints a picture of life on this planet, in all it's lonliness and pleasure, it's another standout. Jann is far more than just her hit Insensitive, so much more.

Best Tracks: Waiting For Someone, I'm Not Your Lover, The Way Things Are Going, Over You

If I had to sum up this album in two words they would be: Quiet and Powerful

Jann's style of expressing her deepest feelings in (as noted) quiet yet powerful ways is clearly evident throughout this CD.

And while many of the songs are about thwarted love, there are many about hope as well.

This is a good CD for a quiet night, or personal time.

Of the 4 Jann Arden CDs released thus far, this one, her first remains the most intense. The depressing subject matter (fodder for music hacks in Canada who chastised Jann for the death-like lyrics ..."will you remember me when I'm gone"..."I would die for you"... - undue criticism in my opinion) works well here. All songs (including a co-write) came from the pen of Jann Arden - emotional, raw and real. The Canadian hit singles ("I Would Die For You", "Will You Remember Me" and "I'm Not Your Lover") are superb - exceptional in fact, coming from a debut album. Also key here is the achingly raw "I Just Don't Love You Anymore" - a perfect song to be heard from Jann a cappella (though here with music). The major flaw with this CD is it's unevenness. Superior sounding songs are often followed up with mediocre efforts, resulting in a lack of consistency. Her sophomore CD "Living Under June" may have been a more cohesive, hit driven effort, but this remains her most emotions-on-her-sleeve recording to date. A good introduction to a complex artist who continues to play by her rules and not by her record company's.

I love all of Jann Ardens work. I think she is a truly talented singer/songwriter/musician. This album is a terrific album to play while relaxing and thinking. All of the songs have fairly sad subject matter, and although she can be a bit repetitive with the lyrics, nevertheless, most songs have a meditative quality to them. Some of the songs may take at least a couple of listens before they sink in, but that's always the way with the best music. But once they have, they will stay with you, and you will love each one.

Canada has my favorite artists of all time: Sarah McLachlan, Alanis Morissette and of course JANN ARDEN! This C.D. rox! She has a beautiful voice and it's very unique. I love all her C.D.s and this one is no exception, so you should buy it! My favorite song is "I would die for you". We Canadians are sooooo lucky to have her!!!!!

I really like Jann Arden and recently purchased this CD to add to my collection. Very good purchase!

This is my third CD by Jann. I just got it yesterday. Except for I would die for you, the songs are mundane and the music mediocre. This cd will not keep my from buying more, but it definitely did not rise to the heights the others did.

They are everywhere these days. And if more of them are like this artist I say this country should join us. She is great and this album is a fine example of our neighbors to the north.