With a sliver of Janis Joplin, and touches of Joni Mitchell and Rickie Lee Jones, Shea Seger provides a refreshing desire to think beyond the formulaic pop realm and avoid becoming a poster child pin up. Her lyrics seem heartfelt and genuine, while it's clear that variety in musical pace and style are also very important to her pedigree. It's eclecticism at its finest, from bluesy ballads to throaty rockers to folk inspired slow jams. The opening cut "Last Time" is a highly infectious soulful jam, with a subject line of walking away from a relationship. It's fun to listen to, aside from the fact that Seger's spiritual reference to bread and wine seems out of place when speaking of kicking her lover out of bed.
I'll break some bread and I'll pour some wine
The conversation will be all mine
But if I wake up with you it will be the last time
If I still adore you, it will be the last time
And if I stumble to you, it will be the last time.
"Walk on Rainbows" is one of those get back on your feet songs, while "Wasting the Rain" shows the downfalls of society while encouraging people to stop wasting their time succumbing to the media attention placed on such ill fated publicity. Musically, "Blind Situation" is one of the more diverse tracks, featuring a hip-hop flavor similar to ex-Fugees singer Lauryn Hill, (although Seger's vocal influence seems like it's from Sheryl Crow). "Always" is another standout, thanks in part to the shared vocal duties with the British-bred Ron Sexsmith.
The mainstream success of this project is in the hands of RCA, who can either support its energy and variety, or leave it to sit on store shelves due to its lack of radio accessibility. Guessing from Seger's approach to the disc, she doesn't care too much about sales but rests in the fact that she did what she set out to do--make an honest record that goes against the grain of the industry, one that showcases her entire heart and soul.
4 tocks
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