Amanda Leigh

[Doubleshadow]

I hate mass manufactured pop, I really do, which made the late nineties a severally annoying time for me. However, something good has come from it.

Reminding me somewhat of Regina Spektor, oddly enough, Mandy Moore (yes, really!) and the 70's singer/songwriter inspired turn in her music has turned up some music worth listening to. I really like "I Can Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week".

Anyone else listening?

[yukoxholic]

The 90s was the teen pop era which was unfortunately, destined to fall. Much like boy bands, girl dance groups, and New Kids On The Block before the “adult” comeback. Though I have to say bubblegum pop made a big splash. It was worthy of airplay at the time (still is nowadays) and very catchy, everyone was listening to it even if you hated the song you probably new all the words because it was played so much and had it stuck in your head for weeks. Heck, you still even hear certain songs from back then on the radio today not to mention younger artists are now remaking those same songs and we’ll probably still be hearing all that pop in years to come. Now, the music industry trends have changed a lot and I‘m still unsure if it‘s for the better.

To be honest I never thought Mandy Moore's earlier albums were all that tragic. Yes, she sounded really nasally at the time but each album had specific gems that lead us to what she produces today. I think once she got away from all the standards a female pop-singer had to have at that time she really blossomed, not to mention after leaving her label (well, getting dropped for trying to make something she “approved of”) she got to write for her albums which helped greatly.

I loved her Wild Hope album. It had a great mix of pop-country infused tunes. I kind of thought she'd stick to that as the style suited her but her latest album is just as praise-worthy. It sounds more like her covers album: "Coverage". There were some songs on Amanda Leigh that didn't quite pique my interest at all but overall the majority is wonderful.

I love Everblue, Merrimack River, Fern Dell, Bug, Pocket Philosopher, I Could Break Your Heart Any Day Of The Week. Songs like Indian Summer, Nothing Everything, and Song About Home just didn’t seem like they fit and were kind of boring. Though, I suppose over time and listening more to those songs on the album I may start to like these songs but for now they’re not my cup of tea. Plus, Indian Summer and Nothing Everything were a bit similar to another, except Indian Summer was slower but that’s just my opinion.

I wish Ryan Adams had been on this record with her it would’ve added a little “oomph” instead of playing it safe. Also, I think a collaboration between the two would’ve been fantastic.

It’s most certainly not a CD that’s “mass manufactured pop”. Mandy Moore has really defined herself in this business. Amanda Leigh is an honest and truly genuine effort from Mrs. Moore and I think anyone who passes her up because of her “past musical ventures” is really missing out.

If you want a break from “If U Seek Amy” and “Just Dance” please do not walk but run and buy this CD. XD