Amanda Leigh

Mandy Moore | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 26, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Storefront
• ASIN: B001WCN1U6
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,934 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Merrimack River

2. Fern Dell

3. I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week

4. Pocket Philosopher

5. Song About Home

6. Everblue

7. Merrimack River (Reprise)

8. Love to Love Me Back

9. Indian Summer

10. Nothing Everything

11. Bug

Editorial Reviews

2009 album from the singer, songwriter, actress and wife to Pop/Rock troubadour Ryan Adams. Amanda Leigh was produced by Mike Viola, leader of The Candy Butchers and co-songwriter for music from That Thing You Do and Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. The album's direction is inspired by Moore and Viola's mutual love for Paul McCartney's Ram album and the songwriting of artists like Todd Rundgren, Joni Mitchell, CSNY and Nilsson. Mandy has sold over 8 million albums worldwide. Her critically acclaimed performances in movies such as Saved, American Dreamz and the more recent, Dedication, have made her one of Hollywood's most desirable actresses.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Something new, but also timeless May 28, 2009

By Edward Hoge

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have to confess...I've always liked Mandy Moore. I even like her bubblegum pop years that she's disavowed, but I think it's because even then I felt that she had a quality that separated her from the pop-tarts of the day. That feeling was vindicated with "Coverage", her all-covers album, and then the triumph of "Wild Hope", which blew away any doubt that Mandy had the talent to be a real singer and songwriter.

So where does "Amanda Leigh" fit into this? To me, it's a masterpiece in the original sense. This proves that Mandy Moore deserves to be recognized as more than just "singer/actress" or "that girl who wasn't Britney or Christina." The album is like "Coverage" without being covers, it's like "Wild Hope" but with less packaging. It's like a sampling of the best of the 1970s without being a rip-off, but also fresh and current. I imagine a lot of the credit for the arrangements goes to her producer, who isn't afraid to pair strings with steel guitar or wrap in other combinations that beautifully complement the melodies and Mandy's perfect voice. She's playful and lilting at times, sultry and moody at others, and always front and center.

Favorite tracks? All of them, I suppose, but Merrimack River is certainly at the top of my list (and first on the album).

This album should be on lots of people's lists. It will be a revelation to some who might be skeptics or curious about this "singing actress" or "Ryan Adams' new wife", and I think it also should appeal to fans of Kim Richey, Dar Williams, and similar singer-songwriters. A must-buy (and a no-brainer at the current digital download price of $3.99!)

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars She does it again... May 25, 2009

By Tam

Format:MP3 Music

Have you heard of Mandy's cover of Doris Day's "Secret Love" (a style that Mrs. Moore hopefully ventures into in the future) on her Greatest Hits release? "Amanda Leigh" lies within the same vein - theatrical but made for easy listening.

I think that's why I enjoy Mandy Moore so much... it's the surprise factor and CONSISTENCY. Hell, I thought the Wild Hope effort was great but Amanda Leigh delivers, and does it with ease. With great mesmerizing melodies like "Merrimack River" and moody and haunting numbers such as the profound "Everblue"... she could have done NO wrong. Two songs that I found extremely nostalgic are "Indian Summer" (the piano introduction gives me chills) and "Bug" (an acoustic delight). Just INCREDIBLE. Mandy has done a fine, fine job.

I say to her keep up the great work... don't take the easy way out and spill out pop garbage (i.e. kelly clarkson) just to pay the bills.

This has been my favorite release so far this year.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Splendid June 30, 2009

By Jennifer Midura

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

It saddens me to think that people might blow this album off simply because they hear "Mandy Moore" and think of "Candy" and "I Wanna Be With You" years. While those songs were popular but no examples of fine music, I feel like Mandy Moore deserves another chance with listeners. She has matured into a fine songwriter and a superb artist. This album shows her maturity with evocative melodies and soul-penetrating lyrics. What helps her voice soar on this album compared with the others is the pairing of Moore's voice with a male backup vocalist instead of the usual female bunch (or Moore backing up herself). It gives it a richness that her older tracks never quite reached.
My favorite track is certainly Merrimack River (it's been on repeat on my iPod for weeks now), although each track has personality. Believe it or not, the single "I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week" is one of my least favorite tracks on the album, though it grows on me as I hear it within the context of the album (as opposed to on its own).
One point of interest--this is an ALBUM in the full sense of the word. While each song is great on its own, the album meant to be listened from start to finish like an old-school record. The tracks flow into one another and often will have an instrument recall a previous melody from another track. It's not something you come across in today's single-centric society. I definitely recommend buying the whole album, listening to it through, then going back and hearing individual songs again once you get a sense of where they are in the changing moods of the work.
Brava, Mandy! Hopefully people will give this album a spin and appreciate the fine musician you've grown to be.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Winner From Mandy! May 27, 2009

By Stewart Tick

Format:Audio CD

With her latest effort, "Amanda Leigh", Mandy Moore continues to solidify her credentials as a contemporary singer-songwriter. This new album is much in the same folk-pop style as her last one, "Wild Hope", but with the addition of a bit of a country flavor this time. As on "Wild Hope", there are echoes of Joni Mitchell in the vocal and melodic lines, while the piano work is occasionally reminiscent of Sarah McLachlan. The steel guitars on "Love To Love Me Back" are something new, though, as is the clavinet on the first single, "I Could Break Your Heart Any Day Of the Week". Another track that I found particularly appealing was the closing song, the country-influenced "Bug". Another fine effort from Mandy, and one that is especially recommended for fans of Mitchell, McLachlan, Norah Jones, and Katie Melua.