Jen Chapin - Linger

Following in the footsteps of a famous parent and obtaining your very own success is a tough task indeed. Barry Bonds is a sterling example of this, elevating his name over that of even his accomplished father Bobby. On the other hand, his brother Bobby Jr., a crack addict, just didn’t cut the mustard. Jen Chapin has a name to live up to, that of the late Harry Chapin. Is she a Hall of Famer or a Crack Addict? I’d say neither. I tend to lean on the side that, while she probably won’t hit the pipe anytime soon, she may just pave her own way. “Urban Folk,” as it is termed, can only be pulled off by a few select ladies. Where Ani preaches about her issues that will bore the average Joe to tears, Jen Chapin busts out the emotionally intense, sultry smooth beat jams without making one feel that they need to light a candle for the latest cause. Linger suffers from a bit of overproduction. The delivery would feel more authentic without the sleek values incorporated into the disc. At times during the album, I feel as if I have time warped and am listening to the latest Poe disc. Overall, though, Linger is a good listen that tends to make one think of kicking back in the velvet lounge with a pipe (non-crack) and drink of choice. [www.jenchapin.com]