Give and Take In is the first track on the titular EP, and it immediately shows Christie Lenée as an upbeat female pop rocker. The energy in which the vocals blend in with the horns will immediately draw in listeners, all while Lenée packs the track full of catchy melodies. Before I Go continues this trend, but provides listeners with a different side to Lenée. The slower tempo of Before I Go allows for a more tender sound to be cultivated, while the instrumentation is ratcheted up considerably. At points, the guitar and drum dynamic rivals even Lenée’s vocals for dominance.
As a result, both sides (vocals and instruments) are forced to give it their all. Patience keeps the momentum of Give and Take In high; there is a certain timeless quality that is fostered during this track. Fans of any form of pop, be it Shania Twain, Sheryl Crow, or Natalie Cole will easily get into a groove as Give and Take In continues. The second half of the EP begins just as strongly as the first; Love Again is a track that allows Lenée to expand upon a great deal of the genres and influences that had been alluded to briefly.
I love the Give and Take In EP, but I would like to see how much more of Lenée’s heart and soul would be showcased in a live setting. Check out the Give and Take In EP for a brief introduction into Lenée’s fresh take on the singer-songwriter genre; bookmark her site for the latest news and information about tour dates and recordings.
Top Tracks: Give and Take In, Love Again
Rating: 8.4/10
Christie Lenée – Give and Take In EP (CD) / 2012 Self / 7 Tracks / http://www.christieLenée.com