In the spirit of her Wicked showstopper "Defying Gravity," Tony Award winner Idina Menzel has entered the pop arena determined to empower listeners on her third solo album I Stand. There are songs here that will connect with her fans and may even draw in some new converts. However, the Broadway style doesn't always transfer well on record through individual songs. It is a blessing the album is brief (10 songs clocking in under 40 minutes) preventing the sameness of production style from becoming boring.
When Idina Menzel Challenges Herself She Soars
Much of I Stand sticks close to a Broadway production style in which a song's soft beginning leads predictably into a crescendo of sound determined to deliver its message of empowerment and strength with aural determination. However, these songs are not the album's strength. It is when Idina Menzel is challenged by a slightly different approach that her striking voice soars.
On "Gorgeous," a Latin-inflected pop context leads into a timeless rock-edged chorus which matches Menzel's powerful voice note for note. The aggressive sound of "Don't Let Me Down" is a reminder of the highlights of Celine Dion's welcome move into gently rocking new territory on her album Taking Chances.
Substituting Vocal Dynamics for Sincere Emotion
Too often on I Stand, Idina Menzel, and her primary producer, pop veteran Glen Ballard, allow changes in vocal dynamics from whisper soft to powerhouse loud to substitute for true emotion in her delivery. An appealing edginess to Menzel's vice makes brief appearances in "Enemy." Future exploration in this direction could make Idina Menzel's subsequent pop recordings a significantly more rewarding listening experience.
Top Tracks on 'I Stand'
- I Stand
- Gorgeous
- Don't Let Me Down
- Perfume & Promises
A Welcome Venture Into Pop Territory
Idina Menzel's move from the Broadway stage and world of film (Enchanted) is a welcome experiment for pop fans. For an indication of the best blending of these disparate worlds, the album's closer "Perfume & Promises" is a stellar exercise. Menzel wraps a confident, even accusatory, tone in a new age haze that sounds a bit like Enya after imbibing a few stiff drinks. Ironically, the song dwells on the shame of a lover being wasted by playing things too safe. The next time around Idina Menzel could eliminate concerns about her immense vocal talent being wasted if she would step more dramatically away from musical safety.
Album released by Warner Bros. January 2008.
