The House
As a follow-up to Katie's second release, Pictures, The House stand out as an artistic marvel for the ears. Katie's voice takes on Leigh Nash of Sixpence None The Richer fame, former Cardigans lead singer, Nina Persson, and Geike Arnaert of Belgium's Hooverphonic fame. The music is not folk, rock or pop, but a combination of each style. Lyrically, the songs are fun and funny, as in "Tiny Alien" and "God On Drums, Devil On The Bass". There is a hint of nostalgia in Katie's vocal style and some of the instrumentation follows in that vein, as in "A Moment Of Madness". The poetically-inclined art-pop song, "Red Balloons", is something Shawn Colvin might have composed, especially since her last album was titled after a house (These Four Walls, Nonesuch). However, all the songs are written or co-written by Katie and represent a style all her own. All the songs are playful, catchy, intelligent, and coherent from a lyrical, vocal, and instrumental point of view. If you like good music, then you are cordially invited into 'The House' by Katie Melua. Vocals and liner notes in English. ~ Matthew Forss
