Track listing
- 1 God Made Me 3:11
- 2 Surrounded 5:17
- 3 Don't Be Good 4:05
- 4 Believer 3:16
- 5 Grace 3:50
- 6 Wayne 4:45
- 7 Hands 4:33
- 8 Disagree 3:29
- 9 Co-Dependent 3:45
- 10 Green Apples 4:25
- 11 Boot 3:49
- 12 Imaginary Friend 4:14
- Total length: 48:39
Rate/Catalog
Catalog
Set listening
Review
To rate, slide your finger across the stars from left to right.
6 Issues
- Release view [combined information for all issues]
-
-
-
-
Under These Rocks and Stones Bonus Tracks
-
-
1998 CD
5 Reviews
I like this album,. Released just one year after Amanda Marshall's self titled CD, it could have been easily as big success. But it was not, thanks to lack of consistency. Some songs are great, others not. Chantal and Amanda are perhaps the best rocking female Canadian vocalists of 90es.
Published
ADVERTISEMENT
This one ain't easy for me to rate, as it's a wild mix. Post-Alanis rock meshing with piano pop in varying degrees of style and quality. When it's not good, it's NOT GOOD, but when it's good...holy mother of Moses...
Bad comes first, 'cause that's where it lies. "God Made Me" is a self-flagellating jangle-rocker with no small lyrical similarities to Jagged Little Pill's "Hand in My Pocket", but it's Chantal's choice of voice that brings the wince. So welled-up with forced emotion, like she has to shovel the words out of her mouth to get her point across. The chorus does rock-out a little bit though. Big Canadian hit "Surrounded" is another I could never warm up to. The whole "bomb" deal in the lyrics, can't stand it. "Hands" puts aside Alanis Morissette for some chirpy Edie Brickell action, but it doesn't feel natural. Chantal seemed to be trying all kinds of voices from the recent past, looking for the one that suits her best.
Still, some really good stuff too. "Don't Be Good" is top-tier 10,000 Maniacs worship, and Chantal shines on that piano. "Believer" is quality angsty alternative rock back when alternative rock became mainstream yet folks couldn't let the 'alternative' tag go.
But the motherlode of this album has got to be "Wayne", a song so good that it completely overrides the bad songs on this thing. Under These Rocks and Stones (aren't rocks and stones the same thing?) is automatically good because "Wayne" is on it. Simple as that. She kills on that chorus, wailing in my face all melodramatic as hell and I'm punched in the gut thinking "wow, sometimes detached and understated is kind of a wussy option" while admiring that little bit of roughness in her throat. Damnit even the lyrics are great, a downer but open to multiple interpretations. For 90's pop-rock, this is way up there. Epic.
The other songs are fine if you're cool with Lilith Fair rock on occasion, ranging from soft buggers like "Grace" to louder buggers like "Co-Dependent". It's eclectic, like a musical diary of a young woman trying to figure out which brand of pop-rock is her bread-and butter, and I gotta say that it makes this debut a fun ride, gaffs and all.
Bad comes first, 'cause that's where it lies. "God Made Me" is a self-flagellating jangle-rocker with no small lyrical similarities to Jagged Little Pill's "Hand in My Pocket", but it's Chantal's choice of voice that brings the wince. So welled-up with forced emotion, like she has to shovel the words out of her mouth to get her point across. The chorus does rock-out a little bit though. Big Canadian hit "Surrounded" is another I could never warm up to. The whole "bomb" deal in the lyrics, can't stand it. "Hands" puts aside Alanis Morissette for some chirpy Edie Brickell action, but it doesn't feel natural. Chantal seemed to be trying all kinds of voices from the recent past, looking for the one that suits her best.
Still, some really good stuff too. "Don't Be Good" is top-tier 10,000 Maniacs worship, and Chantal shines on that piano. "Believer" is quality angsty alternative rock back when alternative rock became mainstream yet folks couldn't let the 'alternative' tag go.
But the motherlode of this album has got to be "Wayne", a song so good that it completely overrides the bad songs on this thing. Under These Rocks and Stones (aren't rocks and stones the same thing?) is automatically good because "Wayne" is on it. Simple as that. She kills on that chorus, wailing in my face all melodramatic as hell and I'm punched in the gut thinking "wow, sometimes detached and understated is kind of a wussy option" while admiring that little bit of roughness in her throat. Damnit even the lyrics are great, a downer but open to multiple interpretations. For 90's pop-rock, this is way up there. Epic.
