Liv Kristine Album: “Skintight”

First, let me say that I am a huge fan of Leaves' Eyes - the symphonic metal band Liv fronts with her husband and other band mates. This is the first solo album I've purchased of Liv's. I knew going in that her solo albums are more pop than metal. The sticker on the album said "For fans of Tori Amos and Coldplay". I don't own any Coldplay albums, but I am a big Tori fan. However, listening to "Skintight" I didn't really hear many piano overtones. "The Rarest Flower" was the only track that really reminded my of Tori's music (the Little Earthquakes days). Maybe "Twofold" as well (more like the American Doll Posse era), but as for the rest of the album? Not so much.

A lot of the songs sounded the same. Personally, I felt the mood of "Skintight" resembled more of a New Age/Pop sound rather then that of Tori Amos' piano or Coldplay's synths and dynamics. Perhaps it's better to blame the marketing for putting those ideas in my head before I even listened to the songs?

Granted, I admit I may have been in the wrong frame of mind to judge this album, despite the fact I knew what I was getting into. All I could think of while I was listening to the songs was that they would sound a lot better with heavy guitar rifts backed by a soaring orchestra. Part of me also thought Liv's voice is too beautiful to be wasted on pop. Does that make any sense?

Don't get me wrong, "Skintight" is good pop, but it's not exactly what I expected. I still love Liv, and her voice is as amazing as ever here, but the music would have benefited greatly from more diversity.

I have always enjoyed Liv's participation in Leaves Eyes, but without

the power house band to back her vocals, she is just another good singer.

Apparently it's always a gamble in today's music business(!)to cross genres. And apparently you have to suffer for it. So when the singer of a folk-metal band turns to more personal and emotional rockpop it might get some time for people to follow the new direction.

With Liv it shouldn't be so difficult though, as this brilliant album fulfills all the promises made by her previous release "Enter My Religion". Well-crafted songs written in collaboration with guitarist Torsten Bauer set to her emotive lyrics clearly based on life experiences and deeper reflections. Sung in a way where you clearly can hear that this is music that comes from the heart. And a perfect very organic production with some fittingly sparse arrangements by her husband Alexander Krull.

A collection of songs that should get wider recognition and might appeal to fans of singer/songwriters like Aimee Mann or Tori Amos. A female star is born.

I love Liv Kristine in Leaves' Eyes and she is just as good on her own. This is a catchy fun album that pop lovers and fans of Liv Kristine alike can enjoy.