Vanessa Carlton's debut album, "Be Not Nobody," aside from being a grammatical atrocity, was mediocre despite its immense commercial success. From there, a sophomore slump would be about as ugly as pop music could get.
That's not to say that it wouldn't sell millions.
That said, Carlton's follow-up, "Harmonium," is actually very good. Sure, the single, "White Houses," has lyrical content that is a little bit too ready for "The O.C," but Carlton's songwriting itself seems to have matured a great deal, though likely with help from certain interested observers.
Carlton's boyfriend produced the album, which would normally be a horrible idea if, say, her famous boyfriend were Stephen Baldwin. Her boyfriend, however, is Stephan Jenkins of Third Eye Blind, a man with one ear for the golden choruses and another for good delivery. Of course, it probably doesn't hurt that Carlton has many thanks for two members of Fleetwood Mac and Carole King. Those three may have a thing or 75 to say about female-fronted music.
"Harmonium's" second track, "Who's To Say," is dead set for radio overplay, but beyond that is a beautiful use of a great voice. More sugary than a 3 Musketeers bar, but good, nonetheless. There are a few of these numbers on "Harmonium;" catchy as all get out, but easy to foresee as eventually grating.
"San Francisco" exhibits the problems that arise on "Harmonium." Musically and vocally, it is one of the more impressive works on the album, with more than a dash of Jenkins' inspired vocal patterns to be sure. Unfortunately, as is common with current pop prodigies, lyrically it tries a little too hard.
While artists like Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows and Paul Simon can get away with John Steinbeck references, Carlton falls a little short. She almost pulls it off, too, singing, "I always liked Steinbeck and those old men whistling."
Good work, Vanessa. Now, don't ruin it.
Her next verse starts with, "Talking in the mission over coffee. This is my eutopia (sic)." Not trying to say that she isn't a fanatic regarding Francis Turner Palgrave's poetry, but pretty sure you misspelled utopia, Vanessa. She lapses into trying too hard in a span of 20 seconds.
You blew it.
Though there certainly are a few lackluster songs on "Harmonium," "Private Radio" in particular, Carlton has to receive credit for her flapper garb on the foldout album art. Her piano composition on "Papa," and subtle little changes like ending the short "C'est La Vie" abruptly with an unaccompanied, "Boy, you swallow truth like honey," are also indicative of her growth as a musician.
Whether aided by superstars or not, "Harmonium" is one of the better pop records to come out this year, and Carlton's voice, whether an acquired taste or not, is well worth the price of admission, so to speak.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
