Australian singer/songwriter, actress, model, Natalie Imbruglia is back after having taken a six year hiatus from the music industry. Her latest release, Male, is a cover album which debuted July 31, 2015 via Portrait and was produced by Billy Mann. Male is unique since Imbruglia decided this complete album would consist of songs previously recorded by male artist/bands, with a focus on love and relationships.
Looking at the career of Imbruglia, she began in the entertainment industry at a young age doing commercials and modeling. From 1992-1994, she was a well-known Australian superstar, starring in the Neighbours. It would not be until 1997, when she would hit the music industry by storm with her debut album, Left of the Middle, which would produce “Torn;” still her biggest hit to date, and put her name on the map. Left of the Middle went on to sell over six million copies, received three Grammy nominations, and is the highest selling debut album by a Pop/Rock/Alternative artist.
Imbruglia would go on to release three more albums including 2001’s White Lilies Island, 2005’s Counting Down the Days, and 2009’s Come to Life. It was about the time when Come to Life was released that her marriage to Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns was ending and Imbruglia headed to Los Angeles. She started to take up acting classes and appeared in three movies and one play since. Although, music is still where the heart is for the highly talented Imbruglia as she makes this exciting return.
With Male, while Imbruglia is not the first female artist to make a cover album of all male artist/bands (Tori Amos did with 2001’s Strange Little Girls and 2012’s Rumor’s, Boy’s Don’t Cry); she seems to have gone about creating what many may see as a concept album of male cover songs. All are uniquely chosen and placed in the right track sequence. She is telling a story of what she wanted to conquer with making this album; a message about love and life partnership. She went about thinking it would be a fun idea to record an all-male album with a female voice. However, this album will be debuting a new side of Imbruglia. Many fans of the artist are going to be surprised to hear a more Folk, sultry, melodic, and delicate side to Imbruglia’s voice.
Male has Imbruglia taking the listener on a storytellers journey. Using her divorce and heart-ache to help fuel a healing, there are plenty of songs of hope and many of longing on the album. Through it all, her voice does not stray from one that is more mature. It is unlike the Imbruglia voice we have associated as her unique sound throughout her career. Most of the songs Imbruglia picked, however, are less popular tunes by very well-known artists which are spot-on in being included in the theme of the album. For many, hearing Imbruglia’s renditions of every song will be surprisingly wonderful.
The tone of the twelve track album (13 with a bonus track, radio version of Daft Punk’s “Instant Crush”) is folkish country with a more mellow sounding style, which fits beautifully with Imbruglia’s vocals. The album’s first track is a cover of Daft Punk’s, “Instant Crush” featuring Julian Casablancas. The song starts off with a melodic piano solo which continues throughout the song until an upbeat chorus. It is a stripped down version of the original, but contains some beautiful vocals by Imbruglia.
Another track on the album, “The Waiting,” originally done by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, is an upbeat Bluegrass/Country song with harmonica and banjos in the background. It is a song about hope and waiting for love that is right in front of of the listener. Imbruglia’s vocals are a perfect match to the music and melody of the song.
There are two songs on the album that most listeners will be aware due to the popularity of them; “Friday I’m In Love” by the Cure and “I Melt With You” by Modern English. Imbruglia brings fun, easy going vocals to these two songs. Both have an up-tempo acoustic guitar sound mixed with snare drums and male back-up singers on refrains. They are very different renditions of the original sounding versions. Both are surprisingly just as enjoyable and ones the listener will find themselves, singing or dancing too.
Damien Rice’s “Cannonball” shows off a haunting piano and string arrangement, with a soft and vulnerable vocal performance that is beautiful and perfect for this cover. “Only Love Can Break Your Heart” by Neil Young will provide the listener with a solo bass performance and a sultry vocal. These songs are very special and unique sounding. There is a nakedness of the soul due to little accompaniment to hide behind, so Imbruglia’s voice is strong yet is fragile. She was brave to pick these singles as songs to sing.
One of Imbruglia’s favorite songs on the album, one that she wanted to show off another side of what is important in her life, is Cat Stevens’ “The Wind.” It is a song that is spiritual in nature, a side Stevens wanted to showcase. Imbruglia chose it for the same reason. It is beautiful, crisp, and clear acoustic guitar playing with Imbruglia’s inspirational sounding vocals.
“Let Love Open the Door” by Pete Townshend caught Imbruglia’s attention when she found out what happened when Townshend went into the studio to record his solo album. His manager was not pleased, because it was not The Who sounding album he expected. Imbruglia found this song to be “different; brave and simple.” Her rendition of it is bright and breezy, vocally and musically. It includes acoustic guitars, flute, xylophones, and snare drums. There is even hand clapping and male back up singing.
“Naked as We Came” by Iron and Wine is a stunning piece about finding love and staying with that soul-mate until the end. It is a storytelling from beginning of the song until the end. Imbruglia’s voice is almost timid sounding, but strong. Acoustic guitars strumming in the back ground, bass and snare drums add to the story of love. It is a short song, but its powerful meaning will surely become a fan favorite.
Imbruglia and Billy Mann created a perfectly woven cover of songs that will display a new side of Imbruglia that fans have not yet heard before with Male. Think Sarah McLaughlin meets Norah Jones sounding music with piano and acoustic guitar that can be upbeat or sultry sounding. Imbruglia’s vocal performance is breathtakingly honest and vulnerable. She shows off she has the chops to cover Country, Folk, and Indie with a side of sultry, melodic, sass, haunting, and even upbeat music. Imbruglia may have always been considered a Pop/Rock singer, but Male showcases that her talents vocally are more than they seem. There is a reason Imbruglia has sold over ten million copies worldwide since 1997. Fans now wait patiently for an album of original material in the near future. CrypticRock gives Natalie Imbruglia’s Male 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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