 | AntjeAntje121 Park Dr., Suite #20Boston, MA 02215 OR Birkenstrasse 33 10551 Berlin, Germany
A review written for the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange |
| AntjeAntje121 Park Dr., Suite #20Boston, MA 02215 OR Birkenstrasse 33 10551 Berlin, Germany
A review written for the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange |
Perhaps the greatest compliment one can lavish on someone who has taken extensive vocal studies is that their singing voice sounds completely natural and untrained. Such is the case with Antje, a native of Germany and a recent Songwriting/Vocal Studies graduate of the Berklee School of Music (Boston) whose voice lilts out of her self-titled debut CD in a pure, seemingly effortless wisp.
At first listen, it's tough to believe that this is, in fact, a debut CD. From the first word of the first song, Antje's voice washes over the listener with wonderous ease and simplicity. Hearkening echoes of Kate Rusby's sweet, lazy style, Antje is a gifted vocalist who knows something that many singers spend a lifetime trying to figure out - that you can convey vocal strength and prowess without belting, warbling, or thumping your audience over the head. No Mariah Carey-esque shrieks on this album - just beautiful rendering of delicious melodies, deftly placed over tasteful, subtle band arrangements (particularly impressive is the string section on Who Will Be the One - a haunting arrangement of violin, viola, cello, and doublebass).
Featuring seven original compositions and one cover (Landslide by Stevie Nicks, which Antje relaxes and stamps with such individuality that I didn't immediately recognize it), Antje's album is a delicate gem. Although her lyrics are somewhat sophomoric, the talent behind them is obvious and will certainly become stronger with time (if nothing else, the chorus of voices singing the unexpected anthem "God bless the Avon Lady" makes up for the lyrical shortcomings of the other songs).
Germany's loss is our gain, as Antje's mellifluous voice is that which puts her head and shoulders above many of her American counterparts... definitely one to watch.
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Edited by David N. Pyles
(dnpyles@acousticmusic.com)
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