Music Review: Michelle Doyle

It's the 1930's. Smoke is swirling around you. You're sitting at a table eating dinner at a cabaret where sultry notes can be heard from a sexy singer on stage. In one word, you could say the atmosphere is mellow.

This is exactly the experience one gets when they play Michelle Doyle's album. It transports you to an era where you could just relax and enjoy the music for what it is. It's produced by her big brother Alan Doyle (of Great Big Sea) who also co-wrote some songs. Among the songs are some soft jazz, some pop ballads and a cover a Mary Chapin Carpenter song. She really has a great and powerful voice that puts you right in the mood. Sometimes, like in Darkest Stranger, she even reminds me of Pat Benatar.

All in all, it's a stellar debut album, and if her other albums are as good as this one is, I think we'll be in for quite a treat. The only thing that would have detracted me from buying this album would have been the fact that it's only available online and not in record stores, at least as far as the rest of Canada is concerned. I got this one as a Christmas gift.

Album: Michelle Doyle
Release Date: 2004
Bonus Material?: No
Site: http://www.michelledoyle.com/