ALBUM REVIEW

NATALIE MERCHANT

“Tigerlily”

Elektra

* * *

On her last albums with 10,000 Maniacs, Merchant developed a singing style so phlegmatic that it made the Cowboy Junkies’ notoriously impassive Margo Timmins sound as if she had just won the lottery. Now, out on her own with a new band, the onetime darling of the alternative world sounds rejuvenated, tackling a range of emotions from sorrow to bemusement.

“Tigerlily” presents Merchant as considerably more mature and womanly than the Maniacs gave her room to be. Even the sound of the band is grown-up. Jennifer Turner’s guitar is particularly self-assured, speaking bold lines that on occasion challenge Merchant’s gentle singing for attention.

There are bits and pieces of “Tigerlily” that no one would miss if they were gone--like a rather obvious homage to River Phoenix and the occasional self-absorption of the lyrics. But overall, the album marks positive progress for a talent that is still in bloom.

Albums are rated one star (poor) to four (excellent)