KIMBERLEY DAHME - review added 13th October 2009
Album Review: Can't A Girl Change Her Mind? (2009)
For fans of: Country Rock... and nothing massively rocking
It initially seems melodic/hard rock label Escape Music is going off at a strange tangent releasing this country/rock/pop album by Kimberley Dahme...until you realise she's the bassist and backing vocalist of legendary rock group Boston.
Joining her on the record are none other than Gary Pihl and Tom Scholz of Boston, both playing electric guitar and bass. On top of that, there's Glen Burtnik of Styx-fame on lead electric guitar, plus a massive line-up of other musicians including Dave Uhrich, Eugene Moles, Robin Ruddy, Dave Rowe, Timothy Gaines, Jeff Neal, Catherine Marx and more. Irene Kelley, Renie Bliss, Jonell Mosser, Renee Garcia, Lang Bliss, Stephanie Swanson and Barry Jobe provide backing vocals.
Even allowing for the Boston influences, Can't A Girl Change Her Mind? is overwhelmingly country. It hints at rock (mostly as soft as a kitten with a sponge on its back) and there's also acoustic pop, even gospel. The main thing you notice, fortunately, is just how good Kimberley's voice is. She's can comfortably rub shoulders with the best female Nashville stars and, to be honest, it's a surprise she hasn't made more of a worldwide impact already.
Song-wise this is not the sort of thing I'd normally listen to, but there's no escaping the talent the album displays. The title track kicks things off, and it's probably the most mainstream of all the songs. There's little doubt it should make waves in the charts - certainly the country specific charts if not the full ones. To be fair it would deserve any success it got. 'Rock You Like a Baby' is one of the slower tracks but, interestingly, also one of the most rocking. The lead-sound is as evocative of country as Dolly Parton and getting thrown off bucking broncos, but there's a pumping bass and solid drum beat to carry the track along. Definitely another chart contender.
'Lighthouse' is subdued, boring and a total waste of time...up until just over a minute and three quarters in when it becomes simply amazing. It's a neat trick that both annoys and amazes me every time I hear it. 'You Make Me Believe' and 'Something We Do' are both pleasant entries, although ultimately a tad safe. I'm not a massive fan of the Mississippi-gospel charms of 'No Question'. It's only a quick burst of sound fortunately. 'Jet Lag City' reminds me of Sheryl Crow's 'All I Wanna Do'. It doesn't necessarily sound identical, but Kimberley's voice has a similar vibe...as it does throughout the album.
The slow 'The Only Man' is a beautiful ballad, again up there with the best on the album. Stunning. 'Love Don't Leave Me Now' is another nice upbeat song with low-end chart potential. 'It Takes Two to Fall' is okay but nothing more. Final track 'With You' was written by Kimberley and originally appeared on the Boston album Corporate America. I haven't heard that version, but the one here is a perfectly agreeable acoustic track with a few VERY Boston-ish guitar riffs layered over the top on occasions. It closes the album on a quiet but mature upbeat note.
Very good album this. It's not 100% up my alley and it suffers from a couple of lesser moments, but the good moments really are exceptional. A few songs on Can't A Girl Change Her Mind? deserve serious chart action. Here's hoping!
Check out... Kimberley playing bass in Boston. That's a bit more rock than this if you aren't a country-lover.
Track List:
1. Can't a Girl Change Her Mind?
2. Rock You Like a Baby
3. Lighthouse
4. You Make Me Believe
5. Something We Do
6. No Question
7. Jet Lag City
8. The Only Man
9. Love Don't Leave Me Now
10. It Takes Two to Fall
11. With You
Label: Escape Music
Artist's website(s): Kimberley Dahme , MySpace
