Adventures Of Jodelle CD

Every once in a while, one comes across an album in which the artwork and the musical content are like night and day; The Adventures of Jodelle is that type of album. Judging from the cute, playful art work -- Jodelle is depicted in a '60s-like espionage/spy thriller getup that recalls the era of James Bond movies, Get Smart, and The Avengers -- one would expect the New Jersey-based singer/songwriter to provide something fun and frivolous. Perhaps some dance-pop or Europop; perhaps something on the goofier side of punk. But it turns out that The Adventures of Jodelle (her first full-length album) is a very serious-minded, introspective, and often melancholy adult alternative effort that draws on influences ranging from Kate Bush, Tori Amos, and Sarah McLachlan to late-period Beatles. Jodelle, however, isn't as abstract as Amos (although she also plays the piano quite well), and she tends to be more robust than the subtle McLachlan (both in terms of her soaring vocals and her melodies). While comparisons to those singer/songwriters are all well and good, Jodelle is clearly her own person -- and she brings an impressive sense of pop/rock craftsmanship to highly personal, brooding items like "Happy Song" (which definitely isn't a happy song), "All Save One," "Shrinking Violet," and "Damage Done." So why would someone who gives Fiona Apple a serious run for her money when it comes to providing an abundance of dark, troubled lyrics have such a fun and lighthearted album cover? Perhaps Jodelle simply felt like being ironic, or perhaps Jodelle -- after dealing with all those darker emotions -- needed to demonstrate that she does know how to laugh and smile. Whatever the case, her material is generally excellent -- and she shows considerable promise on The Adventures of Jodelle. ~ Alex Henderson

Some indie CDs come and go... but even several months after its release, "The Adventures of Jodelle" continues to receive accolades from fans and industry publications, proving the staying power of Jodelle. Jodelle's work on Adventures has earned her the title of "Unsigned Artist of the Month" from Keyboard Magazine (June 2006) and the distinction of being named a "Top 12 DIY Pick" in Performing Songwriter Magazine (December 2005).

Jodelle co-produced Adventures alongside engineer and producer Chris Badami, owner of Portrait Recording Studios. Badami has engineered and produced releases by The Early November, Roses are Red, Crash Romeo, The Dillinger Escape Plan, and Roark. Badami, who is also a Vater endorsed percussionist, loaned his drumming to the Adventures project. The drumming blends wonderfully with the powerful and flowing chords which resonate through Jodelle's grand piano. A perfect example is "Rabbit Cage" which showcases some of Jodelle's best piano melodies and Badami's best drumming. Jodelle also enlisted bassist Scott Hogan, guitarist Jason DeGeorge, as well as string arranger David Rimelis whose work is featured on several of the tracks. The project was mastered at Sterling Sound by engineer Greg Calbi who has mastered projects by John Lennon, Aimee Mann, John Mayer, Amos Lee, Bob Dylan, and the list goes on!"Jodelle is clearly her own person and she brings an impressive sense of pop/rock craftsmanship..."- Alex Henderson, allmusic "This New Jerseyite brings a sophisticated sense of arrangement and melody to her music, and the work really pays off. Magnificent production decisions like the rich strings on Shrinking Violet bring the maximum power out of Jodelle's piano-driven melodies; it's a very full, very satisfying production... this multi-talent has demonstrated a knack for first-rate songwriting."- Joe McCombs, Starpolish "Jodelle's powerful and intimate style is immediately captivating and her latest album is top notch from the songwriting to the artwork. She has raised the bar for indie musicians everywhere on her sophomore album."- Mark Fisher, gogirlsmusic "Much more than a vocalist with an angelic voice; sh