Mandy Moore Album: “Amanda Leigh”

Have you heard of Mandy's cover of Doris Day's "Secret Love" (a style that Mrs. Moore hopefully ventures into in the future) on her Greatest Hits release? "Amanda Leigh" lies within the same vein - theatrical but made for easy listening.

I think that's why I enjoy Mandy Moore so much... it's the surprise factor and CONSISTENCY. Hell, I thought the Wild Hope effort was great but Amanda Leigh delivers, and does it with ease. With great mesmerizing melodies like "Merrimack River" and moody and haunting numbers such as the profound "Everblue"... she could have done NO wrong. Two songs that I found extremely nostalgic are "Indian Summer" (the piano introduction gives me chills) and "Bug" (an acoustic delight). Just INCREDIBLE. Mandy has done a fine, fine job.

I say to her keep up the great work... don't take the easy way out and spill out pop garbage (i.e. kelly clarkson) just to pay the bills.

This has been my favorite release so far this year.

With her latest effort, "Amanda Leigh", Mandy Moore continues to solidify her credentials as a contemporary singer-songwriter. This new album is much in the same folk-pop style as her last one, "Wild Hope", but with the addition of a bit of a country flavor this time. As on "Wild Hope", there are echoes of Joni Mitchell in the vocal and melodic lines, while the piano work is occasionally reminiscent of Sarah McLachlan. The steel guitars on "Love To Love Me Back" are something new, though, as is the clavinet on the first single, "I Could Break Your Heart Any Day Of the Week". Another track that I found particularly appealing was the closing song, the country-influenced "Bug". Another fine effort from Mandy, and one that is especially recommended for fans of Mitchell, McLachlan, Norah Jones, and Katie Melua.

"Amanda Leigh" is not 'Candy Mandy'. This is Moore's masterpiece. With an album-length 70's vibe, Mandy and musical partner Mike Viola channel vintage Van Dyke Parks in opening number and instant classic "Merrimack River", a song of dazzling subtlety with a forget-me-not melody. "Fern Dell" is filled with playful time changes- delightfully cabaret. If current radio was any good at all, "I Could Break Your Heart Any Day Of The Week" would be a huge hit. Mandy expertly channels Joni Mitchell in the breathtaking "Song About Home", a song that wouldn't have sounded out of place on Mitchell's "For The Roses" or "Court And Spark". For me, "Song About Home" and the following "Everblue", a flowing and intimate gem are also instant classics. One can practically feel a gentle breeze blowing through "Love To Love You Back" and "Indian Summer". "Nothing Everything" is the last classic with a wonderfully inventive arrangement, especially the ending background vocals. "Bug" serves as a perfect coda to the preceding music. It has echoes of Cat Stevens.

The lyrics throughout are inventive, honest and relatable. Mandy's emergence as an artist to be reckoned with began with "Wild Hope" and flowers on "Amanda Leigh". Delicious!

From the first 10 seconds, this album blew me away. I love the guitars and the folkish vocals. The harmonies and melodies are just amazing in this. I hate to use the word "darker", but it is darker than her other material; more grown-up, I suppose. It's definately more mature in it's instrument use and as a musician, I think this is her best work yet. I hope she continues within this path and delivers more as soon as possible.

I simply love this latest gem from Mandy Moore. It is just so wonderful to see her going this direction of gorgeous, sunny, brilliant of a pop album with hints of folky, americanas, alt-country being thrown in.

She is much better doing these kind of songs. Her voice really feels free

and organic with these type of tunes. I hope she will keep on continue releasing great albums. One of the very best albums of the year!