Music review: Natalie Merchant – 鈥楴atalie Merchant鈥�
With the new release of her self-titled album, Natalie Merchant returns with her first set of original songs in 13 years.
The elegantly crafted arrangements tenderly convey messages of love, loss, hurt, reflection, redemption and triumph. The singer-songwriter鈥檚 sixth solo release features an 11-song collection of lush arrangements caressed by soothing strings, bass, piano, organ and woodwinds. I鈥檝e always considered Merchant the female version of James Taylor. Both singers possess a voice that delivers folk-pop messages with the comfort and compassion of an old friend.
As the poetic frontwoman of 10,000 Maniacs, Merchant鈥檚 distinctive voice shined on songs like 鈥淏ecause the Night,鈥� 鈥淗ey Jack Kerouac鈥� and 鈥淟ike the Weather.鈥� Merchant would later leave the band to pursue a solo career, releasing 鈥淭igerlily鈥� in 1995.
On the new material, the sincerity and beauty of Merchant鈥檚 voice is further enhanced through stunning guest vocal performances by Simi Stone, Elizabeth Mitchell and Corliss Stafford. 鈥淟adybird鈥� is a sweet and gentle opener that details the hurt and disappointment of a failing relationship. Power, greed and entitlement are explored on 鈥淭exas,鈥� while 鈥淕iving Up Everything鈥� is a moving piece that features sweeping orchestration and desperately honest lyrics.
The highlight of the album comes on the soulful 鈥淕o Down Moses.鈥� Stafford brings a gospel flavoring to the passionate number about New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina. The 50-year-old singer sounds as vibrant today as she did back when I was first captivated by her singing on hits like 鈥淭hese Are Days鈥� and 鈥淐andy Everybody Wants鈥� from 1992鈥檚 鈥淥ur Time in Eden.鈥� Merchant self-produced the new album and penned all the arrangements.
The New York native鈥檚 consistently steady career continues to gracefully mature with her honest and poignant observations about the ever-changing world around us.
Merchant will make a Pittsburgh appearance at the Carnegie Library Music Hall on July 22.