Categories : Country + Western, Folk + Roots, Music Reviews, Rock + Pop.
 |
Rating: 3.5 / 5 Reviewer: Trent Depue |
On her 2009 release Victoria Day, Melissa McClelland was faced with what could be seen as either an absolutely fantastic or incredibly difficult situation depending on how you choose to look at it: following up a near perfect record. Thumbelina’s One Night Stand ended up a heavy favorite in 2006, cementing her position as an elite singer-songwriter. Now on Victoria Day, which is produced by husband and another of Canada’s most praiseworthy musicians, Luke Doucet, McClelland puts forth another strong effort, but one that is unable to live up to its predecessor.
Victoria Day provides something of a more eclectic musical selection then her previous effort, but this shouldn’t be looked upon as a lack of focus. From quiet piano ballads to country, from spaghetti western to big band, and throwing in classic rock riffs McClelland touches on it all, tying it together into a retro theme that reminds of a bygone era. ‘Glenrio’ is Victoria Day’s ‘Passenger 24’ (one of Thumbelina’s best songs), ‘Victoria Day (May Flowers)’ is one of the more fun moments, and ‘Cry on My Shoulder’ is among the strongest of her vocal performances. And for an added treat on ‘Seasoned Lovers,’ Ron Sexsmith adds his charming voice to hers.
Victoria Day can be a bit of a tough record to judge. Trying to Draw comparisons to Thumbelina’s One Night Stand would be unfair, but Melissa McClelland comes back from that success with a strong enough effort to avoid losing any of her well deserved acclaim.
