Broadway belter stands for her own music (I Stand - Idina Menzel)

Member Name: carbyjo

Product:	I Stand - Idina Menzel
Date:	05/06/09 (2 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some very powerful tracks: I Stand, Brave, Where Do I Begin, My Own Worst Enemy

Disadvantages: Not enough "pure" vocals

The first of Broadway singer/actress Idina Menzel's albums to gain any recognition in the music world, and rightly so. Menzel has an amazingly powerful voice and this album is packed full of belters which show it off well, whilst also managing to occassionally show the purer side of her voice. What really stands out about this album is that Menzel has written many of the songs herself (in collaboration) and it's clear that she writes of things she cares about.

Highlights of the album are I Stand (the title track), Brave, Where Do I Begin and My Own Worst Enemy. I Stand is a powerful track in Menzel questions what anyone actually stands for. Brave is similarly powerful, and will appeal to fans of her theatre work. Where Do I Begin is a beautiful love song written for her husband, and My Own Worst Enemy documents her own personal struggles with self-esteem and how she views herself.

There are a few downsides to the album. I would have liked to hear more of the purer tones of her voice, which are so beautiful but so little used because of her being known as a "belter". The UK release of this album has 4 extra tracks, which are a nice addition (particularly Defying Gravity) but I find myself having to skip past the dance remix of Gorgeous every time I listen.

All in all, this is a good album which will be appreciated by fans of Idina Menzel, but I would also recommend it as a fairly "easy listening" album for anyone looking for something new.

Summary: Highly recommended, but will mostly be appreciated by those already fans.