Basia Lyjak - The Complete Collection

Basia Lyjak - The Complete Collection
2010, Basia Lyjak

Canada’s Princess of Rock N Roll, Basia Lyjak, has created quite a stir with a series of singles that combine the rough edge of 1980’s rockers such as Pat Benetar, Blondie and Joan Jett with some of the pop sensibilities of artists such as Celine Dion or Chantal Kreviazuk. Lyjak has the voice and the look of a superstar. A demo of Lyjak’s singles, The Complete Collection, fell into our hands recently.

The Complete Collection opens with "Never Wanted Anything", a powerful, emotional rocker with shades of Pat Benetar and Celine Dion. This is a solid, radio-ready track with real oomph and honest emotion. "What It Feels Like" is an angry tune that allows Lyjak's rough edges some elbow room. "Don't Talk" is a great rock single with serious pop credentials that could be a hit with the right push. "Stuttering" would be entirely at home on 1980's pop radio and has one of those choruses you simply can't get out of your brain. This may be one of Lyjak's best overall tunes to date. "Torn" gets a bit repetitive, but has a big solid radio-ready sound that's likely to gain it some attention. "Lies" is pure anger and vitriol in song; solid rock songwriting with pop pre-texts. Lyjak saves her best for last; "Bye Bye" is a potential chart hit with a big upside. Get this song placed on the right TV show or movie soundtrack and you have the potential for this one to go viral.

Basia Lyjak combines the aura of a pop star with the rough edge of 1980's rock queens such as Joan Jett, Pat Benetar and Blondie. Lyjak perhaps isn’t ready to take the crown of Lee Aaron, but the day may come when she’s knocking on that door. The Complete Collection should be just a start for Lyjak, who has the sound and style to build a solid career at the glamorous crossroads where rock and pop meet.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Basia Lyjak at http://www.basialyjak.com/ or www.myspace.com/basialyjak. Lyjak sells her singles and downloads directly through her own website, cutting out the middle man and saving listeners big dollars over what the big box e-tailers charge. You can also get digital with Amazon.com or iTunes. Photo credit: Ron Boudreau.

Review: Basia Lyjak - Writings On The Wall

Basia Lyjak - Writings On The Wall
2007, Basia Lyjak

Toronto’s Basia Lyjak is on the rise. Starting out as a member of the short-lived pop band Aphrodisia, Lyjak quickly broke out on her own. Not fitting into the pop princess mold, Lyjak sings from the heart and from the gut. On CD you hear just Basia Lyjak, without computer enhancement or pitch correction. Her second EP, Writings On The Wall, sets the tone for a long career with songs full of passion and chutzpah. There’s no holding back.

Lyjak opens with the wonderful frenetic Stuttering. A strong punk rock sensibility turns into a big rock chorus that's part Lita Ford and part Debbie Harry. Lyjak has that slightly pouty rocker girl sound that was popular amongst the queens of 1980's rock/metal. Her voice is quite a pleasant listen, in fact, with just enough edge to make her believable as a rocker. Bye Bye is a low key modern rock song with a big chorus that allows Lyjak to spread her wings somewhat. This is a highly commercial tune that should do very well on radio and in licensing. Plastic lets Lyjal open up her pipes and let us know what she's really made of. The results are tremendous, as Lyjak at full volume is a real treat to listen to. There's an almost Idina Menzel quality to her.

Torn is a pleasant rock song, but a little too much like most of the other modern rock you might hear on the radio to stand out. The EP closes out with Lies, a slowed down rocker that doesn't really pick up the sort of energy displayed on the first three songs until the chorus. The song is full of angst but doesn't seem to every quite get out of its own way with regard to energy level.

Basia Lyjak is quite a talent. Her big, strong voice can blow you away but is supple enough to handle soft passages without any difficulty. Writings On The Wall is a smash for the first three songs, and just okay for the last two. Not a bad ratio, in fact. I recommend Writings On The Wall to my listeners as a great starting point for an artist, and a good to great listen.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Basia Lyjak at http://www.basialyjak.com/, where you can purchase a copy of Writings On The Wall.