Kelly Lang - 11:11
Album review by: Cheryl Harvey Hill, Sr. Staff Journalist
We all know there are really great singers and songwriters in Nashville, however, not all great singers can write songs and not all great songwriters can really sing, that is, unless your name is Kelly Lang. I can say this with the utmost confidence since I just finished listening to her new album, 11:11.
This album was truly difficult to review because when I'm really listening to the music, I have a tendency to stop writing and there is a unique quality in Lang's voice that simply demands you really listen. It took me at least fifteen minutes just to get past the second cut, “On and On”. In fact, I hit replay so many times that I lost count. Mind you, I'm not complaining but every time the chorus started, I stopped writing and just sang along. I know it sounds silly but, trust me, you get so caught up in her exquisite voice, it's akin to being hypnotized. Despite the desperation of the lyrics on this track, you will find yourself smiling and swaying to the music like you haven't got a care in the world. It's crazy. Heartbreak has never been more palatable than when it is delivered by the incredibly talented Lang.
One of my favorite songs is “I'm Not Going Anywhere.” It was written to comfort a special friend but after Lang was diagnosed with cancer a few years back, she dedicated the song to her mother and, then fiancee, now husband, TG Sheppard. It is so typical of her that despite her own angst, she yearned to comfort them. It is a most beautiful song with wonderful lyrics.
“I Was Wrong” is an easy listening, free-flowing tune with a neat piano intro and a delightful, bluesy feel while “If You Knew” has a more serious theme which will, at the very least, have you asking yourself a few questions about your daily choices.
On "If I'd Only Known" she sings "If I'd know you would break my heart / Make it shatter all apart / I would have never let you in / I was fine just where I'd been / If I'd known you would rape my soul / Leave me to bleed out of control / I'd have never let you near / I was fine without you here." Powerful words and they are delivered with true intensity.
I've said this before but just in case you missed it, I'll say it again: Her lyrics are strong and sometimes so visual that you find yourself flinching. Like every great songwriter, Lang is adept at taking everything life throws at her, good or bad, and setting it to restorative music. The end results are songs full of empathy that touch your heart, lift your spirits, allow you to cry, and yet, never fail to leave you inspired. Lang hasn't had to go outside of her own life to be able to write about desperation or to seek inspiration. After her ten round battle with cancer, I referred to her as an empowered survivor and it is now her sincere goal to empower others.
The final cut on this album is a sweet and soothing rendition of “You Are My Sunshine”, a special tribute to her beautiful mother, Nancy. It's a nice ending to an emotional ride. Like Lang, 11:11 may have some special meaning attached to it for you, but regardless of what these numbers may have meant to you previously, after hearing her new album, the numbers will now also mean “great music.”
It's About Time
The Back Story
Jagged Edges
11:11 will be released on November 11, 2011
http://www.kellylang.net/
We all know there are really great singers and songwriters in Nashville, however, not all great singers can write songs and not all great songwriters can really sing, that is, unless your name is Kelly Lang. I can say this with the utmost confidence since I just finished listening to her new album, 11:11.
This album was truly difficult to review because when I'm really listening to the music, I have a tendency to stop writing and there is a unique quality in Lang's voice that simply demands you really listen. It took me at least fifteen minutes just to get past the second cut, “On and On”. In fact, I hit replay so many times that I lost count. Mind you, I'm not complaining but every time the chorus started, I stopped writing and just sang along. I know it sounds silly but, trust me, you get so caught up in her exquisite voice, it's akin to being hypnotized. Despite the desperation of the lyrics on this track, you will find yourself smiling and swaying to the music like you haven't got a care in the world. It's crazy. Heartbreak has never been more palatable than when it is delivered by the incredibly talented Lang.
One of my favorite songs is “I'm Not Going Anywhere.” It was written to comfort a special friend but after Lang was diagnosed with cancer a few years back, she dedicated the song to her mother and, then fiancee, now husband, TG Sheppard. It is so typical of her that despite her own angst, she yearned to comfort them. It is a most beautiful song with wonderful lyrics.
“I Was Wrong” is an easy listening, free-flowing tune with a neat piano intro and a delightful, bluesy feel while “If You Knew” has a more serious theme which will, at the very least, have you asking yourself a few questions about your daily choices.
On "If I'd Only Known" she sings "If I'd know you would break my heart / Make it shatter all apart / I would have never let you in / I was fine just where I'd been / If I'd known you would rape my soul / Leave me to bleed out of control / I'd have never let you near / I was fine without you here." Powerful words and they are delivered with true intensity.
I've said this before but just in case you missed it, I'll say it again: Her lyrics are strong and sometimes so visual that you find yourself flinching. Like every great songwriter, Lang is adept at taking everything life throws at her, good or bad, and setting it to restorative music. The end results are songs full of empathy that touch your heart, lift your spirits, allow you to cry, and yet, never fail to leave you inspired. Lang hasn't had to go outside of her own life to be able to write about desperation or to seek inspiration. After her ten round battle with cancer, I referred to her as an empowered survivor and it is now her sincere goal to empower others.
The final cut on this album is a sweet and soothing rendition of “You Are My Sunshine”, a special tribute to her beautiful mother, Nancy. It's a nice ending to an emotional ride. Like Lang, 11:11 may have some special meaning attached to it for you, but regardless of what these numbers may have meant to you previously, after hearing her new album, the numbers will now also mean “great music.”
It's About Time
The Back Story
Jagged Edges
11:11 will be released on November 11, 2011
http://www.kellylang.net/
