Coldwater Jane – “Bring On the Love”
What the world needs now is love. So said Hal David, and so say Brandon Jane and Leah Crutchfield, the two sisters who comprise Coldwater Jane. Brought up singing gospel in a family band, they pursued individual music careers in Nashville and New York before reuniting to form a duo. They caught the ear of producer Wayne Kirkpatrick (Little Big Town) and were already hard at work on their debut album by the time Mercury Nashville came calling.
Given Kirkpatrick’s past projects, it will probably come as no surprise that the Eagles, Tom Petty, and Fleetwood Mac figure highly among the duo’s influences. Equally unsurprising, their debut single is only nominally country, which would almost have to be the case for it to stand any chance of fitting in with the likes of Taylor Swift and Love and Theft on country radio.
Typical quibbles aside, though, it isn’t half bad. It’s even quite a bit better than it has a right to be, given that it’s a first single from an unknown act. While the lyrics tend toward the pedestrian, Jane (lead) and Crutchfield (harmony) put them over with an assurance that reminds of The Wreckers in their too-brief heyday. No sign of debut jitters as far as the vocals go. What’s working against them is the overly familiar feel of just about everything else – lyrics, melody, production, and all.
Overall, “Bring On the Love” is a likable enough slice of country poptimism that sounds every bit as good as anything put out by Big Machine’s Coppola sisters or Curb’s BOMSHEL, but no better. So, it’s hard to know what to do with Mercury’s Coldwater Jane just yet.
This isn’t a bad introduction to the act – it doesn’t make me averse to hearing future efforts – but if they’re planning on sticking around, these sisters are going to have to find or write material that does a better job of distinguishing them in the increasingly crowded girl duo market. Likable and pleasant just isn’t enough to cut it these days.
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January 29, 2010 at 10:07 am
Here’s the latest summary of reviews on this website. I did NOT pick and chose to make a point. As far as I know these are sequential through January 18. I might have missed one but this is pretty accurate. I will list the reviews name, artist’s name, and “opinion”.
Wilcox – Coldwater Jane – DOWN
Deusner – Todd Jones – DOWN
Malec – Fast Ryde – DOWN
Boldt – Katie Armiger – DOWN
Gazdziak – Jo Dee Messina – DOWN
Justus – Taylor Swift – DOWN
Thanki – Jewel – DOWN
Boldt – Lady Antebellum – DOWN
Wilcox – Craig Morgan – UP
Justus – Alan Jackson – UP
Gazdziak – Emily West – UP
Boldt – Reba McEntire – UP
Deusner – Carter’s Chord – DOWN
Justus – Danny Gokey – DOWN
Thanki – David Nail – DOWN
Boldt – Martina McBride – UP
I think these are all the single reviews for January thus far. Eleven DOWNS and five UPS.
Not that I disagree with each one of the “downs”. But anyone can go out and pick a song they do not like and rate it accordingly. Of course the obscure alt-country acts seems to be treated more positively here; however they are not well known to the casual listener.
Seems like the proverbial “boy crying wolf”. If the majority of the supposedly expert “ratings” are down, then said ratings will lose their relevancy.
Maybe this is why most critics leans towards negativity. I mean, who would want to listen to a critic who actually praised something.
My critique on the 9513 critics thus far for January? Still forming my expert opinion and will give my conclusion at a later date.
Blessings to all and happy singing/playing!
January 29, 2010 at 10:08 am
Sorry but the first paragraph was wrong as these should be reviews for month of January.
January 29, 2010 at 10:33 am
…the only thing that’s lacking to complete this back to the future experience is a delorean car somewhere. oh yeah, which one is jane?
January 29, 2010 at 11:50 am
CM said: “Overall, “Bring On the Love” is a likable enough slice of country poptimism that sounds every bit as good as anything put out by Big Machine’s Coppola sisters or Curb’s BOMSHEL, but no better.”
Yes, yes, but how do they compare to Big Machine’s Carter’s Chord and the “Country Girl Diva” single from the Two Timers?…(lol)
Two Timers Free Download: http://www.countryweekly.com/images/cw/209800/59985.mp3
Why labels continue to sign acts that have little to no chance of airplay at Top 40 AirHead Country Radio is beyond me. Is BOMSHEL opening the door a bit these days? We’ll see…
January 29, 2010 at 4:15 pm
As a passionate follower of country music and pretty well versed in the ways of Nashville I gave this song a quick listen. I have to disagree. With playlists being dominated mainly by male artists and the females lacking some passion and distinction I really like Coldwater Jane. I find their voices unique and the message and lyric positive and easy to sing along to. It gets in your head. With the difficulties of breaking through as a female I think this song is a good introduction to country radio.
January 29, 2010 at 4:47 pm
I would also have to respectfuly disagree. Its a breath of fresh air to have a new artist release a single that isnt simply just for the “Shock Value”(Maybe women who sing with their clothes on will be the new trend). I find it to be a very well penned song,and the production is emaculate (upon further research,its CO produced by Wayne kirkpatrick AND Kevin kadish,not simply the former).Their vocals seem to be very strong,and from what I can tell,there doesnt seem to be much tweaking. All in all,I cant wait to see what comes from them in the future.
January 29, 2010 at 5:43 pm
Sorry Mark/Jason, we old timers here can spot posts from label and artist related P.R. flacks from a mile away. It was a nice try though, so you are awarded one brownie point for effort.
January 29, 2010 at 6:36 pm
I would have to disagree. I have heard these girls sing and they have strong vocals, write their own songs and can work a crowd! They have been in the music business for 10 years so this is not “new” to them. Looking forward to hearing more from them!
January 30, 2010 at 7:47 am
@rick: I guess I need to look for job with a label/PR firm then,because apparently im good at it.Maybe it would be a good idea not to accuse your readers of swaying opinions before you have all the facts ;)
January 30, 2010 at 11:34 am
Add to my list another DOWN for Trace Adkins’ latest. Thanks Justus. You are now 3 out of 4 “DOWNS” for the year.
Wow. Real impressive.
February 3, 2010 at 11:28 am
I would have to disagree with this review. This song is a great start for this duo. I too have heard them live and all of their songs are amazing. Their sister harmonies truly stand out among all of the duos I’ve heard…..
February 9, 2010 at 4:46 pm
Thumbs down? Again? This is my stunned face :>0 “Equally unsurprising” is the fact that you lumped Coldwater Jane in with all the other Country Chick duos. With the current division over politics and all the hatin’ going on in this country we need all the “poptimism” we can get on the radio!You had it right at the beginning of your review “What the world needs now is love”…So Bring On The Love! A splash of some Coldwater might be just the thing we need to remind us of that! I do agree with you that this sister duo is “Likable and pleasant” but I strongly disagree that it “just isn’t enough to cut it”…unless we’re talking about the review of this song.
Peace
February 22, 2010 at 6:42 pm
I too, TOTALLY disagree with the review of this song. The lyrics are good and the song is very catchy…it stays in your head. The message and their method of presenting it is fresh and free. I love that they used Salvation Mountain for their video shoot. I can’t wait to hear more from Coldwater Jane!