THIS WAYMichelle Branch
Everything Comes And Goes
... I don't know how long everything's been my fault...
After dissolving her musical partnership with Jessica Harper, Michelle Branch returns to the spotlight as a solo artist on her new record, Everything Comes And Goes. While This Way is contemporary country through and through – a direction that she decided to pursue post-The Wreckers – the lead single may still get crossover airplay on mainstream radio as it still has that signature hook-smart craftsmanship from Branch’s pop roots. It is definitely not as chorus-heavy as her more popular hits. What the song offers though is the smooth and steady flow of the drum beats and guitar strums which makes for easy listening. Commercial viability aside, This Way is another example as to how the simplicity of Branch’s words, sung in the most heartfelt manner, often works to her advantage.
I COULD BREAK YOUR HEART ANY DAY OF THE WEEKMandy Moore
Amanda Leigh
... I'll make this painless, I'll try to be sweet...
Not new to genre transition herself, Mandy Moore shunned her bubblegum pop days and let her career trajectory lean towards a more left field sound. Proving beneficial to her artistic growth, she continues to traverse the path with her vibrant new single, I Could Break Your Heart Any Day Of The Week. The song is mediocre at best, thanks to its horrible production which made it sound like a demo. While the folk-pop infusion merits on having a bouncier, lighter tone (hence, more contemporary) as compared to her recent material, it still fails in comparison to the likes of her magnificent take on Elton John’s Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters (vocally) or to the critically-acclaimed Gardenia, a track which she co-wrote (songwriting). It does get a little boring after some time.
THE FEARLily Allen
It's Not Me, It's You
... now everything's fine as long as I'm getting thinner...
The sound of Lily Allen’s new album deviates from the ska/reggae which she has been known for to that of a more current, mainstream pop. Regardless of her venture to new ground, Allen manages to retain her knack for delivering witty, and sometimes crass, lines. The Fear, its lead single, is one example of this - a clever paradox; a mix of catchy, head bopping melody with her dark yet realistic take on fame and success. The Fear, a legit pop hit as it may be, warrants better appreciation and careful listening to each and every line Allen delivers. Believe her when she says that it’s fucking fantastic.
2 comments:
oh wow! may bagong album ka na ni michelle? inaantay ko yan. hehe i love her. kahit through the whole wreckers phase, tiniis ko siya. haha
re: mandy. i heard she got married. grabe loved yung elton john cover. pansin ko lang mas magaling siya kumanta nung bata pa siya. medyo iba na ngayong tumatanda na lola mo. maganda ba yung new album?
loved the fear din. siyempre the new album isn't as good as her last one pero it's still pretty good. masyado siyang nagpaamerican ng sound. na miss ko yung flavor from the last album ala alfie and littlest things.
@:: cb ::: Nope, Everything Comes And Goes is not yet available. I only have her new single. Ah? I love The Wreckers. It's pretty much a Branch album except she has someone, other than herself, to do harmonies with. Pretty, pretty record.
Mandy and Ryan Adams. They're married. Yup, IMHO, the Elton John cover is one of the best. In fact, Coverage is still one of her better efforts. Well, Wild Hope then Coverage then Mandy Moore. Amanda Leigh is like Wild Hope with a tinge of pop.
Lily Allen is indeed trying to capture an audience in the States hence the new sound. I think it's good though.
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