March 2005
Rather than complement the songs, the videos distance the listener from them. Colvin is either mouthing the words or singing a take were not hearing, and the TV imperative of changing scene every few seconds is followed. That may hold some viewers till toothpaste or fast-food time when conveying a coherent plot, but songs have traditionally stood on their own, so visuals must do more than merely exist to justify themselves. Joni Mitchells influence on Colvin is obvious before Colvin mentions it in the interview that is track 14. But Mitchells masterpiece-creating ability is not transferable, and Colvin is not the first to wind up in a pile of jazz chords and heavy-but-meaningless lyrics after colliding with her. It is a shame Columbia pushes it on youngsters. By finding her true voice as a songwriter, Colvin might get herself out of foggy production effects and vocal affectations and use that Martin as something more than a prop. Then her album covers might not have to show her as a teenage-boys sexual fantasy. GO BACK TO: |