Jennifer Onesto - Twenty Houses
Tracks:
Isn't It Funny
Picasso
Love Changes Everything
Fractured Queen
When The Train Comes
Here In The Darkness
Answers
Give Me 'Til Morning
Masquerades
Last Dance
Producer - Dustin Parker
Year: 1997
Total playing time: 39:00 m:s
Jennifer Onesto is a new name to me and I'm sure to most of the people visiting this web site. Jennifer is a singer/songwriter. The first time I listened to the album, if found myself comparing it to the style of Mary Chapin Carpenter. In fact, whilst doing a bit of research when writing this review, I seem to remember reading an interview where Jennifer was asked about MCC being a common reference point for many listeners. I've only got one MCC album - Stones In The Road. Jennifer's album features a more 'electric' sound compared to the mostly acoustic Stones In The Road.
Isn't It Funny is a catchy opening that creates a good first impression. Picasso follows and this mid-tempo semi-acoustic tune is one of the songs where the MCC comparison comes through the strongest. Maybe a bit of Joan Armatrading evident on this one as well.
Love Changes Everything takes on a Caribbean lilt, with a pseudo-reggae beat and steel drums. I quite like it, but I could have done without the steel drums. Fractures Queen is back to MCC territory. It moves along quite nicely. You just know what When The Train Comes is going to sound like - fiddle and chug-chug (or should that be puff-puff) rhythm. The most 'Country' sounding track.
Hear In the Darkness is my favourite song on the album. Again it is MCC meets first album style Jamie Kyle. It has a good chorus and the Dire Strait-ish guitar part works well. Answers continues the good work and is in a similar style.
Give Me Til' Morning adopts a vaguely Cajun style. At first this one didn't work for me, but yeah - I like it. Masquerades has you thinking about MCC again. Mid-tempo again, but slightly more gentle than the last couple of tunes. The album finishes off with a ballad called Last Dance. A bit of cliché. I'm afraid I usually hit the stop button before the end of this.
Jennifer has created an enjoyable album that I've played quite a few times when I've been looking for a change from the usual rock fodder that frequents my CD player.
Rating: 7/8
For more information check out jenniferonesto.50megs.com
