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Amanda Sena
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...Only Makes Me Stronger
Starbox Music
Release: 7/17/2007
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Rated:
Review by:
Gisele Grignon
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There's a surprising and welcomed dichotomy created by near
sinfully simplistic love (or lack thereof) songs delivered in a rich
husky voice. It's that combination that automatically gives Amanda
Sena's Only Makes Me Stronger sincerity and gravitas
(finally, an opportunity to use that lusciously snooty word). These
qualities, plus a natural lyrical confidence help push Sena to the
front of the pack.
Those strengths are especially evident in "Always Mine" and "Don't
Say," Sena manages to avoid making these cuts coming across like
overly-earnest audition pieces for a spot on the high school
musical. With sparse yet moving instrumentals, you can almost
picture her "in character" with the ponytail and poodle skirt, giving
it her all for the gym teacher/musical director. You can't help but
want her to get that coveted lead role.
Which is not to say, Sena is in any way, shape or form, amateurish.
This Chicago-based singer/songwriter offers up a vulnerability
that's tinged with just enough chutzpah to make her human and
believable. She deserves a double helping of praise for not
resorting to interspersing her lyrics with annoying falsettos.
Profound and heartfelt thanks go to you, Amanda Sena for realizing
this commercial must-have affectation would strip you of your
originality. The closest she comes to crossing the natural vocal
range line is in the closing bars of "Breathe Easy." Yet she resists
and instead delivers the perfect bookend for this sensitive,
relatable song.
There's a little bit of Lisa Loeb here, in the melodies if not in the
quirky lyrics. But make no mistake; Amanda Sena is no pop-
princess wannabe. Her lyrics, her vocals, her instrumentals all but
scream Original and Likeable. But what may turn out to be her
greatest quality isn't in the screaming from roof-tops genre: Sena's
true worth may in fact lie in the engrossing whispers sprinkled
throughout this, her sophomore effort: because if you want to grab
someone's attention the trick isn't to shout, but to whisper. Sena's
got that figured out. And then some. |
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