Danielle H̩bert РMay/June 2003
by Julian Mainprize
Who: Danielle Hébert
What: Ethereal Pop
Where: St. Mathias, PQ
To Contact: Hystar Entertainment, (604) 936-7803, .
Québec native, Danielle Hébert’s latest release The Alien Suite is an exceptional recording. It is her second full-length and first all English release. Although the CD was actually recorded in 2000, it has recently been re-released.
The performances, compositions, arrangements and production on The Alien Suite are all excellent. Hébert cites Beethoven, Miles Davis and Hendrix as early influences, and her compositions reflect this broad scope of styles. The CD’s title alludes to the ethereal collection music within as each song definitely evokes its own atmosphere.
What immediately draws one’s attention when listening to The Alien Suite is Hébert’s hauntingly beautiful voice, both as a lead vocal and in rich harmony tracks. As exceptional as her voice is though, it’s hard not to also appreciate Hébert’s guitar playing. Given its presence in the recording, it is obvious that the guitar, whether an acoustic or an electric cutaway, is Hébert’s songwriting tool, but it is also much more. Basic strumming, hard funk riffing, light finger picking, and lyrical lead playing are all in Hébert’s repertoire and she craftily exploits them all to create her complex musical moods.
Though they definitely play a supporting role, the musicians Hébert selected for The Alien Suite are as equally adept at creating atmospheres as she. From song to song, or even within a song’s form the moods can suddenly change and the musicians adapt beautifully. They are equally capable of minimalist hinting, as they are all-out driving.
Hébert has experienced an artistic epiphany of late and the band she used to support her on this recording and on tour is no longer together. She has taken a musical pause to devote more time to her other artistic passions: sculpture and graphic design. Luckily, music hasn’t taken a permanent back seat in her life and she is currently working on a new project, in French this time. This is good news as it would be a travesty to for her to stop something for which she has such obvious talent.