2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Stronger country roots, better than DIM THE WATERSHED?, September 18, 2008
This review is from: Wanderlust Diaries (Audio CD)
Mary Karlzen goes back to stronger country roots for this The Wanderlust Diaries release. I am in no way a country music fan, but I am a Mary Karlzen Fan.
This is not a "candy coated country crossed-over commercial crap" record like her most popular "Yelling at Mary" release.
This CD is a much better production than "Yelling at Mary". It is in no way perfect, but Jansen Press did a great job of quality control and performance for the most part on this product.
The CD could have been released without "Heart Of Saturday" and "Skyway" in my opinion.
Replacements & Tom Waits's cover songs might be nice for a live show, but Karlzen needs no help in the song writing department for her CD's.
Matthew Ryan's vocals on Heart Of Saturday Night sound fake and mimicked. This subtracts from the overall production of the CD. Why did Jansen Press allow this to happen? He is a truly talented producer and musician.
Skyway is a well written song, well produced and performed on this CD, but again Karlzen's own writing easily equals this material, so why have it?
4. Oh My is the strongest all around song as far as writing, production, vocal performance, and execution. 10. Stupid or Something could easily be a radio song with enough promotion behind it. Once you drop the cover songs. This CD stands on its own and stands up to its contemporaries.
7. Find Yourself is the weakest of the bunch. 9. Friends along the way, and 6. Jump are two other Gems on this CD.
This CD release contains many themes such as forgiveness, and acceptance that a unique and wonderful artist like Mary Karlen could only convey after many years in the music business with its rewards and disappointments.
In all, "Dim the Watershed" is Mary Karlzens best work to date. "The Wanderlust Diaries" could be better or just as strong. My opinion changes like my moods daily. Only time will tell how vital she is as an Artist, and how well her CD's stack up. She continues to be on my play list past all my trends so far.
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1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not Her Best, July 14, 2008
This review is from: Wanderlust Diaries (Audio CD)
When I saw this CD for sale on Amazon I was really looking forward to hearing it. Unfortunately, it is far from her best effort. The only other CD I have of her's is "Yelling at Mary", which is much better than this CD. This doesn't even seem like the same artist. Overall, I'm very disappointed with "Wanderlust Diaries".
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