SIERRA SWAN
Ladyland
Interscope Records 2006
www.sierraswan.com

What’s the 4-1-1?
Up-and-comer Sierra Swan releases her debut album with the help of uber-producer Linda Perry.

Genre
Pop-rock / R & B / singer-songwriter

The Good
I know what you’re thinking; what’s a pop album doing at Rock Is Life? Bear with me; I’ll answer that soon enough. Swan kicks off her album with the piano driven track “Copper Red.” You can hear the emotional pain as she delivers her soulful vocals. “Don’t Say” has a nice bounce to it that’s set by the percussion. Despite the sorrowful verses, the chorus actually has an uplifting rhythm to it. The song sounds a lot like an old Beatles tune. The intro to “The Ladder” contains no drums and no effects, just voice over piano. Sierra puts here heart on the line as the ballad builds with passion.

You almost need a master’s degree to figure out what Swan is talking about on the album’s title track “Ladyland.” Sierra proclaims, I’m in lovely ladyland / ‘cause the truth is I’m a man. More sultry and enduring vocals come courtesy of “Trouble is.” “Just Tell Me” is Swan’s simple request to be wanted and loved. A sentiment that I’m sure most people would echo. Sierra fondly recalls her mother on the appropriately titled ballad “Mother.”

The Bad
Nothing notable

The Verdict
Sierra Swan packs her debut album full of soulful and sultry vocals that express her deepest and most cherished thoughts and emotions. Fiona Apple comes to mind when trying to describe her sound, but Swan is more relatable and less cryptic. To call Sierra a rock act is really stretching it, but really good music knows no boundaries.

Did You Know?
Producer Linda Perry fronted the group 4 Non-Blondes.

Rating: out of 5

--George Dionne