Jenny Dalton - Fleur de Lily (2006)

Jenny Dalton is a singer/songwriter who comes from the same branch as the likes of Tori Amos, Jewel and Evanescence to a lesser extent. The first of many piano driven numbers is the vivid, mid-tempo "At Ease" that could be found on any Vanessa Carlton album. It's a strong number with Dalton's vocal front and center, complemented by distant harmonies. Just as good is "Bad Day" that has a haunting, unnerving quality to it before the chorus kicks in. This blueprint is often revisited throughout the 13-track album, particularly during the orchestral "Deep Dark Secrets" that has Dalton singing sweetly. Perhaps the biggest hurdle for the singer is making her mark in a field littered with similar albums and like-minded artists. When Dalton breaks out of this mid-tempo rut, as she does with "Violet Walk," the results are pleasing and promising as it packs bite and verve. The song also musters up some gravitas or theatrics near the homestretch as the tempo picks up into a gallop. When Dalton is playful and wraps this playfulness around a tight melody, as is the case with both "Circles" and "Three Lilies," she definitely impresses through the handful of twists and turns. The same can be said for the short but memorable "Lily and the Stranger" that resembles early solo material by Natalie Merchant. Perhaps the highlight of the album is the poignant "Iraqi Sky" that isn't overtly political or preachy but does get Dalton's message across subtly. Here the string accompaniment also does a great job of coloring the song.