The other songs are fine if you're cool with Lilith Fair rock on occasion, ranging from soft buggers like "Grace" to louder buggers like "Co-Dependent". It's eclectic, like a musical diary of a young woman trying to figure out which brand of pop-rock is her bread-and butter, and I gotta say that it makes this debut a fun ride, gaffs and all.
Published
Sometimes in life you just stumble across something totally by accident and it goes on to become something very significant. That, I suppose, is what people mean when they refer to fate. If that is the case then fate is good for me. At least it was way back in 1996 when I discovered Chantal Kreviazuk, totally by accident, whilst trying to track down some Burton Cummings solo albums on a Canadian website. The accidental pressing of a mouse button hovering over the cover of this album in the new release section resulting in me ending up hearing a snippet from "Under These Rocks and Stones" and subsequently ordering it. A decision which was made all the easier by the extremely favourable exchange rate at the time if I remember rightly.
"Under These Rocks and Stones" is Chantal Kreviazuk's first album and hit the Canadian streets (and websites !) in October 1996. America had to wait until the following March, hence the continual confusion on actual release dates created by some publications that seem to think American release dates are the only ones that matter ! The American issue also jigged around with the running order a little and omitted the final track.
Recorded at Conway and A & M Studios in California and produced superbly by Peter Asher and Matt Wallace this album is much harder and more angst ridden than Chantal's later releases. It is still packed full of beautiful intricate melodies though and manages to display a gentleness and vulnerability alongside the energy and controlled anger that was so fashionable in the female singer/songwriter of the time.
Opening track 'God Made Me' explodes from the speakers with a nice riff before the vocal comes in as the song slows a little before building up once again to a powerful chorus. It certainly makes you sit up and take notice. Chantal displaying a nice balance of power and clarity with some great almost rock like backing from some talented musicians. The track ends abrubtly leaving you almost dazed from the sheer unexpected power of it. Second track 'Surrounded' is the one that really kick started Chantal's career. Despite the anti war lyric hampering radio play for a while it was still a big hit. It starts with a nice understated piano before, like the opener, it builds up into a more powerful chorus. However, this is in more of a pop style than the more rock like opener. 'Don't Be Good' is a nice piano led pop tune that is almost a precurser to the hit 'Before You' from the second album. The anger is back for 'Believer' in which Chantal tells us ... " I carry my microphone with me everywhere I go, it makes for a very good dead weight in case of an emergency. In case I need to break your face ....", not something you would expect after the gentle piano intro. The track is basically a rock track and I would suggest it is probably the rockiest recording of Chantal's career. The next track 'Grace' is in total contrast however and is the first of the more traditional piano led singer/songwriter pleas for love. It has a beautiful vocal and a wonderful melody that just brings a smile to the stoniest of faces. 'Wayne' is another song that highlights Chantal's lyric writing ability and again builds up nicely into a powerful chorus. The bridge/middle eight displays her piano playing ability as well as providing the imaginative title for the album itself. Like 'Surrounded' it employs a nice string arrangement. 'Imaginary Friend' which was moved to be the final track on the American issue has a slow melancholy vocal over some more impressive concert piano. Once again the lyrics are far deeper and more thought provoking than on many albums of this kind.
The second half of the album starts with another fast paced rocker in the form of 'Hands' which includes some nice B-3 Organ from Ed Staslum. Personally I would have made this the opening track. Again it has a marvellous hook and quickly gets into your subconscious. The backing vocal from Al Lay is also perfectly mixed in by Asher and Wallace to give just enough of an effect. There are many, myself included, who would have liked to see Chantal continue to record some tracks in this more powerful style on her later albums. Again the lyrics are well above average. 'Disagree' features more strings from Novi Novog and Stefanie Fife on cello and Robin Lorentz on the violin and whilst not the best track on offer here is still above average. 'Co-Dependent' sees Chantal delivering another angrier vocal but in a more staccato style than on the previous tracks. The rhyme of phoney and baloney another nice touch. Despite all the power and angst the absolute standout song for me is the truly wonderful 'Green Apples'. A heartfelt love songs it starts with a simple electric piano solo before Chantal delivers an absolutely perfect vocal. If it doesn't bring a lump to your throat and make you long to have your own green apple and to be someone elses you are probably beyond help. Chantal's voice is packed with feeling throughout. Perfect is an understatement. 'Boot' returns us to a harder sound, at least in the musical passages and lyrically takes on the subject of domestic abuse without holding any punches. Chantal's voice lacks nothing as the song builds to a powerful middle section and ending. The final track on the main issue, for some reason left of the American version, is 'Actions Without Love' a more jazzy type track featuring just Chantal on vocal and piano. It appears to have been recorded live and in truth doesn't really fit with the rest of the album so that may have led to its omission.
