By Al Kaufman
Carley Tanchon is one of those young women who is as fat in voice as she is lithe in body. There are plenty of pictures on the accompanying booklet of her exposing her long, limber arms. Just as there are plenty of moments on this album that allow her to show her vocal range.
If this were the late '90s Tanchon would be a shoe in for Lilith Fair. She sprinkles her songs with touches of country and soul. Her voice emotes all the passion of a desperate housewife off of her medication. It's the same sound and emotion that Paula Cole displayed on her first two records.
Tanchon's vocal prowess cannot be denied. Her slow burning crescendo on the jazzy "Waiting" rivals Bono's vocal gymnastics. Unfortunately, her songwriting ability is not on the same level. What makes these songs ultimately forgettable is the lack of any type of melody that jumps out of the speakers. The mid-tempo and slow ballads on the second half of the CD, which prevent Tanchon from stretching out vocally, bring the CD to a grinding halt.
At 22 years old, Tanchon demonstrates a lot of promise. Once her writing catches up with her singing, she will be a force to be reckoned with.
Carley Tachon plays Eddie's Attic as part of the Open Mic Competition on Monday, June 15, 7 p.m.
