Melanie Fiona - The Bridge
Melanie Fiona chose the perfect title for her debut album. The Bridge is exactly what she builds to crossover seamlessly between pop and soul, new and old school.
Often lumped in with the retro-soul revivers of Britain, Amy Winehouse and Duffy, Toronto-born Fiona separates her self by trumpeting her love story without any gimmicks (no ratty beehives, thanks!) and with a genuine passion that runs through her raspy, sultry voice.
The closest you’ll come to a gimmick is “Give It To Me Right,” the first single from the set. Sampling The Zombies‘ “Time of the Season,” the unforgettable drum pattern and piano twinkles add the same pop flare it did for the band in the 60s, but the sensual theme of “please me or get lost” transforms the song into a very today anthem for women taking charge of their sexual relationships.
That same strength is echoed on tracks like “Monday Morning” (“Baby, I still need ya/but if I stay, I’ll leave ya/Cus I gotta get away”), “Walk On By” (“Fool me once, but you won’t fool me twice/Don’t say sh–, just walk on by”), and the fist-pumping, chase-your-dreams track “Ay Yo.”
The Bridge is not without its vulnerable moments. The sweetly crooned “You Stop My Heart” is one of the sappiest, yet best songs on the set, with its throwback girl-group “bum bum, bum bum” chorus. And the heart-wrenching “It Kills Me” proves while Melanie exudes strength, she’s no stranger to faltering to the allures of not-so-good-for-you love.
Listening to the album makes you forget it’s only a debut. Fiona and writing partner Andrea Martin made an album so close to perfect, it will surely help Fiona cross the bridge between an artist here for today and an artist here to make history.
WOW!!! Great review..its gotta be one of the best! Melanie Fiona’s album is on repeat in the car. Great great album!