Search - Liz Janes :: Poison & Snakes

Evocative and transcendent music

meow meow kill kill | vermillion | 04/21/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Like all worthwhile music, the best tracks on "Poison and Snakes" deserve repeated listenings.



I've had this cd for a year and I'm still impressed by tracks 6, 7, and 8. Especially track 8, Desert, which creates a mood I've never felt listening to anything else. If it's anything, I suppose it's like a lost track from a gentler Kid A.



Track 6, Vine, is explosive and great. Track 7, Deep Sea Diver, begins with quirky hums and flutters that lead into a compelling but faraway-sounding choir, like the voices of some underwater spiritual pilgrimage.



The rest of the album is more accessible, less hefty. It's all worth a listen."

Not Worth Purchase, Especially At Full Price

M. Baltes | Portland, OR | 09/12/2005

(1 out of 5 stars)

"While Liz Janes has a beautiful voice, she fails to sing with passion or intensity, with the result that most of her songs sound identical.



This album starts out well with "Wonderkiller" and "Streetlight," which may deceive you into believing that her other songs reach an equal emotional intensity and enthusiasm-- or, lacking that, at least be distinguishable and interesting. Her album slides downhill and falls apart after these first two tracks. By the time you reach "Ocean," you may feel disappointed and duped, if you're not already asleep or listening to another, more captivating, artist.



If you like folk, I suggest you search elsewhere, or beat your brains out wondering why you spent the $15+ on an album that reaches mediocre musical maturity, at best. You might consider downloading her better songs on iTunes instead."