release date: Jun. 20, 1995
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,42]
producer: Natalie Merchant
label: Elektra Records - nationality: USA
Track highlights: 1. "San Andreas Fault" - 2. "Wonder" - 3. "Beloved Wife" - 4. "River" - 5. "Carnival" - 7. "The Letter"
Studio solo debut by Natalie Merchant is written, performed and produced by Merchant herself. The change from the music by 10,000 Maniacs is hard to find on this, but apparently it wasn't about musical arguments she felt obliged to go solo.
I always found this particular album a bit challenging. Merchant's voice always adds that extra quality to any song, but the strong songs are just missing on this first attempt on her own, or: you may need to adjust expectations hoping for jangly pop tunes of Our Time in Eden (1992) to bolder singer / songwriter material. The track "River", a tribute to actor River Phoenix, is one of just a few great compositions on a strong and personal album that reveals her potential but also stays much in the shade.
[ allmusic.com, Q Magazine 4,5 / 5, Rolling Stone 1,5 / 5 stars ]
