IN 2000, Michelle Branch brought to the airhead teen pop scene what was needed most: real talent. She rose to the challenge with her debut The Spirit Room, writing and singing her all-original songs, and playing the acoustic guitar (yes, really). And she was good.
Teen music-lovers around the world must have heaved a collective sigh of relief. Grammy award-winning Branch was like the light at the end of a dim, vacuous pop tunnel (think Christina/Britney).
But that's all in the past. Today, the Arizona native is an old hack - in music terms anyway - and all eyes are on how she's progressing professionally.
Hotel Paper seems like a strange title for her latest release, but then Branch is on the road a lot. And that's what the words seem to resonate. 'I've been all over the world...' and 'I write mostly on hotel paper' she croons.
Are You Happy Now is a big bold, brash drums/keyboards/guitar/voice/bass 'big American sound' (did I say big?), while Empty Handed sweeps you along an idyllic feel-good road, but the Love Me Like That Sheryl Crow duet disappoints.
Hotel Paper's got a little bit of this, and a little bit of that. Songs not just to drive along a country road to, but ones to relate to. Buy it. You'll be charmed.
