CORNERSTONE - review added 5th March 2009
Album Review: Head Over Heels (2008)
For fans of: rock... and Fleetwood Mac
Right, before we go any further, we need to clear something up... this Cornerstone is not the Cornerstone featuring Doogie White and Steen Mogensen. This Cornerstone is from Austria and features Anja Schirmer (vocals), Michael Wachelhofer (bass), Stefan Wachelhofer (guitar) and Hannah Wachter (drums). Both bands have existed for several years and are quite happy with the existence of the other, but they are not the same band. Got that? Good. Then let us continue...
Anja spends much of the album sounding uncannily like Stevie Nicks. Seriously, there are moments where, if someone told you this was S.N. singing, you'd accept it without a moment's thought. Many of the songs have a mid-speed dreamy vibe reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac too, although perhaps with a more flamboyant rhythm section. You certainly couldn't accuse Cornerstone of copying Fleetwood Mac, but the influences are clear.
Head Over Heels takes a little time to find itself. The first few songs are pleasant enough but ultimately a tad forgettable. 'Ready To Go' is the first hint at greater things, 'I Can't Even Say No' is a further step ahead. 'Something In The Way', however, is all about the contrast. There's a throbbing bass in the mix and the vocals are surprisingly urgent. The change of style works well and makes you wish more of the album had adopted this attack.
'Fade Away' is undoubtedly the best track on the album. The chorus is hugely memorable, the musicianship and writing combine with real harmony too. 'Stefania' is a pleasant bridge to the bonus tracks. It makes you feel like you're drifting through cotton wool clouds on a rug made from candyfloss. And that's if you don't even take drugs.
For fans of slower to mid-tempo music, Head Over Heels is a real find. The songs have an aura of class and panache to them you could put down a catwalk in Milan. The overall feel is of sophistication and understated excellence... and that is perhaps the problem. The album really does spend a lot of time being impressively understated, so much so that it never really taps into your emotions. I like it, a lot, but I don't think I could ever love it. You might though...
*Please note: since the recording of this album, Anja has left Cornerstone to be replaced by Carina Sethaler (who is reputedly just as strong vocally).
Check out... Anja's vocal likeness to Stevie Nicks. Scary!
Track List:
1. Something to Say
2. Regret
3. Leave
4. Ready to Go
5. Crises
6. Better Than You
7. I Can't Even Say No
8. Changed
9. Something in the Way
10. Fade Away
11. Stefania
12. Regret (U.S. Radio Version)
13. Fade Away (U.S. Radio Version)
Label: Atom Records
Artist's website(s): Cornerstone | MySpace | Facebook
