Anet / Annette Ducharme

Country of origin:

Canada

Type of music generally:

Pop/Rock

Status:

Most recent album, Tortured, 1997/2000.

See also:

Official Anet site

Her MP3.com page as Anet

A fan site

Comparisons:

Janice Durham; maybe a touch of slightly more mainstream Dalbello or Sara Craig

Covers/own material:

Mostly own

General comments:

This is basically straightahead pop/rock but her albums have some wonderfully quirky moments that give this a wonderful sense of life, and she's got a powerful voice, knows how to use it, and can write songs with killer hooks. (neile@sff.net)

she's great. i had a few songs of hers on a mix from someone, her voice and music is great to listen to. very pop at times, but more intelligent than mariah carey-esque songs. great cd! (enzo1@idt.net)

I'm also a fan of Annette Ducharme who apparently has written for other artists such as Tom Cochrane, but has a couple albums out herself. Her first, Blue Girl, was basic '80s pop/rock, but great lyrics. Her last, called Don't Argue With Her in the States, while still retaining pop sensibilities, is a little more sophisticated. Annette is melody-driven pop-rock, on the melancholy side on "Don't Argue With Her") with a nice way with lyrics. I find her stuff extremely catchy, and if you're not afraid of pop melodies (actually her stuff is more complex than your basic pop song) then you should definitely check her out. (c. 1995, colford@noblenet.org,)

In my opinion Annette is a much better writer than she is a performer. I prefer Tom Cochrane's performances of Annette's songs to those of Annette herself. She does write some great stuff though. (c. 1995, carnivore@bigfoot.com)

Recommended first album:

Don't Argue With Her or Tortured

Recordings:

• Real Life ep (1981)
• Blue Girl (1989)
• Sanctuary (1994)
• Don't Argue With Her (also released as Bloom, 1995)
• Tortured (1997/2000)

sanctuary

Release info:

1994--Beggar's Bliss Records/Page Publications Inc., 800 Steeles Avenue West, suite B210-138, Thornhill, Ontario, Canada L4J 7L2--BB 1000-2

Availability:

Available in Canada

Ecto priority:

Recommended for pop/rock fans

Group members:

Annette Ducharme--vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboards, bass

Guest artists:

Tom Cochrane, David "Boots" Gogo, Jordai Birch, Todd Simko, Russ Klyne

Produced by:

John Webster

Comments:

This didn't do that much for me--basic pop/rock. Would be fine for fans of more mainstream music than I tend to like. (neile@sff.net)

Don't Argue With Her

Release info:

1995--Beggar's Bliss/Sony (Canada)--2244-29595-2

Availability:

Wide in Canada

Ecto priority:

Highly recommended for pop/rock fans

Group members:

Annette Ducharme--guitar, keyboards, vocals, backing vocals

Guest artists:

Randy Black--drums
Tad Olson--bass
Al Vermue--guitars
Niko Quintal--drums
Rob "Looch" Lulich--chugs, solo thing
Steve Crane--additional guitar
Tara MacLean, Saffron Henderson--additional backing vocals
Jerry Wong--10 second solo
John Webster--keyboards, percussion

Produced by:

John Webster

Comments:

I got this free from a local used disc shop after I bought some other stuff, and it's the best freebie I've ever picked up like that. Great, quirky rock, interesting lyrics, and the songs are put together in intriguing ways. I'm surprised she's as obscure as she is. I think this album is full of delights. Each song has a different flavour but plays off the songs near it. Some rock out and some are more contemplative, but overall the disc is lively and fun. I highly recommend this one--definitely worth real money! (neile@sff.net)

Tortured

Release info:

1997; 2000 re-released as by Anet

Availability:

Mail order, check with sales@anetmusic.com

Ecto priority:

High recommended for pop/rock fans

Group members:

Anet (Annette Ducharme--vocals, guitars, keyboards
Stewart Fazekas--drums
Beau Cook--bass

Guest artists:

Shannon Saunders--violin on 2 tracks
Hans Araki--aeolian pipes on 1 track
Troy Samson--bass on 1 track
John Webster--mellotron on 1 track, backing vocals on 1 track
Danielle French--backing vocals on 1 track

Produced by:

John Webster and Anet

Comments:

After belatedly discovering that this was still available by mailing the sales address at Anet's website, I ordered and got a copy quickly. This is a strong follow-up to Bloom/Don't Argue With Her and is very much in the same vein: Anet's strong vocals, hooky songwriting, energetic rock sound. I highly recommend this disc to anyone who likes lively, interesting pop/rock.
     I gather this was originally released in Canada as by Annette Ducharme, and has a re-issue as by Anet. (neile@sff.net)

Further info:

Email anetd@home.com