Search - Vixen :: Live & Learn

Great comeback

lonechicken | Northern, VA | 04/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Definitely a melodic rocker of an album. Jan Kuehnemund doesn't have to worry about the legacy of the band she founded, which was screwed up by the third album (which didn't include her).



Live and Learn starts out very strong with "Anyway" and the title track. "Anyway" has a little bit of Reb Beach's riff on "One Track Mind" from The Mob in it, which is cool sounding but I think that's coincidental. "Little Voice" will be familiar to anyone who got the live album. The songs range from solid to great in quality, without a bad one among them. While I think Tangerine might have had 3 or four adequate songs. Even the first two albums, while good, had one or two clunkers on each.



Jenna Sanz-Agero has a strong voice that has hints of Natalie Merchant in it. Though I think she sounds much more like Jewel on the live album for some reason. So if you ever were curious of how those two would sound with more rocking music, this is sort of an indication. Jenna doesn't have that sexiness in her voice that Janet Gardner had. Not good or bad, just an observation.



The drumming and bass work is good and fits the music very well. Lynn Louise Lowrey (I think) has a very sweet sounding tone to her voice in the background vocals. And then there's Jan, who sounds much improved in chops and songwriting. I really like the solo in "Don't Want It Anymore." This album is a great sign of things to come."

If you love female bands give this a chance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

K. Knox | 02/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I know that some old time Vixen fans might be put off that the only original member in this band is the guitarist, but I look at the beauty of Jan reforming her livelyhood, and giving her fans what they crave!!!!!!! For a band that is not equipped with its original members these girls have undeniable chemistry! I saw them live and they put on an incredible show. The CD is very catchy and the musicianship is tight. The singer has a bit of a Natalie Merchant quality mixed with her own uniqueness. Jan is quite the guitarist, she leaves me speechless. This is a straight up rock album. I love the Cd because it is not overly modern. It doesn't sound dated but they don't throw away their roots."