I Stand

Idina Menzel

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 29, 2008)
• Original Release Date: January 29, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warner Brothers
• ASIN: B000Z8R2VW
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,453 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Amazon.com
Already a star on Broadway, the charismatic Idina Menzel ("Rent," "Wicked") is ready to star on album. To make that happen, she has enlisted the man responsible for launching, or continuing the phenomenal careers of other recent major female artists. Glen Ballard, best known for Alanis Morissette’s 16-times-platinum Jagged Little Pill and who has worked with Shakira, Christina Aguilera, Annie Lennox and Celine Dion, produced and co-wrote all but one of the songs on I Stand with Menzel.

Idina Menzel Photos

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Menzel Stands Tall, January 30, 2008

By	Rudy Palma "The Writing Fiend" (NJ) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: I Stand (MP3 Download)

Famous for creating the role of bisexual performance artist Maureen Johnson in "Rent" as well as for her Tony Award winning triumph in "Wicked," Idina Menzel has been principally known as a performer of the stage and screen. However, she has been active as a singer/songwriter since those early "Rent" days and has three albums of her own material. "I Stand," however, provides her first real chance of gaining vast exposure as a solo artist. The album debuted at #58 on the Billboard top 200 albums chart.

Those who cherish Menzel for her glass-shattering vocal range will find much to appreciate here with the chugging, widescreen title track, replete with powerful lyrics and a life-affirming message, or "Better To Have Loved," a passionate ode to lack of regret in an unpredictable world. Producer and co-writer Glen Ballard, best known for helping Alanis Morissette unleash her inner warrior woman on 1995's landmark "Jagged Little Pill," however, hands Menzel a double-edged sword - her sound here is sweetened and ripe for mainstream audiences, but some of her unique, quirky personality that informed 1998's "Still I Can't Be Still" and 2004's lo-fi "Here" EP is lost in the shuffle. Granted, the former album had some oddball lyrics and embarrassingly dated production for a late '90s effort, but Menzel sounded like herself and no one else. Nevertheless, that album made no dent in the marketplace, so it's hard to fault Ballard for helping Menzel channel her creativity in a more marketable fashion, and the results, if not revolutionary, are rich, vibrant and entertaining.

"Gorgeous" yields a joyous, effervescent melody and pearls of wisdom in its philosophic sentiments, and "Brave," like the title track, is wholly inspiring without stooping to hackneyed, maudlin sentiments. James Blunt contributes the stirring "Don't Let Me Down," while the bittersweet "Forever," by far one of the album's strongest moments, was written entirely by Menzel. She also digs deep to unearth inner torment in the haunting "My Own Worst Enemy."

With "I Stand" Menzel succeeds in proving she is just as viable a singer/songwriter as musical performer. It's not every day that someone with such a dynamic vocal talent is also a gifted writer, making the results particularly impressive. Admirers of her stage work will agree.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing CD, January 29, 2008

By	S. J. Martin - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've been a fan of Idina since she starred in "Rent" back in the 90's. Loved her in "Wicked", and found her delightful in "Enchanted". When I heard she was releasing a new album, I had to check it out. The preview I heard was wonderful, but it doesn't even compare to the full product.

"I Stand" is an amazing collection of truly gorgeous songs. After the first 30 seconds of the title track, I was hooked. That is quickly followed by my other personal favorite, "Better to Have Loved", where the spectacular quality of her voice only adds to the truth of the words. (Haven't we all felt that way at one point in our lives?) The first single, "Brave" is heartfelt and inspirational.

I recommend this cd for all the Idina fans out there, as well as anyone who wants a superb music experience.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing voice, pop sound, with a relaxing quality, March 10, 2008

By	Keith I. Kozak (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Idina Menzel has an amazing voice, and this CD is only the next best thing in her repertoire. She has a very relaxed voice, like that of a lounge singer, however, her quality is amazing. This is her 2nd CD that I have, and I enjoyed this one better than the first one. Very Sara McLaughlin-like. I bought it as a gift for a friend of mine, but had to listen to it before I gave it away, and buy one for myself.
If you have not heard her sing before, check out her other music such as Wicked and Rent... did I mention, she's also beautiful!