|
Stronger Kristine W. RCA, 2000
Buy it online
Tracks
Reviewed by Sienna Powers
|
Looks can be deceiving. Take Stronger, Euro-style club diva Kristine W.'s latest album. The cover image shows a wide-eyed, moist-mouthed Kristine, the expression in her beautiful eyes is vapid, if not downright stupid. It would, by comparison, make Pammy Anderson look like a Rhodes scholar. Stronger gives every appearance of being an album by one of those one-off dance darlings that have plagued the music industry since the first doo-wop babes sold albums in the 1950s. In other words, at first take, Stronger looks practically indistinguishable from any number of albums by current singers who, for one reason or another, have only been allowed one name. Especially since Kristine W.'s first album, Land of the Living (1996) was released long enough ago -- and to small enough mainstream noise -- to have been forgotten by anyone beyond her staunchest fans. Having ignored the album for several weeks longer than I should have, I finally guiltily cracked the plastic and gave the disc a spin. Surprise one: despite that single name thing and the fact that she was once a contender for the title of Miss America, Kristine W. has a full voice. The voice of a woman, not the little girl bleatings that have seemed to become ever more popular in recent years. The liner notes reveal a less forgettable visage than that used on the cover, as well. Here Miss W. is shown in intelligent, confident poses with hair that looks less likely to strangle its owner. A peek inside the album shows Kristine W. to be more the controller than the one controlled. The diva herself is listed as executive co-producer along with Vincent Degiorgio and Randy Barbato. Also Kristine (whose "W" turns out to be short for "Weitz") wrote or co-wrote 10 of the 13 songs included on Stronger. One the exceptions is notable: James Taylor's folk classic "Shower The People." On Stronger it's given a seductive techno ballad treatment likely intended to provide a breather between gyrations on an album otherwise almost completely concerned with dance. Another surprise: Stronger gives off an almost textbook Euro-dance aura. From the anthemic "Clubland" to the title piece "Stronger," the album is rich in the type of mature mixage and texturing that characterizes European club music. At the same time, Kristine herself has the look of a Scandinavian songstress: all blonde hair and long, clean limbs. The singer/songwriter actually hails from the little burg of Pasco, Washington; however and got discovered singing on the strip in Vegas while working on a Bachelor's degree in, of all things, television production. On the other hand, the Euro-sound is not as big a surprise when you realize that the album was recorded, over a period of four years, in Frankfurt, Stockholm, Toronto, Los Angeles and New York. Needless to say, the production and instrumentation credits look like the roster of a baseball team: including both sides of the field. Surprisingly, this ensemble approach to album creation doesn't detract from the whole. Stronger has a finished and well-produced feel. Those planning on enjoying Stronger had best be of a cheerful disposition and ready to dance. Kristine W.'s second album is unfailingly cheerful and demands movement of its listeners. The combination will make those that loathe club music head for the nearest exit or worse. In a hurry. The rest of us had just better plan to move. | October 2000
Sienna Powers is a writer, editor and visual artist. |
Surprise one: despite that single name thing and the fact that she was once a contender for the title of Miss America, Kristine W. has a full voice. The voice of a woman, not the little girl bleatings that have seemed to become ever more popular in recent years. |
|
|
 |
|
