Something Changed by Jeni Varnadeau

" ~The Dallas

Morning News

"Jeni Varnadeau's songwriting talents and her evocative vocals, provide an

intriguing mixture that works effectively on this collection of edgy

acoustic rock tunes." ~ Billboard

JENI VARNADEAU ‘SOMETHING CHANGED’ (GO GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT)

Female singer/songwriter from the USA with a debut CD release that does sound like the latest female fronted rock sensation from the USA. Opener “I’m waiting” hit like a hammer, a fantastic midtempo AOR song with a very catchy chorus you keep singing for days after you heard it for the first time and of course wonderful vocals of JENI VARNADEAU, who is coming out of Tennessee. Another girl who sounds better than KELLY CLARKSON and a song like this is defrinitely also interesting for the regular AOR fans of the HEART/COASTLINE/VIXEN/WITNESS kind. The following songs are slightly poppier and are better classified as melodic poprock of the top 40 kind, but still very impressive and definitely the kind of stuff which should be huge in the charts. Other highlights are the songs with the same kind of rocking melodic AOR chorus as the opener “I’m waiting” (which by the way is definitely the best song on the record!), such as “I am winter”, “Afraid” and “Stop me”. A bunch of strong catchy chorus driven aor/melodic rockers and the rest is poppy ballad orientated, all very much in the KELLY CLARKSON style, but then again Jeni is a better singer, who also writes her own songs. More info at: http://www.jenivarnadeau.com

Strutter Magazine

From the Phantom Tollbooth

Something Changed

Artist: Jeni Varnadeau

Label: Roryn Parti Entertainment / Distributed by GoGlobal Entertainment

Length: 10 Tracks / 34:23

Released: August 2006

"If you wanna take a ride to somewhere else I'm waiting, I'm waiting," are the words that open Something Changed a spectacular album from Jeni Varnadeau. Since the 1997 release of the Colors of Truth,  there has been no denying the abundant vocal talent of the Albuquerque New Mexico native. Something Changed, however, represents a new dimension in Varnadeau's songwriting ability.  The opening track, "I'm Waiting" is a splendid collaboration between Varnadeau and the song's producer Scott Williamson. 

Something Changed is Pop Rock at its best, with good hooks, melodies and an upbeat tempo. Varnadeau penned solo or collaborated for all of the grooves on the disc. 

The many vivid colors of Something Changed can be attributed to the numerous producers who contributed to the creation of the CD. Joining the aforementioned Williamson (tracks 1, 5, 6) are Kevin Perry (2, 3, 8) and Stephen Leiweke's work on "Silly Me" guarantees another hit song. In addition to his many production credits, Leiweke's guitar and keyboard work has surfaced on the albums of Ginny Owens and Rebecca St James. Tommy Collier was in the studio for "Afraid" while Matt Bronlewee's (Natalie Imbruglia, Rebecca St James) hand guided production on "Hammer In My Hand." 

The voice distortion that introduces "Cutting Strings" and reappears later in the track adds a welcome offbeat dimension to the hooky pop tune. This song has number one hit written all over it. The words to "Cutting Strings" are brought to life by Varnadeau's passionate vocals;  

 I am cutting strings that tie me down

 I am cutting strings 'cause I’m tired of being bound

 I won't be enticed, entangled with your lies

 I'm cutting strings so I can fly

 I am cutting strings 

I especially liked the musicality that Varnadeau and producer Kevin Perry achieved with "Just Like You." The song is introduced with Parisian accordion elements and ends the same way. 

"Silly Me" and "I Am Winter" explore the many moods of the artist. The singer confides in her cat in "Silly Me." The monologue is a reminder to chill and enjoy life in the midst of stress and calamity. In the later track we hear the singer thanking God for being a safe haven. The lyrics are highlighted with "I need your warmth when life's storms blow" and "only you can save me from this avalanche."

Although the electric guitar work of George Cocchini and Greg Hagan is good what really caught my ear was Hagan's acoustic strumming on "Afraid " (7th track) and "Hammer In My Hand" (9th track). 

You won't want to listen to the song "Miss You" without a box of Kleenex nearby. If you have ever lost a sister, brother, child or parent your heart will break as you recall the loss and the life that may have ended far too soon. The song is dedicated to the memory of Jeni Varnadeau's sister Lisa. 

Not only did I love Something Changed but I became a big fan of Jeni Varnadeau as I spun the disc over and over again.

By Joe Montague, exclusive rights reserved

Joe Montague is an internationally published journalist / photographer. His ministry is dedicated to the memory of his late son Kent David Montague who went to heaven at the age of 18. All copyright and distribution rights remain the property of Joe Montague. 

BIO

Jeni Varnadeau is always moving. After a hefty morning workout with free weights at the Uptown YMCA in Downtown Nashville, when most of us might be tempted to wind it down just a little, Varnadeau is picking up speed.

