CD Review: Joanne Janzen's 'Sad Circus' Light Fun

Jan 22, 2012
Melissa Kucirek

Joanne Janzen's debut CD 'Sad Circus' - Photo courtesy of Joanne Janzen

Alberta, Canada's Joanne Janzen's debut alternative country CD hands over a few smiles, shows lots of potential.

Country music fans are always gushing about the story - the lyrical journey a musician lets the listener tag along. Any fan of the genre will tell you it is the simplicity and creative juices that sometimes can be just downright sweet or even funny that tugs the interest. Indie country singer/songwriter Joanne Janzen has this natural empathy in her voice that will leave listeners with the warm, cozy feeling. She is the sister that sings at the family gatherings; she is the mother that eases the fear during a summer storm; she is the gregarious cousin with a knack for writing prose. She balances it all.

At times this album leaves so much for desire. Where is the folk - soul like a Linda Ronstadt? The tune "Do It All Over Again" has slight glimpses where Janzen walks that tightrope. Her voice is also mature and resounding in "Hanging by a Thread." These are both the standout songs on the nine-track CD.

Some other positive attributes to Janzen's work is her simplicity. These songs are like a soundtrack to being in a family. Her voice is also extremely consistent - which is two fold because she also doesn't show her range. In "Good Place" the song is warm and could be a fun summer hit; but her voice just doesn't shake out of its sandbox and roar. This writer/listener wanted something more from this song.

Life's Lion Tamer

This writer kept thinking what a solid songwriter Janzen is - but her voice just doesn't always match up to the words and the range needed. In her official biography, she refers to sometimes being the lion tamer in life - this writer didn't connect on that level with Sad Circus.

Songs that came close to that next level of sound are "Fear of Flying" and "You Take Me Home."

Overall CD Review

Overall, Sad Circus garners a B review. Janzen is clearly a gifted songwriter and deserves her words to be heard. She has this naturally fun, light, warm voice that makes it easy for the listener to embrace on certain songs. The best song is "Do It All Over Again." Her inner lioness needs to unleash the driving emotion on other songs to leave the listener completely astounded.

Fans of The Dixie Chicks' early work, Pam Tillis, Miley Cyrus and lyrically-driven solo singers will find something they like on Sad Circus.