Post by jptheprofessor on Oct 8, 2006 23:19:43 GMT -5
JUST MEGAN – BLUE AVENUE (no label) Just Megan is the stage name alter ego of aspiring young Punxsutawney-based singer, songwriter and musician Megan Carlson. On Just Megan’s debut CD, Blue Avenue, Megan explores her musical world; creating a tapestry that weaves together elements of blues, folk, modern rock and pop. Besides writing and composing the songs; Megan sings, plays some lead, rhythm guitar, and keys, plus produces the album. Megan creates folksy tones on the opening track “Not Here” and “All You Have Left,” and delves into blues flavors on the title song “Blue Avenue” and “No Sense to Me.” Megan also explores modern pop textures on the songs “Little Flight,” “That’s So Me” and “I Don’t Know You;” psychedelic tones on “Never Too Far;” rocks out with a Pat Benatar-like fervor on “Wrecking Ball;” and gets stern and spiteful on “My Nemesis.” Megan’s voice displays some range and sultriness as she sings of relationships, affairs of the heart, her emotions, self-reflections and more. In her first full-fledged recording effort, Megan experiments with a variety of arrangements here, ranging from simple and straightforward to layered and more complex; the sound never stays in one place for too long. Some results work better than others; Megan’s voice comes off a little too processed in spots, and some moments, like “That’s So Me,” sound more cluttered and busier than they need to be. But ultimately, Blue Avenue displays the charm and innocence of a young performer exploring her musical world and creativity. Just Megan does just fine, and Blue Avenue is a respectable first offering and building block upon which Megan Carlson can learn and grow from. (The CD can be obtained at shows or by visiting Megan’s website, www.justmegan.net.)