Album, Single and EP Reviews


 

 

  Elegie by Ginnicide


Elegie cover art

Artist: Ginnicide
Title: Elegie
Catalogue Number: No catalogue number
Review Format: CD
Release Year: 2007



Bluesbunny is convinced that musicians live on a different plane of existence than the rest of us. Perhaps that is part of the appeal of music as the artist - and Ginnicide is most certainly an artist - bring something of their magical world into ours.

"Even though I walked through the valley of death …" That phrase hits us in the first song, "Martyr", and sets the tone for this 12 track album. Any album where God makes the first song is likely to strike fear into the Bluesbunny. The arrangements of many of the songs are heavily piano driven adding a feel of melodramatic song further fuelled by the dramatic, even overwrought delivery of Ginnicide. She can sing - that's for sure - and we suspect classical training. Her range and intonation is impressive and she seems deeply committed to her music. Of the songs, "That Voodoo" veers away from the inspirational in a rather impressive and atmospheric way. "I've Had Enough", in contrast, would fit into your standard Hollywood teen movie. That piano returns (along with the drama) in "Please Let Me Go". Any song about showgirls ("Sinnamon") will always please the Bluesbunny ears even if it has a way over the top arrangement. Mind you, all songs about showgirls should be over the top in the best Sondheim way so we can't criticise that and there are certainly a few potential showtunes in here anyway.

A diva in the making? Could be. Ginnicide's album proved to be a bit disconcerting. It came across like Celine Dion doing a set of devotional songs at times but there were definite undercurrents of something altogether darker. Not exactly sure what or maybe it was the drama of it all that knocked us off balance. Perhaps greater variety in the tempo and arrangements might have clarified things somewhat as some of the songs come across like modern type hymns. However, there is little to dislike and Ginnicide should have mainstream appeal but might confuse more than a few used to the simpler things in life. Available from CD Baby.


www.myspace.com/ginnicide
Reviewer:
Review Date: December 26 2007