KELLY BUCHANAN
Bastard Daughter
Velvet Ear Records 2005
www.kellybuchanan.com

Read the Kelly Buchanan interview

What’s the 4-1-1?
Singer/songwriter Kelly Buchanan releases her third album.

Genre
Rock / alternative

The Good
“Letter in Your Mailbox” is an acoustic based rocker where Kelly expresses her feeling for someone who doesn't’t feel the same way for her. She walks a fine line between apologetic former lover and psycho ex-girlfriend. “Piggy Back Ann is anchored by pounding drums, meaty riffs, and prolific vocals. The driving, frenzied conclusion only emphasizes Buchanan’s frustration. A funky muted riff leads the intense love affair that is “Volcanic Love”. Kelly lets loose and gives us a glimpse of her freaky side. How intense and freaky is she? I will be your bitch / you can slap me to the moon / as long as when the lights go down / you get me dripping like a monsoon.

“Cocaine” focuses on Kelly’s sultry and passionate vocals as she declares how her addictive personality will destroy whoever consumes her. “Body Bag” doesn't’t sugarcoat its subject matter of abuse and rape. Buchanan uses descriptive and painfully accurate terms and emotions that are just as brutal to hear as the acts themselves. “Asshole of the Year” is a ballad of sorts. I say of sorts because it’s not flattering toward whom it’s aimed at. The song builds with soft tomes and vocals, but builds into an electric and vocal assault as Kelly expresses her true feelings.

The Bad
Nothing

The Verdict
In a musical landscape littered with Britneys, Christinas, Ashlees, and Avrils, it’s nice to hear a real woman singing about adult feelings, problems, and issues.

Did You Know?
Kelly explored a jungle in Brazil alone, carrying only a pocket knife and a can of mace with her.

Rating: out of 5

--George Dionne