Joanne Janzen – Sad Circus (CD) Review

Do It All Over Again is a flipping of the traditional guy and girl song that will have listeners ecstatic. By reversing these gender roles, Janzen is able to provide a voice to all of womankind. In terms of instrumentation, there is a layered approach taken that stashes a fuller sound in the background. Everybody Knows Better moves Janzen into a more pop sound; hints of Sheryl Crow and Alanis Morrissette can be heard. As Janzen moves into the chorus, there is a confidence and strength to her vocals that lifts the resulting track that much higher.

Fear of Flying slows things done and allows for Janzen to put forth some heady and emotional lyrics. By letting her guard down for this song, listeners will be able to hear bare humanity. Hanging By A Thread puts the instrumental side of things up front to challenge Janzen’s vocal dominance. What results from this interaction is a spry and flittery effort that will have listeners singing along. All sides of Sad Circus are strong, as Janzen puts the same sort of all-in attitude into the beginning, middle, and end. Ice Cream, for example, showcases Janzen’s inimitable allure. As the guitars that begin the track rapidly lead in to the next section, Janzen’s vocals will remind listeners of the 1920s nightclub scene. There are other instruments playing through the track, but they add to the compelling qualities of these vocals.

I believe that Joanne Janzen is able to shake up a genre that most thought was set in its ways; by inserting every section of herself into the recordings, there remains a vibrancy on Sad Circus that never dissipates. I feel that this is one of the strongest recordings that we have received for review in NeuFutur; here’s to hoping that she has a long and productive career.

Top Tracks: Do It All Over Again, Hanging By A Thread

Rating: 8.7/10

Joanne Janzen – Sad Circus (CD) / 2011 Self / 10 Tracks / http://www.joannejanzen.com