If nothing else, Charlotte Sometimes' new album is quite
an interesting work. And, no, Charlotte Sometimes is not the name of a band
but actually the name of the artist, though it is a stage name - and an enigmatic
one at that. Astute pop culture mavens will note that rock band The Cure
have a song under that title and there is also a book with that moniker written
by author Penelope Farmer. One would think her music and persona may be influenced
by one or the other or possibly both, though her music doesn't seem to contain
overt overtones from either, at least, on the surface.
Like the subject of
the book, Sometimes the musician has no problem relating fanciful tales
about a seemingly alternative world she inhabits. But then again, since Sometimes
was adopted (let's not forget the interesting persona she has invented
to
compensate for not knowing her true parents) the fact she was unsure of
her true identity may have something to do with her wanting to be "someone
else". One of the most interesting aspects of this CD is how she takes
Cypress Hill's "How I Could Kill A Man" and flips it to make it
her own personal statement. Though quite fanciful in spots, Sometimes pop
is grounded with engaging melodies that will make you want to sing along,
if not outright root for Sometimes throughout this disc. Taking into account
a concept this ambitious, this project as a whole would be a very interesting
and adventurous piece of work for anyone, not to mention an artist as young
as Sometimes.
Any music fan should be encouraged to check this out. Whether
you like it or not I think you will be impressed with what Sometimes
does here and I am looking forward to her next work to see what new wrinkle
she
comes up with. Those who like this album may want to try to search out
some of her homemade tapes and EPs made before she was signed to her record
deal.
If they are anything like this album, they would be well worth the listen.
CHARLOTTE
SOMETIMES
