Somewhere between the overwrought Gothic drama of Tori Amos, and the blatant (though watered-down) derivation of that drama which is Paula Cole, lies Jennifer Terran. 'Cruel' is comprised of 14 of this Los Angeles native's composition from 1991 through 1996 and each song is more joyfully painful than the last, like a cut on your finger that you can't stop playing with.

Many of the arrangements are a juxtaposition of Terran's discordant piano playing and the smooth, rubbery double bass of Terran's "sweet darling," Brendan Statom. Terran's voice is both structured and soulful, as she ponders everything from female objectification to canned food. Some of the tunes trip over themselves trying to make a convoluted point. "LA 101" is another in an oh-so long line of urban laments, though Terran has the good sense to give KCRW mad genius Joe Frank a cameo. And although it perfectly captures the obsessive way in which some people treat their cats (present company included), "Kitty I Can't Stand It" is nevertheless predictably uncomfortable.

Terran, however, does succeed in becoming one of us- and not one of them (see above)- with earnest efforts like the brief yet mesmerizing 'Write a Song', recorded in Melanie meets Myrna Loy-phonic sound, and the yearning, autobiographical 'Her Fall (oh Jennifer).' All in all, 'Cruel' and Jennifer Terran fall into that all too frustrating category of: if that can be a hit (see above again), why cant' this…

By Scott Lenz
Whole Life Times, California

CLICK HERE TO HEAR WHAT JEN HAS TO SAY ON THE TORI COMPARISON / JEN INTERVIEW