In 2007, Mandy Moore came out with Wild Hope - a suprising album that changed her entire musical direction. She may have lost some fans who wanted the old bubble gum pop Mandy, but she definitely gained a new following with her folky, heartfelt tunes. Supposedly inspired heavily by her breakup with actor Zach Braff, The album was very relationship-centric, focusing on moving on, coming to terms with heartbreak, breaking out of your shell and feeling comfortable in your own skin. It was truly a growing pains album for Mandy. It seemed to come straight from her experience, and it brought forth so much emotion that my sister and I both cried at her concert during “Looking Forward” and “Gardenia.” Her vengeful tune, “Nothing That You Are” was the perfect song about being angry that someone you thought you knew turned out to be someone much different. A truly authentic, explorative storytelling album that had me listening on repeat for months.
I was thrilled to hear that Mandy was coming out with another album, Amanda Leigh. Just the name of the album screams “I’m mature now! Don’t call me Mandy anymore!” This album is that, yes, but it also seems much less soul-searching and less emotion-driven. None of the songs really jumped out to grab my heartstrings the way they did with Wild Hope. This album’s focus seems to be a mix of the old, poppy Mandy (“I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of The Week”), and a folky/melodic sounding album (“Merrimack River,” “Bug.”). “I Could Break Your Heart…” is absolutely catchy, and sounds like something from her older albums. It’s a true summer song and (unlike anything from Wild Hope), I’m sure it will get heavy radio play.
“Everblue”, thankfully, has a tone reminicent of “Gardenia,” but comes from a lighter place. When Mandy sang and performed “Gardenia,” you could see the pain in her face. I get chills just thinking about it.
Songs like “Pocket Philospher” show that Mandy (or should I call her Amanda Leigh now?) has truly grown into a happier place (now married to singer Ryan Adams) and has found more of a home in her life. So should we be happy for her? Of course. How can you not love her – she’s disgustingly likeable. Does this mean her music may not touch our battered hearts as much as it did on Wild Hope? Probably. For me, this album will be more background music than experiential. And hey, I guess that’s ok. Good for her.
June 14, 2009 at 8:24 pm |
I think you’re being a little too nice with your review. You forgot to mention she has one track dedicated to explaining the other tracks, although at the end of the track the only explanation I wanted was why the hell someone would do that.
Wild Hope or bust.
June 14, 2009 at 8:43 pm |
I knew you’d say that. I do think I was too nice also. Wild Hope is amazing, but it was also spawned from the d-bag ways of Zach Braff. If you think about it, d-bags only deserve one album. If that. I hope he cries himself to sleep.