Customer Reviews

Ghost Stories

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I was very excited for the release of "Ghost Stories". I'm a huge Chantal fan and have all of her albums.

But I must say I'm a tad disappointed by this latest album. While it's still good, I just feel that she was all over the place with some of these songs. There are definitely some hits, but also a couple near-misses. It's definitely a slow-tempo album as well ; very mellow.

The standouts include "Ghosts Of You", "All I Can Do", "Wonderful", and the amazing and haunting "Asylum". But the minor missteps are "You Blame Yourself" and "Wendy House". While not awful, they're definitely acquired-tastes. The rest of the songs are somewhere between brilliant and mediocore.

So while "Ghost Stories" is overall somewhat of a disappointment, it's still a good album.

...that there's no accounting for taste.

I've listened to this CD about twelve, fifteen times now. And I'm quite stunned by the depth, the complexity of the songs. If she were an 'established international artist', this album might be heralded as something extraordinary, be given all manner of press, accolades, etc. As it is, I expect it'll get lost in the shuffle, mainly because it's too 'deep' for some people. (Like the assortment who have taken the time here to register their 'complaints'. Hence my review's title.)

Ms Kreviazuk deserves more kudos than she'll probably receive for this fine effort. A shame, really. But if you're aware of her life, the home she and her husband have created, you'll know that she's doing just fine, and is to be admired, envied even, because she's clearly living the life she's craved...and making the music she wants to make. More power to her.

This is a revelation.

I was a standard fan of Kreviazuk previous work. Good quality pop song and professionnal production. An honest product but no more.

But I did not see this one coming !

This record puts Mrs. Kreviazuk in league of such artists as Kate Bush or Tori Amos.

But the lady have a touch of her own. Every songs had a good mix of strenght and sensibility. And the production work of Raine Maida is without reproach !

Not the ideal party album, but a good introspective trip to a different musical landscape! I recommand this to anyone who were tired of radiophonic crap and were looking for refreshing work.

I have been a fan since 1998, seeing Chantal on her first ever Canadian tour. I would have to say my favourite album from start to finish is "Colour Moving and Still'.

Overall this is not a bad record, warranting a three to four star rating. I wish Amazon had a 3.5 star option as I believe that is what this record merits. I couldn't give it four, so settled for three.

This album has some strong tracks, "Ghosts of You", "All I Can Do", "Wonderful", and "Asylum" have all be mentioned by other reviewers. I believe that the strongest track might be "Waiting for the Sun". This song is probably the track that best represents what Chantal is about, a melancholy singer who deals with life's darkness, while trying to put a positive spin on things.

The album does have its lackluster moments "Spoke on Tongues" and 'Mad About You' are just awful and the other songs not mentioned are somewhere in between. Overall not a bad effort, but the album could have used a bit more zip. Not having any guitar certainly contributed to this reality. Despite the weaknesses the album is still well worth owning, but let's hope next time we get rid of the filler and get a better overall effort

Chantal Kreviazuk is accustomed to co-writing big pop songs for artists like Avril Lavigne (6 tracks from "Under My Skin"), Gwen Stefani and Kelly Clarkson, but now that it's time for her to deliver her own fourth studio album, she chooses to go in the opposite direction, resulting in an angst ridden, sometimes melancholy album that's more gospel than glitter and more personal than Pop.

The first two tracks are not representative of the rest of the album, and on the first listen you may be disappointed that there are not more tracks like these. "Ghosts of You" starts with some sweet, sad strings and then morphs into a ballad lamenting lost love, where she sings "please don't go / these ghosts of you / the only thing that helps get my through the day". The first single "All I Can Do" is definitely the stand out track of the album, and more songs like this would have made for a five star album. With great lyrics like "All I can do is love you to pieces / Give you a shoulder to cry when you need it", this is easily my favorite track.

As I said, you may not like the rest of the album on a first listen, but keep in mind the tracks "Grow Up So Fast", "Wonderful", the gospel chorus of "So Cold" and the stirring, war inspired "Asylum" as you go.

The album showcases Kreviazuk's ability to play a mean piano, which coupled with her plaintive vocals and haunting lyrics makes for some pretty intense listening. It's not going to be the album to get your party started, but you'll reach for it on quiet days when you're feeling a little blue and need something introspective to match your mood. Recommended for the days when a good cry is all you need.

Amanda Richards

I have been a long time fan of Chantal and own all her records. When I first heard the single "all i can do" I raved that Chantal was back writing some of her best material ever. Then I heard the rest of the record. It isn't memorable in the least, and that's a first considering how fantastic all her other cd's were. The songs on "ghost stories" are somber and lifeless, with no real melodic hook holding them together. I wanted to love this CD, but I think Chantal took a wrong turn somewhere and gave away all her best songs to Avril Lavigne, leaving us some awful leftovers. Better luck next time Chantal.

I bought this album with the intent of really liking it. After all, Ms. Kreviazuk has written some great songs. Unfortunately, her best stuff goes to other artists and she has saved what's left for this album. The songs are depressing to hear. That would be OK if they were at least imaginative, melodic, and inspired. They are not. Don't waste your time or money on this trivial, boring disk. However, if you do want a great album from a new Canadian artist, don't miss Theresa Sokyrka's latest, "Something is Expected"! It's everything Kraviazuk's album isn't: imaginative, inspired, beautifully delivered, and a pleasure to listen to.

It really irks me when people who say that they are fans of Chantal and then they say that her new album sucks. Well, artists change all the time. Grow up, you yuppies and go back to the rock that you came from. Anyway, this album is AMAZING. "Ghosts of You" is a perfect track to open this album. She sounds raw and beautiful. I can't wait to hear this song live. "So Cold" is a gorgeous song. Her vocals are flawless. "Grow up so fast" is another stand out track, she is truly top form with this album. Other masterpieces from this album are : "Asylum", "Spoke in tongues",and "Mad about you", but I always play this c.d right through and I never skip a track.

I think this album is great! It may not be as polished as *what if it all means something* but I love that I can hear something new everytime I listen! I wish more artists were as passionate in the their music and tried new things like Chantal does. I listen to every song on the cd so I can't say there are any I don't like. Give it a couple spins you will see what I mean. -JERRY

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA USA

As a previous reviewer stated, I too am I big fan of Chantal's, so it pains me to have to rate this CD so low.

I found it an uninspiriing CD with not a lot to get excited about. There are moments when Chantal's unique style and sound come through, but not enough for me to recommend this CD to others. A big disappointment as she usually has me entranced and loving her music.

Oh well, maybe next time! I definitely know from past CD's Chantal is a great artist!!