BEST CDs of 1996
A deep, mystical and often disturbing journey into
a complicated and troubled psyche, "Cruel" documents Terran's directed
search for her center. What emerges is as ambitious and complete an
album as any record released anywhere, far and away the best locally-produced
CD of the year. The transition from an anguished yearning desire for
success beyond mere survival to a place of confidence and inner peace
is captured in a single moment: the segue between "Write a Song" and
"Fat," which share a focus on the craft of songwriting. The dissonant
minor-keys and bullhorn-compressed vocal of "Write…" push the tortured
lyrics ("I'm going to write a song today and with or without inspiration
I'm going to play it") toward resolution in "Fat," which swoops with
the breathy elegance of Joni Mitchell as Terran bristles with self-assurance
("Love is so fat/ it's going to suffocate the rats/ That brought you
dis-ease") The balance of the art-pop record is largely spare and minimalist,
with Terran accompanying herself on piano, frequently solo. But she's
not stingy with the melodies, when the subject calls for musical beauty.
"Cruel" is a resolutely compelling album of rare grace and uncompromising
passion.