CD album reviews

CD album reviews

Madeline Milla
By
Madeline Milla

Madeline Milla

Madeline Milla by Madeline Milla

An impressive debut from the young singer songwriter/pianist from tracks like ‘Smile’ with it’s chocolate rumble of double bass underneath Milla’s piano and vocals to ‘Danielle’ with it’s esquisite trampolining vocals.

Strong imaginative song writing is fused with expressive, polished performances making the connection between voice and piano as natural as breathing. The songs certainly deserve more instrumentation but as a first album the recording costs were perhaps an issue.

Milla’s voice is double tracked in places pushing production for a fuller effect and as with a lot of contemporary writing the meaning of the songs is often a mystery to be unravelled after a few listens but with this CD which seems mostly about love and relationships it doesn’t matter, I was swept along on a river of sound, positive lyrics leaping out like darts which sustain and exhilarate.

Madeline Milla has a serious talent, which I would not be surprised to see surface on shows like Later with Jools and Radio 3’s mixing it. Watch this space.

Written by: Mrs Daniels
On the 20-Jun-2001

Til The Sun Comes Up
By
Madeline Milla

This is the second and altogether darker offering from Madeline Milla, although beautiful enough. Powerfully introspective and with clean close production it makes for good late night listening.

Milla is a rising star and this album serves as an inticing insight into the world of a composer/lyricist with considerable skill, plus that of a developing artist. Always exploring, she is unafraid of the raw whilst able to weave the most melodic of designs to fit her message.

Drawn parallels between Milla and Tori Amos are unavoidable but the world is big enough for the two of them and any T. Amos fans should definitely get to know Madeline. The songs ‘horizon’ and ‘cold November’ were highlights for me. Teasing piano parts intertwined with acrobatic vocal melodies and provocative lyrics, all creating the impression of a persuasive live performer. I shall look forward to it.

Written by: Luke Daniels
On the 20-Jun-2001

Working Girl (Beautiful Enough Records BERCD002)
By
Madeline Milla

I suppose you could count all the staff at camp (and no, I don’t mean camp in that way!) folking.com firm fans of Madeline Milla and I’ve just added myself to the list. On the strength of this second album she should be a serious contender for an appearance on Jools Holland’s Later. Categorising (an easy way of saying if you like that, you’ll like this) Madeline settles comfortably into the shoes of Tori Amos and even Kate Bush and Suzanne Vega spring to mind. Her smokey, almost lazy late night vocal with keyboard accompaniment joined by Simon Shaw’s guitars, Russell Field (drums), Lynda Murray’s throaty saxophone and Erica Wilson’s double bass are never overused adding just enough to an already rich tapestry of melodies. Indeed the musical content is so good; it could stand on its own as a work of art. On the title track, she moves seamlessly into Beverley Craven mode with a straightforward lyric that speaks volumes for her profession as a mis-read musician – in fact, it should be an anthem for all of us trying to make it in this business. Why some major record company hasn’t discovered Madeline will remain a mystery to me and I’m sure it will to her as well – she deserves better – maybe she’ll get it. Only time will tell. This is a lady who deserves all the accolades a fickle music scene can throw at her so I hope Mr Holland reads this review.

Written by: Pete Fyfe
On the 19-Oct-2001