Michelle Anthony: frozenstarpalace

Michelle Anthony isn’t your typical singer-songwriter, although she does have enough chops to earn that moniker, with songs like the bouncy, happy-go-lucky “Lead Glass Tiffany Shades” that sounds like a cross between Carole King and Bonnie Raitt to some extent. Meanwhile, the moody and mid-tempo adult contemporary pop of the title track is sure to bring to mind artists like Aimee Mann and Natalie Merchant. It’s the fact that she can’t be penned down that results in a very fine release, especially with the rowdier, roots rock of “Ugly Side”, which is quite pretty. Anthony shows another side with the smart, poppy “Aluminum” that relies more on her voice than it does the airtight, infectious, and winding melody. Then there is the tender, bittersweet piano ballad “White Lies” that she nails perfectly. And the same can be said for the delightfully low-key “Hard Way to Lose”. It’s a hard release not to enjoy.