Katie Melua
Piece By Piece

THE REVIEW

Female singer-songwriters have enriched the contemporary music scene, thanks to their refined creative genius. Passionate and persevering, they have always managed to carve out a privileged role in the mainstream Olympus. In the '70s, there was the intimate and elegant songwriting of Laura Nyro and Joni Mitchell. In the '80s, the uncompromising and fiery style of Patti Smith and Lydia Lunch, and in the '90s, the enigmatic and eloquent approach of Tori Amos and Fiona Apple. And in the coming decades? Who will inherit this precious tradition? In the indie undergrowth, there are interesting rockeuses, but unfortunately, they fail to achieve the visibility of their predecessors. The fault lies with the majors, who now offer us soapy young nymphs pretending to be intellectual chic, exorcising the archetype of the TeenIdol, all glitter and plastic songs. The strategy remains the same: a fawning and reassuring musical cocktail associated with a childish and shrill voice. The album is promoted by invoking the sacred hérédité of Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday… and finally, the CD is distributed in the Jazz corner because it’s considered “Quality Pop”. Could this be the case for Katie Melua? Who, at the tender age of 22, is already the undisputed queen of the British charts?

The formula matches: a watered-down Jazz/Blues, skillfully crafted by the pygmalion of the moment (Mike Batt, an old fox of the English music business). “Piece by Piece” follows the 2003 triumphant debut of “Call off the Search”. The listening reveals saccharine melodies, blurry arrangements, and an immature vocal imprint. Even the title is overused (there’s already “Pieces Of You” by Jewel, “Pieces” by Jenni Alpert, “Piece Of Mind” by Sarah Brindell…). The lead track, “Nine Million Bicycles”, is a pleasant ballad caressed by oriental flutes and a catchy melody. “Shy Boy” is the grittiest piece: rhythmic bass and drums, with sounds echoing Shivaree's first album. The title track, “Piece By Piece”, is decidedly darker: a sparse guitar arpeggio and a barely perceptible string pad. It seems suspended between a gospel and a jazz standard. There are also Blues references: “On The Road Again” by Canned Heat and a watered-down version of “Blues In The Night”. But there's also a bold “Just Like Heaven” by The Cure, a daring attempt, but noteworthy.

“Piece by Piece” is a fresh project, beautifully packaged and alluring, but not so exceptional as to cause a miracle… or even the new Eva Cassidy. Media illusion: Katie Melua is still a budding singer-songwriter, hesitant and not very convincing, but I'm sure that with time she will surprise us with pleasant surprises and more substantial musical content.