REVIEW: Bree Sharp, A Cheap and Evil Girl (Trauma)
- Linda Scott
Bree Sharp has a whole album full of songs here, but the song people are talking about is "David Duchovny." A huge fan of the X-Files star, Sharp wrote about what it's like to be fascinated with a celebrity and to want to meet them, know them, be them. "David Duchovny" is one of those funny songs with a bouncy melody and lyrics that play over and over in your head. The single is receiving some big radio air play now, and the question is "David Duchovny/Why Don't You Love Me?"
Pop songs like "David Duchovny" can be the beginning and sometimes also the end of careers. Labels and the public expect clever, funny songs the next time out. Sharp is a pop/folk/soft rock artist; and if she can just get us to listen to the other nine songs on A Cheap And Evil Girl and get some airplay for these, she may be on to something. Bree Sharp writes story-telling songs, and the good ones here can pull you in, make you think, and make it worthwhile buying the album -- not just the Duchovny single.
"Faster Faster" is a good one about a beautiful but evil motorcycle queen. Another is the title track, "Cheap and Evil Girl," which is a dark one, too. It paints a mind picture like the garish drugstore paperbacks have. On some songs Sharp comes on like Alanis Morisette, but she doesn't yet have Alanis' intensity and power. Love songs suffer most from this, although Sharp works hard with her acoustic guitar to create the right mood. Just frankness and experience seem to be missing on this debut album. Her voice is strong and clear and easy to listen to. Production worked hard not to bury her under the electric guitars that come in from time to time. Even songs like "Smitten," that have a full electric band, still allow the smooth vocals and interesting lyrics to be clearly heard.
With imagination and inspiration to spare, Bree Sharp could be around for a long time. Her vocals are very good, as are the lyrics, and with a firm control on production, she will be able to produce albums that move to the light rock and pop groups. "David Duchovny" will either be the attraction that draws interest to the album, or it may be a single that is too strong. But as a newcomer, Bree Sharp is happy to have her first big single. Extensive touring is planned that should have audiences talking a lot about the rest of A Cheap And Evil Girl.
