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Originality makes life very difficult for reviewers because it makes us have to come up with our own new ideas. No longer can we dip into our cache of pet phrases to describe a piece of music that sounds like another piece of music.
Kimya Dawson's Hidden Vagenda is the latest album to invert my world. It is almost completely unlike any other folk rock I've been hearing while somehow remaining entirely familiar. With the Moldy Peaches (her band with Adam Green, who cameos on the intro to "Anthrax") on indeterminate hiatus, Dawson has been recording solo album after solo album to increasing fame and acclaim (Hidden Vagenda was chosen by Entertainment Weekly as one of the top 25 most anticipated albums of autumn 2004).
For good reason, too, because can this woman write! Equal parts political ("Fire") and personal ("It's Been Raining"), and always surprising (check out that machine-gun delivery on "5 Years"), antifolk poster girl Dawson is one artist who is not hesitant to put her whole self on record. And her skill at recording those ideas, along with her ability to know how to approach a song (whether just her and a guitar -- "Lullaby for the Taken" -- with another singer -- -- or accompanied by a full chorus -- "I Will Never Forget"), is remarkable.
She is not afraid to whisper ("You Love Me") or yell ("I Will Never Forget") as necessary, or of a repetitive rhyme scheme. "Viva la Persistence," for example, is a call for reason hidden within a joyous little pop ditty with Jack Dishel's brushing drums where the rhymes just go on and on. And "Anthrax (powerballad version)" -- another rendering of a song from her album My Cute Fiend Sweet Princess -- is more moving that it has any right to be. Her choice of the power ballad (complete with an electric guitar solo from Scott Loving) is perfect for the weight of the message (the events following September 11th). "I Will Never Forget" is also surprisingly powerful for a track that stars both a toy piano and a full chorus.
There is nothing close to boredom to be found at any point during Hidden Vagenda. Each song's style is different from the last while retaining a flow. (The sudden beginnings and endings of several of the tracks on this CD make the album feel like Dawson make a cassette of her feelings -- complete with clicks -- just for our personal listening.) Some songs are melancholy, other are hopeful, but, like in all things, the best ones are a combination of both. And any album that name-drops both Julian Lennon and Scott Ian and has understated cameos from Vanessa Carlton and Stephan Jenkins simply needs to be heard.
I simply love Kimya Dawson, but I really hate this album. It is overproduced. There is far too much extra material. A previous reviewer mentioned "I Will Never Forget" for the chorus, where all of her friends come in. This part makes me cringe. Kimya Dawson made a damn fool out of herself with this. The only two songs that I can actually enjoy off this album are "Singing Machine", and "You Love Me". Songs like "Be Cool" made me fall in love with Kimya Dawson. This CD just made me wince.
When my roommate handed me Hidden Vagenda and told me to give it a listen, I was apprehensive. I mean, who is going to give much creedence to a cover that looks like it was Photoshopped by a 12-year-old? How insanely glad am I that I actually listened.
Every song is amazing, he lyrics are clever and often heartbreaking. Her voice is something that almost fades into the background until some lyrics pops out and tells you to listen.
I was in my car driving home one night listening to the CD when suddenly the lyrics to "Anthrax" caught my ear. She captured the emotion of the September 11, 2001 attacks better than anyone else ever could. There is no false sense of patriotism, just bare observation and raw emotion.
as prewar yardsale says, "she used to be cool... now she's really cool." kimya is a very special songwriter. she brings just what the world needs - truth! i enjoyed a recent performance from her in los angeles and it seems she's gotten even better than when she made the record. i think she is a particularly good influence for young people but she strikes a chord with me as well. i wish i could be so... articulate. yeah, i love that she is so straightforward and outspoken without ever over-hyping anything. thanks to kimya, we get a clear reminder of what it means to be open and honest.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
Great Album, October 24, 2004 A Kid's Review Wow! I have been a kimya fan since the moldy peaches and her first solo album "I'm sorry that sometimes i'm mean" but this is even better. Kimya acheives using a naieve, down to earth method of bringing across subjects that are very deep. Unlike her other albums which were recorded in her bedroom on her 4 track, she recorded at a friends house, and altogether brings across a more group effort. I say that because she has her friends sing on some of the tracks, in fact there is a whole chorus on "I will never forget" and it is stunning. this is a great album! I luv u kimya.
Moldy Peach, Fresh Tunes, September 24, 2004
Songs still beautiful, too much production, November 26, 2005
