REVIEW : My One And Only Thrill

Winter is the perfect time for lighting an open fire, dimming the lights, swilling your favourite glass of red and spending some quality snuggle time under the doona. But if these little late-night touches of decadence don’t quite create the total relaxation experience, US singer Melody Gardot is here to provide the perfect soundtrack accompaniment with her brand new album ‘My One And Only Thrill’.
The album is so stylish and assured that it’s difficult to believe that not five years ago, the singer was hit by a car while riding her bike, rendering her unable to walk without the aid of a cane and leaving her sensitive to both light and sound.
It was in rehabilitation following the accident that she discovered her love of music. Just five years on – and the singer is being lauded internationally for this incredible new body of work.
So taken were we by the album’s tender first single ‘Baby I’m A Fool’ that we were eager to track down a copy of the album on a recent trip to Asia. We’re desperately glad we did.
With ‘My One And Only Thrill’, Melody has created something truly special – an album that is oozing with Parisienne style, totally familiar and at the same time utterly original, with many critics already tipping the 24 year old for Grammy glory next year.
Melody’s voice emits a vulnerability and a quality that’s rarely heard. She seems acutely aware of the fact that one need not be a ‘belter’ in order to convey an emotion, instead vocally caressing the microphone with an incredible intimacy.
Apart from a South American inspired reworking of ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ towards the end of the set, the singer has written or co-written each of the little gems on this new long player and each track is etched with a smoky beauty all it’s own. It’s an album to fall in love with and to fall in love to.
All we can say is believe the hype – Melody Gardot’s new album ‘My One And Only Thrill’ is soulful, timeless and spectacularly beautiful.

 Australia's first stop for pop!