It wouldn't be right to end the review without mentioning the quality musicianship on the album either. As well as those mentioned already Chris Burke-Gaffney contributes some great guitar to compliment Chantal's voice and piano playing. He also wrote 'Hands' and 'Co-Dependent' as well as co-writing a couple of other tracks. Chantal wrote or co-wrote all the other tracks on the album except for those two. Bass duties were carried out by Davy Faragher who also provided the backing vocals on 'God Made Me'. The very powerful drums came from Michael Urbano whilst David Immergluck made valuable contributions on pedal steel and mandolin as well as guitar.
'Under These Rocks and Stones" has over the last decade or so become one of my most played albums. It is certainly in my top ten of all time and is my favourite album by a female singer. Some albums just get under your skin and become something extremely special. This for me is one of them and I would recommend it to anyone. In fact it is so good that if you buy it and don't like it you can send it to me and I'll give you your money back !
"Under These Rocks and Stones" is Chantal Kreviazuk's first album and hit the Canadian streets (and websites !) in October 1996. America had to wait until the following March, hence the continual confusion on actual release dates created by some publications that seem to think American release dates are the only ones that matter ! The American issue also jigged around with the running order a little and omitted the final track.
Recorded at Conway and A & M Studios in California and produced superbly by Peter Asher and Matt Wallace this album is much harder and more angst ridden than Chantal's later releases. It is still packed full of beautiful intricate melodies though and manages to display a gentleness and vulnerability alongside the energy and controlled anger that was so fashionable in the female singer/songwriter of the time.
Opening track 'God Made Me' explodes from the speakers with a nice riff before the vocal comes in as the song slows a little before building up once again to a powerful chorus. It certainly makes you sit up and take notice. Chantal displaying a nice balance of power and clarity with some great almost rock like backing from some talented musicians. The track ends abrubtly leaving you almost dazed from the sheer unexpected power of it. Second track 'Surrounded' is the one that really kick started Chantal's career. Despite the anti war lyric hampering radio play for a while it was still a big hit. It starts with a nice understated piano before, like the opener, it builds up into a more powerful chorus. However, this is in more of a pop style than the more rock like opener. 'Don't Be Good' is a nice piano led pop tune that is almost a precurser to the hit 'Before You' from the second album. The anger is back for 'Believer' in which Chantal tells us ... " I carry my microphone with me everywhere I go, it makes for a very good dead weight in case of an emergency. In case I need to break your face ....", not something you would expect after the gentle piano intro. The track is basically a rock track and I would suggest it is probably the rockiest recording of Chantal's career. The next track 'Grace' is in total contrast however and is the first of the more traditional piano led singer/songwriter pleas for love. It has a beautiful vocal and a wonderful melody that just brings a smile to the stoniest of faces. 'Wayne' is another song that highlights Chantal's lyric writing ability and again builds up nicely into a powerful chorus. The bridge/middle eight displays her piano playing ability as well as providing the imaginative title for the album itself. Like 'Surrounded' it employs a nice string arrangement. 'Imaginary Friend' which was moved to be the final track on the American issue has a slow melancholy vocal over some more impressive concert piano. Once again the lyrics are far deeper and more thought provoking than on many albums of this kind.
The second half of the album starts with another fast paced rocker in the form of 'Hands' which includes some nice B-3 Organ from Ed Staslum. Personally I would have made this the opening track. Again it has a marvellous hook and quickly gets into your subconscious. The backing vocal from Al Lay is also perfectly mixed in by Asher and Wallace to give just enough of an effect. There are many, myself included, who would have liked to see Chantal continue to record some tracks in this more powerful style on her later albums. Again the lyrics are well above average. 'Disagree' features more strings from Novi Novog and Stefanie Fife on cello and Robin Lorentz on the violin and whilst not the best track on offer here is still above average. 'Co-Dependent' sees Chantal delivering another angrier vocal but in a more staccato style than on the previous tracks. The rhyme of phoney and baloney another nice touch. Despite all the power and angst the absolute standout song for me is the truly wonderful 'Green Apples'. A heartfelt love songs it starts with a simple electric piano solo before Chantal delivers an absolutely perfect vocal. If it doesn't bring a lump to your throat and make you long to have your own green apple and to be someone elses you are probably beyond help. Chantal's voice is packed with feeling throughout. Perfect is an understatement. 'Boot' returns us to a harder sound, at least in the musical passages and lyrically takes on the subject of domestic abuse without holding any punches. Chantal's voice lacks nothing as the song builds to a powerful middle section and ending. The final track on the main issue, for some reason left of the American version, is 'Actions Without Love' a more jazzy type track featuring just Chantal on vocal and piano. It appears to have been recorded live and in truth doesn't really fit with the rest of the album so that may have led to its omission.
