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Reviews for Forgive or Forget
SingOut! Magazine - A beguiling, compact program. Jenny opens with “Raining in My Heart,” originally recorded by Buddy Holly, and follows with nine originals. Her songs have a vintage C&W feeling you can’t find much these days. I especially like the two Tim O’Brien adds harmonies to – “Final Season” and “Ripple Effect.” Jenny’s voice is a warm embrace. Steve Dawson’s production and support from lots of Black Hen session regulars are both solid.
All Music Guide - On her fourth solo album, the Juno Award-winning songwriter offers ten likable and engaging country-tinged folk-rock tunes that inspect all aspects of romantic love, delivered in a confident voice with excellent backing from a band that includes drummer John Raham (Kinnie Starr/Be Good Tanyas). Black Hen head honcho Steve Dawson provides a variety of tasteful (and tasty) guitar textures throughout, and also produced the album, doing a great job of showcasing Whiteley's songs with just enough gloss to make them pop, but not so much that the subtle melodies and smart lyrics get outglittered. The CD is front-loaded with slower-burning numbers, but takes off midway with the powerful minor-key waltz "Truth and the Eyes of the Dead," followed by the tart and spunky "Ripple Effect." Whiteley exercises her pure country chops on "Cold, Cold Kisses," on which she breaks out a sultry vocal, supported by spine-tingling harmonies and poignant pedal steel. The poppy "Slack" -- featuring the catchiest melody of the bunch -- comes alive with a jaunty Wurlitzer hook courtesy of Chris Gestrin (Night Crawlers, Randy Bachman) and the album ends on a high note with the ultra-tuneful "Half Life."
Musik Reviews - Simple melodies can be the easiest to sing, but the hardest to sing well. It's up to the vocalist to make a simple song interesting with the right presentation. Folk melodies have acres of wiggle room for interpretation. Whiteley brings her songs to life with deliberate, artful phrasing. Everything about the record screams 'attention to detail.' The lyrics are satisfying, poetic stories told with clever rhymes (essential for good folk or country music). They're poignant but not at all sappy like the country schmaltz that fills airwaves. The songs are well-written and a few of them are real gems like “Half Life.” Producer Steve Dawson makes mince meat of all the run-of-the-mill country music out these days. The adventurous array of organs, synths, and unexpected guitar sounds boosts the album to darkly – tinted sonic excellence. It sounds fresh and interesting, and reminds me of Wilco's awesome mixes.
Jenny Whiteley is an award – winning singer with over a decade in the spotlight. She's the best folk singer I've never heard before and I'm glad I finally did
Star Phoenix - Whiteley mixes her lonely, almost spooky voice right up front as she meanders through folk, country, bluesy and sometimes rock territory, mixing genres as fast as her excellent musicians can switch from electric guitars and mellotron to banjos, dobros and mandolins.
There may be broken hearts, but, to quote one title, There Was Love. And, in Ripple Effect, with its lilting country rock, she sings of a love so good she couldn't live without it. Then, in the lovely Kind Mirror, she sings of waking up at 40, when she needs her lover to show her a kind mirror.
In the slow and dark Truth and the Eyes of the Dead she warns "get out while you can/cause you can never be my man," and then in Slack, she turns to a bright pop arrangement to convey her anger at a man when she's had enough. The guitar work here is superb.
Whiteley's got a knife-edge to her quiet approach. Watch out.
Press+1 - One of the most charming and honest interviews I have ever had, Jenny Whiteley's music reflects both those qualities.
Whiteley's voice is a jem, sweet and smooth and a perfect fit for her roots, country and blues compilations. Forgive or Forget is a great album to listen to at any volume, and will certainly tailor to any company that you might have over.
The album kicks off with a cover of Buddy Holly's "Raining In My Heart," an excellent mix of jazz and heartbreak; a well constructed homage to a seminal rock and roll star. "Day Without Words" hearkens back to a feeling of missing family, and a loneliness when a loved one is gone.
"The Final Season" has hints of rock infused with Whiteley's country-styled voice. It reflects the complexity of relationships that grow and fall apart once you pass your 20's and into the rest of your life.
"Ripple Effect" is a happy, upbeat song that is something that we could be humming when in love, and is probably amazing when performed live, particularly for a duet. Hopefully we can all find that someone that makes us feel that "I couldn't live without you."
"Kind Mirror" exemplifies the adage in the title, where Whiteley sings about having someone who can look in the mirror and forgive you, no matter the faults that they bring to the table.
A complete album thoroughly worth buying and owning, Forgive or Forget will have a warm and welcoming ripple effect on the listener.
Blog Spot - Jenny’s first two albums won Juno Awards for Solo Roots/Traditional Album of the Year. Those awards set high expectations for her subsequent recordings, expectations that Forgive or Forget meets or exceeds.
Babysue.com - Canada's Jenny Whiteley has been a successful artist in her home country ever since she released her debut album way back in 2000. Success in the United States has eluded her thus far in her career...but it certainly isn't for a lack of good solid songs. On Forgive and Forget Jenny writes about the ups and downs of love that occur over time. Produced by legendary producer/songwriter Steve Dawson (pretty much everything this man touches turns to gold), this is a slick and professional sounding album that never suffers from sounding too slick and professional. Whiteley spent about four years recording these songs. Some folks are already claiming this is the best record of her career. We haven't heard her entire catalog so we can't make such a claim. We can, however, report that this album features nothing but home runs. In a world full of half-talents and wannabes, Jenny Whiteley easily stands out as the real thing. Killer tracks include "Raining In My Heart," "Final Season," "Cold, Cold Kisses," and "Half Life." TOP PICK.
Spill magazine - I really love intelligent lyrics and Jenny Whiteley’s poetry and word-smithing is superb on her new album, Forgive and Forget. Whiteley teams up with world-renowned Canadian producer Steve Dawson, who can turn almost any song into ear candy. His production genius makes a potent elixir of great performances and smooth sounds from start to finish. Stand out tracks to listen are: “Forgive and Forget,” which has a really nice ’70s style production and gorgeous vocal performances all around including backups and harmonies. “Kind Mirror” is straight up goosebumps; it’s a soft ballad with reverbed electric guitar pads floating in the background in a Lanois-esque style. “Cold Kisses” is a cool, spooky country twanger with whiny pedal steel and deadly harmonies that put you in the moment of serious heartbreak. Watch out for the song slack, its catchiness will creep up on you and stick in your head for days. Forgive or Forget is a solid album from start to finish.
Metro - Jenny Whiteley has one of the sweetest voices in Canadian alt-country and she’s got two Juno awards to prove it. Steve Dawson.