(26 October 2008) Aussie-born and NYC-based singer/songwriter Karen Jacobsen excels in her album Kissing Someone Else (Kurly Queen Records (2007) 6 70213 28682 1, 2007). This ten track CD boasts rich melodies, upbeat pop songs and passionate vocals. She has performed with the likes of Norah Jones, Three Dog Night, Deborah Cox, Christopher Cross and Cyndi Lauper, and her music was featured on the television show Dawson's Creek.

She is originally from Mackay near Australia's Great Barrier Reef. She wrote her first song at age seven called "Kurly Queen" which is the name of her record label. She studied piano in her youth and in high school she played Dorothy in The Wiz and idolized Olivia Newton-John. She studied music in Brisbane and then established her career in Sydney as a regular performer on national television shows. She left Australia and arrived in Manhattan where she released two acoustic piano/vocal records. One of her songs was picked up by Dawson's Creek which helped jumpstart her American musical career.

The pop title track, "Kissing Someone Else," showcases Karen's lovely and pure vocals. She combines a delicate vocal delivery with an inspirational edge. There is wonderful and wholesome sound to "So Fast" where she speaks of life and love. She has an endearing approach with her dynamic singing and lovely clarity. A standout track, "Melting Moments," is full of passionate harmonies and absolutely engaging. This song's music video was inspired by Karen’s recent experience in Africa performing for 250 children living in extreme poverty, and includes footage of that performance.

Her amazing vocals erupt in the dynamic "I Believe In This Man." While this song begins with subdued simplicity, she segues into a strong, resolute crescendo. This standout track exemplifies the vibrancy and delightful talent of this artist. She continues in this same vein of determination and strength in "Amazing." She sings with pure abandon and passion that captivates the listener.

"The River Of My Life" is a lovely, melodic piece that has thoughtful lyrics. Her pensive statement that "I want to be somewhere else doing something else with somebody else, I see the river of my life, I see the river passing by" is certainly a statement to which we can all relate from some segment of our lives. She changes pace with the upbeat "Merry Go Round." She adds a toy piano into the mix which gives a whimsical quality to this fast-paced track.

Clear and simplistic vocals highlight "Leave You Love Behind." Gentle strings accentuate the beauty of Karen's pure lyrics. The result is an airy and luxuriant feel to this song. She continues with a contemplative dialogue in "Afterthought" where she says, "I don't wanna be your afterthought, irrelevant, so insignificant like you don't even know my name." She closes out this exciting album with the touching and poignant "It's Time To Say Goodbye."

Kissing Someone Else is a wonderful collection of inspirational, heartfelt and dynamic tunes that captivate the listener. Karen Jacobsen possesses a wonderful talent of being a terrific storyteller along with pure, unadulterated beauty of voice. She has brought her intimate thoughts and musings into a lovely conglomeration of wonderful harmonies and melodies that heighten the spirit.--Audrey Elliot in New York