Ann Vriend

4 ½ Stars  

Reviewed By: Kindah Mardam Bey

Vriend is a gale force of classic soul brought to light by a very youthful but sultry voice. In a world of Britney Spears induced growls and words plastered to heavy beat like her ex-beau Timberlake, Vriend is a comparative breath of fresh, clean and crisp air. This is Vriend ‘s second album and her third is soon to be released later this year, but I am strictly at a loss how this vocal talent has produced two collections without her being in more of a spotlight. Don’t get me wrong, Vriend is spotlight worthy and she travels the world with her collections of songs to audiences from the Rocky Mountains to the sandy beaches of Australia, but she seems to hover just off to the side of the spotlight…skirting it really, for the time being. She will emerge as a signature Canadian talent in time, akin to Sarah McLachlan’s rise to fame, I’ll bank on it.   

This native Albertan has thrown caution to the wind against the corporate oil boom and added a quality of creative depth to the Western Canadian province. Vriend may have been born in white middle class Canada, but the girl’s core is in Jazz, Blues and the 1970s Soul Music. Vriend’s second album Modes Of Transport is a powerful collection of interesting and dynamic tracks.   

So what is rave-worthy about Vriend’s music? Concisely put, she is a witty and poetic lyricist who cuts to the core of emotion with insightfulness clearly beyond her years. Vriend also has a knack for charming melodies (bordering into ditties at times) or sliding over to evocative and melancholia. Above her music and lyrics, is her unique and yet almost nostalgic vocals that are haunting, powerful, even resplendent at times. She reminds me of the great female singers of the seventies who brought power and mood to a song that even the music or lyrics couldn’t draw from. Vriend reaches the high notes with vocal strength, but then draws down to the low notes with equal depth.    

Vriend is a talent beyond her youthful exterior. Songs like ‘Crowd Pleaser’ and ‘You Got Me’ are up beat and memorable tracks, but her true colours shine brightest when she is tackling the more retrospective tracks like ‘Where My Heart Lies’ (which brings thoughts of Nina Simone to mind) and ‘Don’t Cry.’ Whether you are in Australia, Western North America or anywhere in between, seek Vriend out, she’s well worth the search.   

1. 1. Same Thing For You
2. 2. Crowd Pleaser
3. 3. The Invisibles
4. 4. Where My Heart Lies
5. 5. Feelin’ Fine
6. 6. Don’t Cry
7. 7. You Got Me
8. 8. No Stranger To Love
9. 9. Here We Are
10. 10. Backseat Driver

To hear Ann Vriend sing 'Where My Heart Lies' click on the link below.

http://media.clrmedia.com/ann/modes/listener.html?filePath=02.mp3