Sound Advice: CD Reviews - Melanie Doane (Adam's Rib)

CD Review:
Melanie Doane's sophomore release after Shakespearean Fish. This album moves Melanie forward towards a reputation compared to her countrywoman Sarah McLachlan. The pluses of this album are numerous. Melanie's voice is extremely beautiful although she does not tax it much on this release. Another plus is her use of the violin. Where you would think an electric guitar would be appropriate, she replaces it with the violin on some of the tracks so that the sound of the song changes just a little bit. Melanie has writing talent which can be seen throughout the twelve track CD. Another plus is Melanie's version on violin of the Tarbolton reel named "Mel's Rock Pile".

One glaring drawback to this CD is that Melanie is at her best on the slower softer musical tracks, and she has many on this CD, but, she moves into the pop area of music that is so prevalent and boring these days to be at all interesting.

Song highlights include "Adam's Rib" a song about the creation of Eve. "Happy Homemaker" which is a song about a woman questioning why she is trying so hard to move up in the outside world when she might be happier staying at home. "I Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" which gives the listener a more developed sound range of her voice. And "Good Gifts" which is a song thanking her deceased mother for her life.

I would have rated the album higher if Melanie reduced the pop feel of some of her songs, taxed the range of her voice more (she has a voice that can do it) and showed more of her talent as a musician. She is an expert player on the violin, mandolin, piano, bass and guitar. Hopefully she comes to realize her vocal and musical talent more in her future releases; her lyrical writing is already there.

Full Spectrum Staff