Melanie (1987)

In the early eighties, Melanie's albums were mostly country-rock oriented. In 1987, she made a self-titled album which in a way is another debut, because Melanie presented herself as a Pat Benatar-like mainstream hard rock artist. Gues what? She turned out to be pretty good at it.

"Melanie" is an album that should have done well on US radio, but somehow I don't suppose it did:-( The vinyl release DJ has seems to be a Netherlands-only, or at least a Europe-only release, and a rarity at that.

Musically, the album consists of gutsier versions of old songs like Cyclone and Roadburn, plus some new stuff. The version of Cyclone is especially good, with powerful guitar and drum work. Melanie's 40-year-old voice fits in with the new arrangements quite well. If you think of Melanie as strictly a folky singer/songwriter, stear clear of this one; but if you like to hear her voice and her songs in a different context, or simply like music that rocks a bit more, check it out. If you can find it, that is.

Reinder Dijkhuis