She’s the darling of world-famous TV show Glee, and now Lea Michele’s released an album. I’m perfectly aware of her fan following and how enthusiastic they are about her beloved show. With that in mind, I’m also aware I could be run out of town for what I say next… I didn’t like her album.
Before anyone gets angry, at least let me finish. The album does have two songs that stood out for me: Burn With You and Cue The Rain are both powerful and catchy. Lea has a great voice which has so far been perfectly suited to Glee and Broadway shows. This album, however, seems to veer towards big dance numbers that often crop up in clubs, rather than sticking to the sickly sweet pop featured in the show – a million miles from Rachel Berry. However, the album is still tinged with the good girl image that has become synonymous with Lea’s name.
Then there’s the elephant in the room. It is immediately clear, the second you start listening to any song on this album that it has been inspired by loss and grief. Lea’s long-term partner and Glee co-star, Cory Monteith, passed away in July of last year, and he is definitely what has driven this album. Although never explicitly mentioned, he is behind every lyric and every press of the piano key. In the song If You Say So, Lea recounts her feelings in the week after Cory’s death. In Burn With You, Lea sings that she doesn’t want to go to heaven if Cory is in hell. While the album doesn’t really appeal to me, I have to give credit to Lea. It is charged with her pain and anguish and to come out of such a harrowing experience, willing to let it inspire you and help you move on is quite an achievement. However, I personally see this as a form of personal therapy and release for Lea, rather than an album I would rush to the shop to buy.
I think it’s good that Lea is trying other things aside from the songs we all know and love from Glee. If you’re into Demi Levato’s music, then I would definitely have a listen. However, if I disregard the fact that this album is Lea’s bouncing back from a difficult time, then I have to say I wasn’t impressed.
[rating=2]
