Elanor McEvoy
Snapshots
Columbia Records

I didn't totally dislike this CD, but I wasn't anywhere near blown away, either. Too bad, because I've loved Eleanor McEvoy's stuff in the past. She used to be an Irish singer/songwriter. Now, I would categorize her with the same old pop crap you can hear on any radio. Her older works were more naked, instrumentally, and they actually said something. This collection, with one or two exceptions, is about guys. It's filled with trite songs mucked up with tacky drum tracks and way too much electronic crap. A woman with her voice and ability should be giving us thoughtful tunes, not cranking out top 40 fare.

A few of her songs on this collection are noteworthy. "She Had It All" is a song about alcoholism, and "Sophie" is about anorexia. I'm not saying songs have to be depressing to mean something to me, I'm just saying that these are the tracks that hint at McEvoy's potential. "Easy To Lose Hope" is dedicated to Veronica Guerin, an Irish investigative journalist who was killed by a gang of criminals. Oddly enough, these tracks are shoved to the back of the CD. Too bad, Eleanor. If, like me, you're looking for something with meaning, borrow this CD from a pop-loving friend and listen to the cool tracks. Otherwise, skip it.
-KR

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