(Interscope)
Being late with your reviews for a change has one advantage: there is no need to make speculations about the possible success of the album. So in the case of Linda Perry's first solo effort, all that remains to be given is an answer to questions like: Why did it flop? Did it deserve it?
Even after repeated listening, you can't really say that she did anything terribly wrong. Unfortunately she didn't do anything terribly right either. Only rarely does she deliver the punch that made the smash success of the only 4 Non Blondes album. Instead of that, she sails on calmer waters, more in a singer/songwriter style. But while the songs are all nice and pleasant, they just don't have the quality to grab you. Combined with weak lyrics, this causes the album to remain superficial.
What Linda Perry needs for her next album is the assistance of a gifted songwriter, help with her lyrics. and a producer that gives her an occasional kick. Even if numerous worse albums sold many more copies than Ms. Perry's last year, this exceptional voice deserves better material.
