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10 May 2004
Marianne Pillsbury, The Wrong Marianne (Average White Girl)
The comparisons to Liz Phair and every other alternative femme rocker might fit, but it seems a bit too easy to pigeonhole the New York musician. When not fronting The Marianne Pillsburys, Pillsbury perfects a gorgeous sugar-coated power pop that is perfected on "Supersize". Just enough of an alternative blueprint working underneath, Pillsbury sounds as if she's aiming to get on the Empire Records soundtrack. But that isn't a bad thing, especially on punchy ditties like "Layaway Girlfriend" and the sullen yet infectious Sheryl Crow-like "Boo Hoo". Sex is a core component of some tracks, but it's more cute than shocking. When Pillsbury takes a u-turn, the hi-hat, quasi-dance buffet that is "Sweet & Sour World" and "Objects in the Mirror", both being far too slick and glossy to be much more than unmemorable ear candy. The smarmy "Swallow a Fly" brings No Doubt circa "Bath Water" to a certain extent. There are a few clunkers though, notably "Ex-Ex-Girlfriend" with its light and breezy Beach Boys feel that finally gets some bite halfway through for a moment. The great track of the near dozen has to be a groovy "Sweater" which sees Pillsbury getting out of her comfortable shell more. This also holds true for "4-Year Coma".
— Jason MacNeil
.: posted by Editor 7:39 AM
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