I've taken a lot of flack for the fact that women comprise of about 90% of my musical preferences. Especially because you have your hipsters and classic rock loyalists worshiping music made by men or in the rarest cases, made by women, but that sound like they're made by men. There's always been a silent condemnation of the feminine mystique in pop and rock music. Not that I can even start to try to rectify this problem, but perhaps I can do my part. Here are four albums I think would be worth the time of any music fan (regardless of genre affiliation.) Just listen with an open mind and I promise, you will like like like.
- EMMA BUNTON - FREE ME. Oh no no no. I kid you not. Released in the UK back in 2003 and finally released in the US in January of 2005, this is one hell of a disc that has comfortably helped this ex-Spice Girl carve a niche beyond the glory days of the big band she once used to belong to. The album is stuffed full of songs that would make Burt Bacharach jump for joy and this is probably the first time in recent memory that a pop singer has (gasp!) used actual, tangible instruments. I mean, we are talking a melange of flutes and piccolos and harps and violins and pianos and drums. Yes, the lyrics are throaway pop fodder, but that's just it. Finally someone out there has answered the plea for more unapologetically kitschy, campy pop. In an industry where women are trained to be oversexed bombshells, this former Spice Girl has buckled on the spiked heels and tipped the image on its nose. She fuses the oversexed bombshell image with intentionally cheesed up songs reminiscent of the 1960s — think Bond babe meets bossa nova bad-ass — and delivers a twelve-tracked gourmet feast that should excite pop aficionados everywhere. And hey, even if you're looking for something to fill the space on your shelves between your Wilco cds, you might enjoy this offering from the feisty Emma.
Article comments
1 - Tom Johnson
I refuse to take any "best of 2005's women in music" lists seriously if they don't include Aimee Mann's latest, The Forgotten Arm, and Martha Wainwright's self-titled debut album. And what's more, these two blow away every album you listed above (especially Tori Amos - that is truly the biggest pile o' turd released so far this year, without doubt. I can't imagine what could top it.)
2 - Shark
Shark's Suggestions:
Juana Molina
Eisley
Julie Miller
3 - rohin
actually tom, i did mention aimee -- i didnt review that new album because i didn't have it (well until last night and while i am LOVING it on firs tlisten, i still need to give it a good month so i can make more out of it. but this is a solid followup to lost in space)
martha wainwright was also an oversight, but i haven't heard anything but a couple songs from her -- BMFA and lolita, both subtle stunners in their own right.
4 - rohin
shark --
i've listened to eisley and i'm still not sure about them. this is two years after i've seen them live. their voices are just a little too whiny for me. i do have to check out the other two...
5 - Shark
I think I like Eisley because the vocals remind me of Jane Siberry.
also:
re: my suggestions -
Julie Miller's BLUE PONY is a great place to start with her.
Juana Molina is a bit eclectic -- not for everybody; but quite an original artist and style.
And surely you're familiar with Kim Richey and Casey Chambers?
I didn't mention them because they don't have an album out in 05, but for anyone interested in the estrogen-fueled side of musical creativity, they're a MUST.
Best,
a fan of wimminz musik
6 - Temple Stark
Blogcritics' editors liked this one. It's a pick of the week. Congrats. Put the news up proudly on your site.
Here's a link to the rest of this week's picks.
7 - rohin
thank ya muchly, temple. :)
i will let my faithful following of 3 on my blog know about my road to fame.