CD Reviews

 

k.d. lang

Invincible Summer (Warner Music)

Kathryn Dawn Lang is another one of those artists that you can instantly recognise from her first line. Those soulful drawling vocals, that are only just on key. She grew up in Alberta, Canada and her first ventures into music were very much country-style oriented; winning a Grammy as Best Country Vocal Performance in 1989.

Just before her acclaimed Ingenue album in 1992, she declared herself a lesbian, and along with that affirmation came a more mainstream, less country album. It spawned the huge hit Constant Craving, which inspired another Grammy. It's accessible tunes won her a more widespread audience, and after a break for a soundtrack album Even Cowgirls Get The Blues, she delivered All You Can Eat in 1995. Like it's predecessor, all country influences had virtually disappeared. Her last album was the smoking inspired Drag in 1997, though k.d. herself is a non-smoker.

Invincible Summer lives up to it's name well; a light and breezy collection of tunes for a summer day. That shows up in the first single Summerfling, along with the more mellow Suddenly and equally fine Simple. All the tracks have that trademark childlike charm, which have earned lang such a dedicated following.

Though it remains a style that can grate as easily as attract. Like one k.d. track and you'll love the rest, but if you find those vocals just a bit too heady, then forget it. Get past that and you'll appreciate a collection of poise and allure. She is also notable for always using lower case letters for her name. The obvious exception to girls on top.