Wanderlust by Jennifer Lee

"Wanderlust" is a powerful and poetic journey into the heart and mind. It is a treasure of emotional depth and mesmerizing melodies. Jennifer Lee's sophomore album is an accomplishment of great magnitude and a tribute to sophisticated songwriting. Jennifer Lee offers up a voice for the new generation of the Tori Amos and Fiona Apple formula--"the girl and her piano," with her own unique sound. Her debut album, "beyond the frame," is a body of work comprised of thrusting piano-driven melodies and darkened, thought provoking lyrics riddled with harsh reality. This singer-songwriter strikes a nerve with her personal life experiences. With songs covering religion and rejection, to rape and suicide, "beyond the frame" is the key to entering this songstress' ravaged heart and spiraling mind. Lee's voice delivers solid emotion--it's like the month of March, it comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. "Beyond the frame is a true story of a girl with a sensitive heart in a not so sensitive world. ALBUM DESCRIPTION "Beyond The Frame" is an emotional journey through the soul of a sensitive, intelligent, societal bruised girl. It is a delicate balance of percussive, piano-driven songs and intimate, raw piano and voice. It is lyrically, emotionally, and musically intense, evolving from dark and orchestral, to moments with hints of light and humor. Just when you think you've reached the darkest moment, a faint beacon of light at the end of the tunnel takes you to a more peaceful place. "Beyond The Frame" reaches in and makes you care about this artist. If you are at all in tune with yourself, you will enjoy this ride. I have been on the hunt for some new music for a while now, and when I typed in "Charlotte Martin", whose music I adore, on cdbaby's "sounds like" search function, little did I know I would stumble onto such an amazing treasure in Jennifer Lee's music. Yes, I completely agree: she sounds like Tori in her early days (and I love early Tori). But I "get" her lyrics more than I get Tori's, and that accessibility translates into my emotionally connecting more with her music. There's no doubt how she feels when she sings each word--you can feel her anger/despair/etc. in your own heart, and the melodies and lyrics are perfectly entwined. I must say that I love all the songs on this cd, but I particularly love "Liquid Ice"--the middle and the ending... with "Would you ask why like me?" and the piano and string arrangement swirling around her voice... It's incredible. I absolutely blast it in my car. I'm always a sucker for a "tortured" girl who plays the piano, and this cd did not disappoint! ℗ 2010 Impressionist Records