Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 09/23/2003
Finishing School is the first solo project for singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist
Sasha Bell. She's been an integral member of
the Ladybug Transistor and
the Essex Green but this is her chance to be in charge. Not surprisingly (in part because her compatriots from those two fine groups help out here), the finished product,
Destination Girl, sounds quite a bit like those bands. The record blends
country influences (the lilting
"Reno," "Page 16");
baroque pop leanings (the driving
"Hair," the lovely mid-period
Kinks-influenced
"Rowan's Theme");
Byrds-ian
jangle pop (the title track);
British folk-rock (the very
Sandy Denny meets
the Everly Brothers ballad "Day Is Over"); and good old
indie pop balladry (the soft and dreamy
"Morning Light"), and ends up near the top of the
chamber pop class. All the songs are fully arranged, bursting with flutes, keyboards, strings, and percussion topped by
Bell's sweet, unadorned vocals. The best songs on
Destination Girl -- the melancholy and beautiful
"Destination Girl," "Day is Over," and the charming
"Silent Space" -- rank right up there with the best moments of
the Ladybug Transistor and
the Essex Green, which is high praise indeed, and, again, not at all surprising. So, despite one moment of less than wonderful songcraft (the overly long but still pretty good
"New Sensation"), this is a very strong debut. And just in case you get the idea that the record is derivative because of all the comparisons mentioned here, put your mind at ease;
Bell is very adept at synthesizing her influences and coming up with a sound all her own. This is highly recommended not only to fans of the Marlborough sound, but also to anyone who likes melodic and thoughtfully arranged
pop.
~Tim Sendra, All Music Guide
;)
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