Search - Christine Lavin :: Compass

Classic, comedic and insightful Lavin. A must have!

Lorelle VanFossen | 06/24/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Christine Lavin does it again. Her unusual and inimate view of the world through her slightly twisted perspective is delightfully revealed in this album,Compass. Right off the top, with "Blind Dating Fun", you are swept away with her unusual way of looking at things. Blind dates aren't fun, but her comic way of presenting the challenges of dating will have you giggling and taping your toes as well.There are some serious gems on this album that are pure Lavin classics. "High Heel Shoes" tackles the fashion statement which requires woment to punish their feet for their sexuality, looking at the pros and cons of high heel shoes. She leaves you breathless with laughter and empathy as she tries out her new shoes, wobbling along the road."Prisoner of Their Hairdos" is a haunting melody, but another twisted perspective of how we judge people, especially famous people, by their looks. After all, Dolly Parton, Elton John, Cher, Streisand, all of these people are known for a body part, hair, and/or wardrobe. We all judge them by their appearance, not taking them seriously if they change. What a nightmare to be trapped by your "image".Classic Lavin is not just the comedy bits, but the insightful views of relationships. "Compass" tells of people who are so wrong for each other, but they need each other to feel complete. "Replaced" intimately shares the pain of finding out your X-love now has a new honey. "I Bring Out the Worst in You" follows on a similar theme of two people so bad together, they are good. Lavin shares a charming view of "down under" in "Rushcutter's Bay".All the way through the lyrical, light, sweet voice of Lavin listen closely to the guitar patterns underneath. Never underestimate the ability of this artist with her instrument. Her guitar picking is so intricate and complex, yet it is done so flawlessly, it dances underneath the words with ease. She is a master of the guitar, much! under-rated due to the delightful intimacy she creates with her story-telling. A true classic of Lavin music and a must have for the Christine Lavin fan or new enthusiast."

Not her best, but better than most other people's anyway...

William E. Adams | Lovington, NM United States | 11/25/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"At the moment, I own five Lavin studio albums, and this one trails the pack in overall satisfaction. Perhaps that is because I am male, and "Compass" seems to me to be more "female-focused" than her other discs. For instance, "High heel shoes" and "Prisoners of their hairdos" seem in subject matter to be of more interest to women anyway, but what bothers me is the execution...I just don't like the arrangements and the vocal style Christine chooses on these. However, I do like four songs here quite a bit, and that's more than one finds on most recordings to savor. My favorites are "Blind Dating Fun", "Replaced", "I Bring Out the Worst in You" and "Katy Says Today is the Best Day of my Entire Life." If I were introducing Christine to someone I hoped would become a new fan, this isn't the disc I'd pick...but if you are already a fan and have most of her other product, you'll want this one also."