It wouldn't be right to end the review without mentioning the quality musicianship on the album either. As well as those mentioned already Chris Burke-Gaffney contributes some great guitar to compliment Chantal's voice and piano playing. He also wrote 'Hands' and 'Co-Dependent' as well as co-writing a couple of other tracks. Chantal wrote or co-wrote all the other tracks on the album except for those two. Bass duties were carried out by Davy Faragher who also provided the backing vocals on 'God Made Me'. The very powerful drums came from Michael Urbano whilst David Immergluck made valuable contributions on pedal steel and mandolin as well as guitar.
'Under These Rocks and Stones" has over the last decade or so become one of my most played albums. It is certainly in my top ten of all time and is my favourite album by a female singer. Some albums just get under your skin and become something extremely special. This for me is one of them and I would recommend it to anyone. In fact it is so good that if you buy it and don't like it you can send it to me and I'll give you your money back !
Published
ADVERTISEMENT
Well if only Chantal had stuck to this side more than the whiny pop side of things then she might have been better known in the UK,angry,rocky call it what you want it`s far more interesting than her other offerings.
Published
Chantal Kreviazuk's debut album _Under these Rocks and Stones_ was released around the same time as most of the "angry female rockers" but this brings something new to the table. This is definitely more orchestrated than most of the angry albums and the piano proves that Chantal has some classical background in her.
On this album, I'm more of a fan of her angrier songs. Where her vocals are louder and stronger sounding, such as the opener "God Made Me", the pissed off "Believer", and the storytelling "Boot". Other standouts are "Co-Dependent", the hit single "Surrounded", the tribute "Wayne", and "Hands".
Chantal was at a couple of Lilith Fairs as well. Chantal's music here is adult alternative (later albums are geared towards a more pop audience) and I would recommend it for fans of Sarah McLachlan and Tara MacLean. And if you like her newer material, you may want to check this out as well.
On this album, I'm more of a fan of her angrier songs. Where her vocals are louder and stronger sounding, such as the opener "God Made Me", the pissed off "Believer", and the storytelling "Boot". Other standouts are "Co-Dependent", the hit single "Surrounded", the tribute "Wayne", and "Hands".
Chantal was at a couple of Lilith Fairs as well. Chantal's music here is adult alternative (later albums are geared towards a more pop audience) and I would recommend it for fans of Sarah McLachlan and Tara MacLean. And if you like her newer material, you may want to check this out as well.
Published
Votes are used to help determine the most interesting content on RYM.
Vote up content that is on-topic, within the rules/guidelines, and will likely stay relevant long-term.
Vote down content which breaks the rules.
Vote up content that is on-topic, within the rules/guidelines, and will likely stay relevant long-term.
Vote down content which breaks the rules.
Catalog
19 Sep 2023
3 Sep 2023
8 Jul 2023
-
1
God Made Me
-
2
Surrounded
-
3
Don't Be Good
-
4
Believer
-
5
Grace
-
6
Wayne
-
7
Hands
-
8
Disagree
-
9
Co-Dependent
-
10
Green Apples
-
11
Boot
-
12
Imaginary Friend
24 Jun 2023
18 Jun 2023
5 Jun 2023
-
1
God Made Me
-
2
Surrounded
-
3
Don't Be Good
-
4
Believer
-
5
Grace
-
6
Wayne
-
7
Hands
-
8
Disagree
-
9
Co-Dependent
-
10
Green Apples
-
11
Boot
-
12
Imaginary Friend
2 Mar 2023
23 Feb 2023
7 Nov 2022
28 Sep 2022
15 Aug 2022
1 May 2022
27 Mar 2022
19 Jan 2022
-
1 God Made Me
-
2
Surrounded
-
3 Don't Be Good
-
4 Believer
-
5 Grace
-
6 Wayne
-
7 Hands
-
8 Disagree
-
9 Co-Dependent
-
10 Green Apples
-
11 Boot
-
12 Imaginary Friend
13 Jan 2022
Contributions
Log in to submit a correction or upload art for this release