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Viki Nova:
Catch Me If You Can
After listening to Viki Novas debut release, Catch Me If You Can, I am totally perplexed. How could somebody as seemingly ambitious as Nova produce a work so void of that intangible quality that makes great music? Dont get me wrong; Im not saying that Nova lacks all talent. Quite the contrary. Nova seems to embody, to an extent, the Ani DiFranco-style DIY ethos of the 1990s that brought success to many woman singer-songwriters. In addition to writing all of her own material and managing her own career, she also runs her own record label: Think For Yourself Records. On first listen, Novas vocals stand out sharply, and comparisons to Gwen Stefanis sugary crooning hold true. And just like some of Stefanis most commercialized moments, Nova knows how to pour her heart out about love and confusion from a feminine perspective. This singer-songwriter, although capable of tackling issues of loss, independence, and searching the realm of le grand amour, seems generally to regard love in a youthful manner. Her perspective, at times juvenile (Im Yours [Catch Me If You Can]), can also provide a sense of satisfaction for the more hardened listener. And Ill certainly be the first to openly admit that Addicted is my preferred guilty pleasure of the LP. Unfortunately, the same cannot always be said for the music providing the backdrop to all of these confessions. Songs like Die Another Day and Too Much open with guitar riffs that would make anybody cringe with embarrassment. They seem to be modern pseudo-fold and faux blues clichs that dominate much of corporate radio today. Novas predictable chord changes may bring familiarity, but no challenge for the listener. Although simplicity and familiarity can often be virtuous, in this case, its more like the memory of a bad junior high haircut that youd rather forget. Sadly, if youre not a huge fan of the Sheryl Crow-esque genre, Novas first release may not be worth your time. However, if the female singer-songwriter repertoire is your cup of tea, be Viki Novas guest.
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