FEMMUSIC.COM
Album Review by Elizabeth Nitz
Guitarist and singer/songwriter Lynette Vantreese has Dar Williams' gift to turn a story about nothing into a wonderful, catchy song. Lynette's debut album showcases her natural, sweet voice and complex, sometimes dark melodies. Producer, co-pilot and husband Brett plays a mean set of acoustic and electric guitars. Drums, keyboard, bass and cello are sprinkled tastefully throughout. There is a bit of pop in her folk/rock and a strong depth of character and musicianship.
With more than a hint of Suzanne Vega and Shawn Colvin in her songwriting style, Lynette rocks out expertly in "The Emerald Girl" and "One More Chance." The Dar-esque acoustic epic "Peterborough Street" details an apartment she occupied at age 19. She paints a vivid portrait. She sings, "The sky is the color of New England chowder, the rain beats down like bullets from a gun," in sad, biting "He's Leaving," giving the listener a chill from both her music and lyrics. Lynette leaves us with passionate tale "The Lost Daughter of the Land."
Training in classical and opera music obviously gave her the talent she needed to create this professional-sounding, interesting collection. Look her up as she plays around Nashville and the Southeast. For more information please see www.LynetteVantreese.com.
SHAKE! MAGAZINE, NASHVILLE, TN
CD Review by Jess Marich
Lynette Vantreese has a beautiful soul. This album is a rare example of proof that all the young ladies making albums these days don't sing with quirky, affected voices. The music sounds unpretentious from start to finish. The songs are all originals, half of them co-written with her immensely talented guitarist husband, Brett Vantreese, who also produces the CD. These two can sound excellent all by themselves, just guitar and vocal. Though this is a full, rich production including keyboards, bass, drums, and even cello, it has a nice understated quality. Brett's performance is outstanding. Lynette's voice is melodic and expressive.
This moody, acoustic guitar laced music evokes a multitude of feelings. The blue of "He's Leaving" is a place in the heart where we've all been. The bright dawn of "In a Kiss" opens the album on a poetic, positive note.
I wouldn't say the lyrics on this record are negative but there do seem to be cloudy or wintry skies over many of the songs. It's an October album. The cover photography has a gray hazy quality to it. The picture inside is of fallen autumn leaves.
Lynette sings of broken promises, dancing alone, being lost in the wilderness and letting go of romantic fantasies. She laments that things these days aren't as interesting as they were when she lived in an apartment on Peterborough Street. The song "October," marks the memory of letting a lover go. Her words run deep through the rivers of the artistic soul.
There are positive feelings too. In "Reach the Stars," love gives her strength like an eternal flame. Other examples such as love singing sweetly in the garden or someone who was lost coming home keep this album from seeming like a downer. The listener won't get depressed. Instead the songs will bring about introspection, memories and mellow moods. www.lynettevantreese.com
ACCLAIM FROM MUSIC CRITICS
"Vantreese is a singer/songwriting with solid pop chops and a songwriter's voice that evokes Joni Mitchell, Phoebe Snow and Aimee Mann." - The Tennessean, Nashville, TN
"Drawing on such illustrious influences as Joni Mitchell and Shawn Colvin, Vantreese writes compelling, folk-influenced pop." - The Rage, Nashville, TN
"Lynette Vantreese presents a different style, an exciting new sound. Anyone who's given up on hearing literate, highly personal lyrics and fresh pop songs should giver her album a listen." - Ron Wynn, City Paper, Nashville, TN
"Lynette Vantreese makes thoughtful, distinctive rock music with folk and pop influences, but most importantly, she has a singular sound and vision." - November 2002 Critics' Picks, Nashville Scene, TN
"Lynette Vantreese's highly literate, thoughtful and often striking lyrics, as well as her energetic, disciplined vocal style, set her part from many other area singer-songwriters." - September 2002 Critics' Picks, Nashville Scene, TN
"Lynette Vantreese's debut, self-titled CD, a blend of elegant vignettes entwined with infectious melodies, proves this singer is ready to be heard," - Alli Marshall, Mountain Express, Asheville, NC
"Lynette Vantreese may not fit into the country music niche in Nashville, but her music's certainly creating quite a buzz around Music City." - Bob Williams, Black Mountain News, NC
"There's a big buzz building for Lynette Vantreese. She's getting hot reviews wherever she plays." - Tony Kiss, Asheville Citizen Times, NC
"Making a sound all her own, Lynette Vantreese is making waves in Nashville with her unique rock style." - Lynn Taylor Rick, Rapid City Journal, SD
"Lynette Vantreese has the potential with her songwriting to go all the way." - Mark Blake, 'Q' Magazine, London, England
"Lynette Vantreese is Nashville's fastest rising folk/rock artist." - EYEMIX Magazine, Nashville, TN
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