MT. PLEASANT mixed & produced by Grammy-winner Trina Shoemaker (Sheryl Crow, Lucinda Williams) “Float On” featured in the October PASTE MAGAZINE sampler “You’re Not Alone” to be featured in the December/January RELIX MAGAZINE sampler Recent Press: I've known Jennie for years. She has a big voice and an even bigger heart. You'll come to know both intimately in this, her most fully realized set of songs yet. If you care about the struggle for love and happiness – and who among us doesn't? -- this one's for you. Joe Levy, Rolling Stone Although she lives in New York City now, Jennie Arnau grew up in South Carolina. Listening to her new album, the title of which refers to the coastal town where Arnau used to vacation, one is reminded of the old adage about being able to take the girl out of the country but not the country out of the girl. Produced by Trina Shoemaker (Lucinda Williams, Queens of the Stone Age, Emmylou Harris), Mt. Pleasant curiously adds a hint of west coast folk to the prevailing Americana sound of songs such as "Float On", "You're Not Alone" and "Bottle Rocket". The best track, "To Live Without Love", features an airy guitar riff that nicely weaves in and out of Arnau's voice, which is strong without sacrificing its femininity. She might reside in the Big Apple, but to paraphrase James Taylor, in her mind Arnau's gone to Carolina. No Depression “A healthy dose of country reverberates from the first single “You’re Not Alone” off of singer/songwriter Jennie Arnau’s recent release, Mt. Pleasant. This year’s full-length album is destined to become a hit with college radio, Americana music fans and genre-riding cowgirls half at home in country and western and half in ass-kickin’ rock and roll. “Who Will Come With Me” is edgy and gutsy, filled with thick guitar and entrancing organ. Dramatically the tempo drops and “Holidays” shoes a more seductive and jazzy sound from the singer. The album as a whole shows great depth and eclectic influence running from jazzy and light to dark and mysterious. Not only does the great singer write solid songs, she has a tasteful band backing her. Adam Lerner’s guitar intro into “Margaret” flows effortlessly in to possibly the most appealing song of the album. When the mandolin and cello come about on “Hang The Moon,” the album sees it’s best instrumentation. Seductive piano, accompanies the deep rich tones of the cello and Jennie’s voice flows effortlessly atop of the masterpiece.” - Honest Tune When I first saw the title to Jennie Arnau’s new album, Mt. Pleasant, I instinctively thought of the little town in South Carolina of the same name, but assumed that Arnau meant something different…she didn’t. The album was in fact named for that town. And although she’s based in New York these days, she’s originally from South Carolina. Mt. Pleasant is an eleven song disc featuring production by Trina Shoemaker (Dixie Chicks, Lucinda Williams) but more importantly featuring good songwriting from Arnau. She often refers to it as southern rock, but don’t come looking for Skynyrd or Charlie Daniels here. Tracks like “Holidays” may fit better under “southern-fried-jazz” while others like “You’re Not Alone” (my favorite from the disc) sound a bit like Train fronted by Kelly Willis. Jennie also shows she doesn’t take herself too seriously (a very important quality in this business) with lyrics like, “You smoke when you get drunk and stupid” on the poppy “Bottle Rocket.” Overall this is a very strong release from Arnau running the gauntlet in style and character where each song leaves you guessing what’s coming next. I’m sure we’ll all be hearing a lot more from her in the near future. Twangville.com “NYC artist on the rise…” TheDeliMagazine.com Before we actually get into the review of Jennie Arnau's latest effort, "Mt. Pleasant," I'll just go ahead and get the most pressing question out of the way. Yes, the album's title does indeed refer to east of the Cooper River. Although Arnau calls New York City home these days, she grew up in South Carolina. The CD title is sure to guarantee a few sales here in the Lowcountry, but don't make that the only reason you check out Arnau's work. The music contained within is solidly written and beautifully performed. Songs such as "Float On," "Who Will Come With Me," and "Holidays" blend a definite Southern Americana sound with a hint of the California folk-rock style. The two best tunes on the CD are "To Live Without Love" and "Bottle Rocket." "To Live Without Love" features a very catchy guitar riff that blossoms into an epic song about sacrificing actual love to stay close to someone beloved. "Bottle Rocket," with its ultra-catchy melody, should already be on the radio. Arnau's voice is difficult to peg if one insists on comparing it to someone else's. The closest I can come in that regard is to think of Shawn Colvin, although stronger and with a twang, and mixed with perhaps a bit of Kate Pierson from the B-52's. The truth though is that Arnau has her own sound, and hopefully the excellent music on "Mt. Pleasant" will allow that sound to be heard by a wider audience. Download These: "Who Will Come With Me," "To Live Without Love," "Bottle Rocket". Devin Grant, The Post and Courier, Charleston, SC Jennie Arnau’s “Mt. Pleasant” CD is musically inspiring. It’s good to hear a female singer who doesn’t have to scream to sing the notes. Arnau has a really, really good voice and an individual singing style. It is encouraging to me as a reviewer/writer to not be able to categorize a singer or musician. This means that the artist has developed his or her own original sound. The