"I love to walk," Varnadeau said climbing aboard a treadmill. "I love this because I can read and workout at the same time. I get more done that way." She laughs - but she isn’t joking. This five-foot tall bundle of kinetic energy gets more done in less time than your average person.

Although the steps she takes on this treadmill seem to go nowhere, her resolve in completing this workout is symbolic of the determination she demonstrates on a tremendously more significant journey - one that will transport Varnadeau wherever she chooses to go.

What you notice first about Varnadeau, at home in Nashville, taking a rare break from a concert tour to promote her latest project, is the shockingly red hair, the bright eyes and flashing smile. But when you spend some time with this gifted singer/songwriter, you get the sense of the emotion, compassion and desire that drive her. She sees clearly where this journey is taking her, and she won't let any detail along the way - or reflection from the past - go unnoticed.

As demonstrated on her new album Something Changed, songwriting continues to be one of this artist’s strengths and the backbone of her appeal. "The more I write," Varnadeau muses humbly, "the more I realize how far I have to go as a songwriter, but that’s good. There's always room to grow. I always want to be growing, learning and getting better at those things that I'm passionate about. When people listen to a singer/songwriter - in person or on a record - they want to take something with them. With every song I sing or write, I hope that the listener is somehow encouraged, and challenged to think- whether it's through a lyric, a story, or just a sincere smile. I hope that others with be encouraged that they're not alone. When someone tells me how a particular song has touched him or her, that touches me and makes me feel like God is using me to be His hands and feet of love and joy to the world. And that's pretty mind-boggling- in a cool way."

With all the accomplishments and successes of her career - five albums, major national tours, six top-ten radio hits, two movie soundtracks and two number one videos, Varnadeau has experienced some painfully low lows.

By far the worst was the unexpected death of her older and only sister in 2001. It was due to a virus, and it’s sudden attack rocked Varnadeau's world. "It was a huge loss to all of us- her husband, her four young kids, our parents, and myself, among many others. She was a huge role model and influence in my life. I still miss her everyday.” Varnadeau sings about this loss on the last song on Something Changed, “Miss You.”

Still, the loss has galvanized Varnadeau's faith, her commitment to her art and an earnest determination to pursue the passions ignited by her sister's influence. "I hope I can influence teenage girls in the same way my sister supported and encouraged me. My sister was a tremendous inspiration in all areas of my life," Varnadeau said. "Many of my passions - building my faith, the love of travel, life, performing, and the French language - were encouraged by her."

Each of these loves are wrapped up in Varnadeau's ChikChat®. ChikChat® is a workshop/seminar for teenage girls where Jeni speaks on self-esteem, inner and outer beauty, and spiritual, emotional, and physical health. Teens who attend ChikChat® leave with a solid belief that they are loved and beautiful. A message teens need to hear over and over again. Varnadeau has also created several books and projects for teenage girls through ChikChat®, in hopes that the ChikChat® themes will be reinforced.

And of course, Jeni’s music reinforces those positive values and themes in her newest project, Something Changed. Her rock/pop style with fun alternative nuances speaks of love, hope, dreams, freedom and life- in an honest and real way. "This album is a great tool to help me reach a broader audience than my previous projects - both musically and lyrically," Varnadeau explains. "I grew up singing in church, but there is a huge world outside the church doors and I want to be able to influence people all over the world."

Whatever country she is in, Varnadeau packs energy, honesty, vulnerability, intensity and professionalism in her shows - making an incredible connection with her audience. “We need each other. Life is hard, but exciting. Let's be there for each other and go through this together."

© 2004 jenivarnadeau.com | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

JENI VARNADEAU ‘SOMETHING CHANGED’ (GO GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT)

Female singer/songwriter from the USA with a debut CD release that does sound like the latest female fronted rock sensation from the USA. Opener “I’m waiting” hit like a hammer, a fantastic midtempo AOR song with a very catchy chorus you keep singing for days after you heard it for the first time and of course wonderful vocals of JENI VARNADEAU, who is coming out of Tennessee. Another girl who sounds better than KELLY CLARKSON and a song like this is defrinitely also interesting for the regular AOR fans of the HEART/COASTLINE/VIXEN/WITNESS kind. The following songs are slightly poppier and are better classified as melodic poprock of the top 40 kind, but still very impressive and definitely the kind of stuff which should be huge in the charts. Other highlights are the songs with the same kind of rocking melodic AOR chorus as the opener “I’m waiting” (which by the way is definitely the best song on the record!), such as “I am winter”, “Afraid” and “Stop me”. A bunch of strong catchy chorus driven aor/melodic rockers and the rest is poppy ballad orientated, all very much in the KELLY CLARKSON style, but then again Jeni is a better singer, who also writes her own songs. More info at: http://www.jenivarnadeau.com

Strutter Magazine

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