Review Summary: It is what it is - an excellent pop album
Kate Voegele plays Mia on the TV show One Tree Hill. While that show is a teen-oriented drama, the music on A Fine Mess is far from teen pop. People of any age should enjoy it. Kate's debut album, Don't Look Away was a little similar to Michelle Branch and Vanessa Carlton, but it had her own bluesy side, found on songs such as "Top of the World" and "Devil In Me." In addition to having her own bluesy side, her vocals, lower than Michelle Branch's but just as sweet, sold her songs well.
Now, let's have a look at the songs on A Fine Mess. A Fine Mess is a touch less edgy than her debut, with the exception of the more alternative rock sounding "99 times." On "99 times," Kate sounds like Alanis Morissette meets Bonnie Raitt. The opener "Inside Out" drives along on folky-synth and is very catchy. It reminds me of "I Did It" from Don't Look Away, which had a killer chorus. I think "Sweet Silver Lining" is her best ballad ever, with shades of Joni Mitchell's style on greats like "Morning Morgantown." The lyrics are about finding hope in the face of adversity, and they inspire:
"Most days
I try my best to put on a brave face
But inside
My bones are cold and my heart breaks
But all the while
Somethings keeping me safe
And alive "
Also very strong are "Playing With My Heart, a country-rock shuffle, and "Talkin' Smooth," which has a breezy guitar lick. They are also among the most unique songs on the CD. The lyrics also remain strong. Here is a witty line from "Talkin' Smooth":
"I don’t know why but is seems like a game to make a fool out of me
And I did not sign up to be your tongue and cheek"
On "Angel," you can hear the Fiona Apple-like bass that producer Mike Elizondo brings. It's not as weird as Fiona, but very melodic, and another nice addition to the album. "Manhattan From The Sky" is a piano ballad a little reminiscient of Vanessa Carlton's "A Thousand Miles." It's very memorable, and also a love song. The lyrics, comparing her feelings for her love to looking down at the skycrapers of Manhattan, provide for an interesting take on her feelings.
In summary, if you go in expecting a very good, not that complex pop album, Kate should satisfy. Pop isn't necessarily about being quirky. If you want someone like St. Vincent, who I also like, you should look elsewhere. If you like Kelly Clarkson, Vanessa Carlton, Michelle Branch, or Marie Digby, you should check A Fine Mess out. It's somewhat similar, but has Kate's own personality. And I don't think Kate is done with her artistic deveopment, as the extra songs on the deluxe addition show: one song, "Say Anything," rocks harder than anything on the main CD. "Unfair" and "Forever and Almost Always" strip beauty down to acoustic guitar on "Unfair" and piano on "Forever and Almost Always."
