Jive
2006
Dirtie Blonde
About This Album
In an age when every style from hip-hop to goth metal has been strained through the pop filter, it seems like any given artist could be successfully watered down to make a TRL-friendly version. Dirtie Blonde's self-titled debut, however, proves this conclusion wrong. When most gritty genres are diluted for mass consumption they end up sort of like a Playboy model strategically smeared with dirt, but when the bluesy voice of singer/songwriter Amie Miriello is worked over with writing/production collaborators Robin Lynch and Niklas Olovson -- known for their work with Pink -- the effect is more like a cowgirl awkwardly shoved into a prom dress with her boots still on. Still, the album is by no means an all-out failure; a number of tracks have insanely catchy and danceable hooks, like "Walk Over Me," "Shut Up," and "Outta My Bed." These are songs on which Miriello's well-developed voice shines through, showcasing her raspy machine-gun vibrato (more reminiscent of Feist than of Gwen Stefani) and soulful authenticity. Her highest point in this regard is on the wry ballad "My Pride," a sweet and tragic torch song that receives remarkably detailed instrumentation from its teen pop producers, who accent the track with subtle touches of Rhodes.
Track List (try tracks 1,2,9 and 10)

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