Anouk Who’s Your Mama
by Edwin van Hoof
Staff Writer
Emerging from the Netherlands, Anouk has built quite an impressive career over the last decade. Starting as a protégé from Golden Earring’s George Kooymans, her debut was loaded with hits of which the attitude rocker “Nobody’s Wife” broke many records. A consistent stream of releases followed thoroughly building her career and slowly exploring a wider musical specter piling up hit singles and awards. While in the rest of the world this gem was still undiscovered Glenn Ballard jumped in. Mentioning her as the next big thing and best female vocalist of the last decade.
Hotel New York the predecessor of Who’s Your Mama broke all records and set a high standard for this new release to top. Expanding her horizon Anouk added some brass and new grooves resulting in the first chart busting single “Good God” which instantly warped her back to the top ranks of the Dutch charts. Fans didn’t need to adjust and became instantly familiar with Anouk’s new sound selling out big arenas within minutes. The album being recorded by studio musicians in the USA, was supposed to give her a more international approach as well, but lead to a problem as well with her regular band quitting the job upon her arrival home. A new troop of youngsters is now backing up the Dutch Diva reviving the exceptional class of the material onstage as well. Ballard surely did a great thing production wise as well as he added more diversity and international class to Anouk’s outstanding qualities and personality.
Who’s your Mama benefits from the new approach and also reveals a new side to Anouk’s music. Aside the drop dead gorgeous semi ballad “Make it Rain” the Music is displaying a more social critical impact. “Modern World” is an attack on society today focusing on beauty rather than skills and talent. “Ball and Chain” as well gives hints to her new style, but is rather predictable, though also packed with hit potential. Perhaps the best song from her entire career might do the trick: the tear jerker “I Don’t Wanna Hurt”! An absolutely magnificent and heartfelt honest ballad. “Whatever You Say” is a soft pop tune making Anouk expanding her vocals upwards. “If You Were Mine” and the albums opener “If I Go” may be counted to the best tracks from her hand, and may open doors to international stages and radio as well.
The album is packed with allure and it offers enough for old school fans as well as for people only now discovering her music.
Who’s Your Mama marks a new step up in Anouk’s career expanding her horizon and spreading her wings wide. With The Netherlands being won over years ago, it just might be the smartest thing to do. Diversity is wide spread on the album and this might be a fringe with old school fans due to Anouk slowly moving away slightly from her basic rock sound. On the other hand; it only takes time for us to adjust, and we are once more offered a great album from one of rock’s finest female vocalists: ANOUK!
Label: EMI
Track Listing:
01 If I Go
02 Might As Well
03 Make It Rain
04 Modern World
05 I Don’t Wanna Hurt
06 Good God
07 The Difference
08 Whatever You Say
09 Ball And Chain
10 Daze
11 If You Were Mine
8.7 out of 10