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  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Hymns Of The 49th Parallel Image
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 21 Ratings

  • Summary: The Canadian singer-songwriter's Nonesuch debut features covers of songs by other Canadian singer-songwriters, including Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Ron Sexsmith, Jane Siberry, and William Shatner. (OK, so maybe not the last one.) There's also one lang original for good measure.

Top Track

Hallelujah
I heard there was a secret chord That David played and it pleased the Lord You don't really care for music, do you? Well it goes like this the... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Blender
    90
    Every track is stellar. [Aug 2004, p.133]
  2. Every song becomes her own, with each one having just the right amount of torch and twang.
  3. Easily the best of her extensive catalogue of covers albums.
  4. Mojo
    70
    lang's expansive delivery makes the album sound overblown in a few places. [Oct 2004, p.102]
  5. Seems oddly lacking in passion.
  6. Entertainment Weekly
    58
    What's missing are distinctive arrangements or emotional interpretations of the material that would stake lang's own claim to these songs. [30 Jul 2004, p.69]
  7. Q Magazine
    40
    [The songs are] bereft of the joy and pain that made her name. [Oct 2004, p.128]

See all 8 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. DaveM
    Oct 19, 2006
    10
    Wow, I just discovered this cd after hearing a bit of k.d.'s interpretation of "Helpless" on 'Brothers and Sisters.' What an Wow, I just discovered this cd after hearing a bit of k.d.'s interpretation of "Helpless" on 'Brothers and Sisters.' What an incredible cd. Truly. Expand
  2. wicksly
    Nov 5, 2004
    10
    this is one of the best compalations I have ever heard
  3. TracieH
    Dec 17, 2004
    10
    kd has a voice like no other. I think that she could take any song and make it her own. She is passionate about her music. Love the ablum.
  4. DaveT
    Aug 9, 2004
    9
    A good test of an album (or movie etc.) is whether it stays with you in the following days. This does. I even find myself re-hearing A good test of an album (or movie etc.) is whether it stays with you in the following days. This does. I even find myself re-hearing lang's phrasings and interpretations in my memory, instead of the originals (which I know well). She has left her own mark on these gems; and plumbed new meanings that had never occured to this listener until hearing k.d.'s interpretation. Expand
  5. KimG
    Oct 6, 2004
    9
    This is a very soothing album. I love kds voice in the mood. I'm rating this album againest Drag which I love better.
  6. DavidK
    Sep 16, 2004
    9
    I try not to over-analyze music. Basically I listen to what I enjoy, and I really enjoyed every song on this album. k.d. lang has an amazing I try not to over-analyze music. Basically I listen to what I enjoy, and I really enjoyed every song on this album. k.d. lang has an amazing voice, and the arrangements here are beautiful. Having not heard any of the original versions of these songs, I have no point of comparison, but as I said...my ears know what they like. They like this! Expand
  7. J.R.Schrier
    Aug 13, 2004
    4
    k.d. must've had more important things on her mind than recording a CD worth listening to. She's just not in it! And she sounds k.d. must've had more important things on her mind than recording a CD worth listening to. She's just not in it! And she sounds like Karen Carpenter. Expand

See all 15 User Reviews