Piece by Piece - Katie Melua Album Review

Piece by Piece - Katie Melua Album Review

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Album Review

Four penned by Melua herself (tracks 3, 6, 11, 12) four by ex-Womble Mike Batt (1, 2, 7, 9) one Batt - Melua collaboration (4) with the remainder by other writers. Piece By Piece is pretty much a predictable follow-up to her successful debut Call Off The Search. There’s very little evidence of things moving forward for the Georgian beauty. Mentor Mike Batt is overseeing matters once again, so the lazy formula continues, providing few opportunities for Melua to truly represent herself throughout the whole album.

Single Nine Million Bicycles (out September 19), is a floaty ballad by Batt, containing Irish overtones, and I’m not sure it’s the best choice as an album taster. Halfway Up The Hindu Kush might have been better choice, as it’s a much stronger track.

Blues In The Night is a half-hearted effort at the genre, with her lightweight vocals doing little to give it meaning, though there’s impressive Blues-harp by former Manfred Mann frontman Paul Jones.

Tracks 6 and 7 are wishy washy non-events, followed thankfully by a cover of Canned Heat’s On The Road Again, which is quite decent.

Thank You Stars (Batt) is the best of the lot, and ought to be her next single – this could actually be a massive hit. She sings this one straight from that beautiful heart.

Penultimate track I Cried For You is a real tear-jerker of a torch song, as she reaches deep to convey the aching emotion.

Radio 2 will have a field-day with the single and album, which will guarantee some kind of success.

There are however, some delightful moments of sheer beauty – particularly on Thank You Stars. There should have been a lot more moments like this to make it a great album.

Verdict – one for the girls.

Elly Roberts

Gigs

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