Big Mood. Judy Blank

My recollection tells me that Judy Blank has several singles on this blog, including a Shane Alexander song 'Something Good', that she co-wrote with Californian singer-songwriter. To my surprise her album 'Morning Sun' from 2018 is on here as well.

Reading the review, I could sort of copy it, as I'm writing for the same reason. Big Mood is a very sympathetic album. It contains the ambition to write perfect pop songs and gets a long way there. Don't expect any danger, as Judy Blank is not out to shock. Instead she pleases and makes for relaxed listening.

Although the U.S. has always fascinated her (as an artist). She travelled and recorded there before, she now works from and lives in the U.S. and, yes, that led to an album where a lot of American influences can be heard, incorporated into her Dutch and European heritage.

The result is a mix of pop songs and ballads, even a stab at being entered into the Great American Songbook at some future point in time. You will find that Ms. Blank managed to make all the songs shine, no matter in what genre they are played. Expect surprising snippets of sounds to enter a song but also small pieces of melodies or vocal lines that seem direct quotes from existing music, incorporated into a song for 2 or three seconds. To my surprise I even found Wet Leg hidden in one of the songs.

Photo: Jantine Talsma

People following this blog regularly will understand that an album like Big Mood is on the fringe of this writer's musical interest. The fact that this is a week with relative rest in the release schedule, created a spot for Big Mood. That said, there is more than enough to enjoy on the album, that deserves to be heard. Let's start with the opening song 'Killing Time'. The line "we're not killing time, time is killing us", is quite a truth to hear in a pop song. Just like the opening line of 'No Thank You'. "I'm not gonna die tonight, if that's alright. I'll just stay alive. That would be better". I tend to agree, Judy. It sounds like a great intention. It shows that Judy Blank is looking well beyond "I love you" or "I hate you".

My favourite song by Judy Blank remains 'Mary Jane' from her 2018 album 'Morning Sun'. With Big Mood she has added several very nice songs to her oeuvre. On my fringe or not, I will keep following her career.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can listen to and order Big Mood here:

https://judyblankmusic.bandcamp.com/album/big-mood