closest combination of female singers that I can use to describe Arnau is a perfect blend of Loretta Lynn and Deanna Carter with hints of Dusty Springfield. She’s very cool indeed. The majority of songs on “Mt. Pleasant” were written by Arnau, and she shows some strong songwriting skills, also. The song “Dust Bowl Days” is a deep thinking song. Though the name suggests a time long ago, I have interpreted it to be about the current state of things in our country and world. She suggests that people should have more compassion and caring for one another. It’s an outstanding tune with absolutely amazing guitar effects that reminded me of the Jimi Hendrix Electric Ladyland track, 1983 A Merman I. “Bottle Rocket” is easily a pop hit. Is this one on VH1’s top 10 yet? It’s catchy upbeat, B-52ish tempo is charming. MTV and VH1, I hope you read this review and put Jennie Arnau in your top 10 rotation right away. The song “Float On” gives a good indication of Arnau’s singing ability and the vocals on this one are crystal clear. It contains some good chord changes, too, and I like different chords in songs. It’s more fine music by a great new artist. Rich McCracken II / Metro Spirit At first listen, this fourth release by New York-based former South Carolinian Arnau came off as appearing a bit on the over produced country pop-ish side, as if it was trying too hard to make those all important mainstream radio playlists. Well, ‘Blaaat, wrong answer’, no cigar for that one, not even close. Further investigation reveals that she’s not over produced, she actually does sound the same/that good live, without all of the studio tweaks and fiddling around that can make a mediocre performer sound impressive. This time it’s all the real McCoy. She’s got an impressive set of pipes that can adapt to a multitude of styles, from a soaring anthem to determination and grit, “You’re Not Alone”, to the neat jazz/blues fusion of “Holidays”. Drawing inspiration from personal experience, her songs have that flavor that can only be described as “real”, and her backing band does exactly as a good backing band will: they provide the musical loom upon which Arnau weaves her lyrical tapestries, embellishing without overpowering. This one deserves a real-time live listen. – Freight Train Boogie.com Jennie Arnau is a South Carolina native who moved to New York to nurture her music. At first glance this album has a strong flavour of the West Coast with its harmonies and guitar licks. Look again and there’s the whiff of the South with barrel house piano and the distinct vocals. ‘You’re not Alone’ has all these. Then there is the dense guitar and dark tones of ‘Who will come with me’ an indie anthem leavened by Hammond organ and a vocal that could be Siouxie Sioux in her Banshees pomp. ‘Holidays’ is a confessional where the vocals recall Natalie Merchant. Etc. etc. As the cd continues the listener gets a sense that each track is an exploration of a different style, a magpie’s album. This could lead to a sense of fracture but the whole is maintained by excellent, consistent production (Trina Shoemaker) which gives the album shape and identity. There is a sense that the cd dips in the middle; Margaret and Dustbowl days being slightly overwrought but it is soon on track again with the poppy ‘To live without love’ and the upbeat ‘Bottle Rocket’ and closes with three killers ‘Hit the Ground’ – sharp guitars and widescreen sounds, ‘Hang the Moon’ – sultry vocals and dripping piano and strings and the bonus track ‘Naked’ – complex rhythms and killer chorus and harmonies.– Keith Hargreaves / Americana UK.com A native from South Carolina, singer/songwriter Jennie Arnau captures your attention with her gusty, fragile voice and bluesy, bold and bittersweet music that is quite distinctive. With the production savvy of Grammy-winner Trina Shoemaker (Sheryl Crow, Queens of the Stone Age, Emmylou Harris) and Arnau's good songwriting, Mt. Pleasant, is finely crafted and a richly textured blend of country, pop and rock. While Jennie shows she doesn't take herself too seriously, her lyrics give listeners an honest look at her life, both the ups and downs. One of the most extraordinary tracks on the album, "You're Not Alone, " inspired by a friend battling with cancer is anything but melancholic. Arnau's third album has mastered versatility with her brusque wail of "Who Will Come With Me," to jagged "Hang The Moon," to the coyly ambiguous tale of "Margaret." – Music News Nashville Reviews of Superman Won’t Take The Call “This local thrush’s imminent Superman Won’t Take the Call proves both her and her band capable of a husky uplift and rhythmic wallop rarely heard in the female-folkie field. Nashville belters like Joe Dee Messina or Martina McBride would be proud to tear into small-town geo-sociological explorations as earthily popwise as “Tallulah Falls” or “The River” or the Carolina twister romance chronicle “One More Day.” And Jennie’s fine with blues riffs and Nirvana basslines, too.” Chuck Eddy, Village Voice “If Superman won’t take the call, then he’s missing the boat… Her voice can pierce your heart one moment, then turn right around and calm your spirit the next. Her thoughtful lyrics and solid instrumentation make you want to kick the volume up a notch, sit back and soak it in. “One More Day” is hopefully romantic, easily pictured married to some dimly lit TV love scene. “The River”, a classic country, bluegrass mountain ditty, is a foot stomper for sure. And the cut “Without It” is an insightful look at life with veiled undertones of a deeply spiritual journey.” Singer Magazine