Customer Reviews

Cherry Marmalade

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

With this album, Kay imparts on a transition to a more "mature" sound. Ordinarily when I hear that term, I interpret it to mean "thick pontificating" or "slower" or "nearly dead." But it suits Kay just fine here, and rather than being a criticism, it instead means more wistful lyrics, more intricate melodies and less reliance on throbbing guitars (although Michael still cranks it up in spots, naturally). And rest at ease, fans: her vocals are as intense and wide-ranging as ever.

I started to do a song-by-song rundown of the CD, comparing each to previous of Kay's songs. I soon realized that was in vain, since this is kind of an experimental album for her, and bears little strict resemblance to any Letters to Cleo release (other than to say that it in general has more in common with leisurely cuts like "Alouette and Me" and "Step Back" than with grinding rock such as "Fast Way" or "Disappear").

My personal favorites here do happen to be the "harder-edged" songs (Mean Streak, Made in the Shade), but there really are no bad ones to be found; I even enjoyed the occasional steel guitars quite a bit. Yet if you are one of those who favor "Do What You Want" over "The Wuss Song," maybe you ought to give it a listen before buying. (Cleo-philes will excuse all the name-dropping I am doing.)

Cherry Marmalade is a step down from Kay's highwater mark of "Go!" But all in all, a very well-turned piece of work, worth the wait. That said, I can't wait for Kay's next project.

See also: Everything else Kay ever had a hand in (including lesser-known stuff like Generation O); Nina Gordon; Aimee Mann; Juliana Hatfield; That Dog

I know. You're sitting there thinking Kay Hanley who?? You've
possibly not even heard of her former band Letters to Cleo but let
me assure you that anonimity should not be confused in this
case with untalented. Kay has what I consider to be the best
voice in rock today, treading the lines between sexy, innocent,
melodic and powerful. It's been a few years since LTC so sadly
departed from the music scene, but this solo effort quenches the
thirst.

Displaying a more mature songwriting style, Kay shows that she
not only has a great voice, but an equally sharp mind. She bares
her soul with her most personal lyrics to date.

This album features no less than 8 stellar tracks and is a rarity in
todays music scene in the sense that it can be played from
beginning to end with no need for skipping. Tracks such as (#2)
"This Dreadful Life", (#3) "Satellite" and (#5) "Sheltering Sky"
showcase Kays ear for pop rock melody with their intoxicatingly
fresh hooks (courtesy of hubby Michael Eisenstein) and "too good
for Top 40 radio" polish. Track (#7) "Made in the Shade" is an alt
rock gem, with guitars courtesy of fellow Bostonian Jen Trynin,
that bangs out power chords to echo the woulda-coulda-shoulda
tone of the song. ""...but first do your worst, I've got my best
happy-ending face on...".

For me, the highlight track of the album is track (#8) "Faded
Dress". One of the most emotionally charged tracks on the disc,
this song should be destined for the top of the charts with it's
"Hey that's how I feel" appeal and incredibly well composed lyrics
complemented by the perfect not too slow, but not too hard
music. In Kay's words "...forget the love and just bring the happy."

I've rambled enough...suffice it to say that the other unmentioned
tracks are all fantastic in some or many other regards. (#12)
"Trans-Neptunian Object #1" is difficult to categorize but even
more difficult to get out of your head once it is there. That is the
magic of this album. It is full of great writing that finds its way into
your memory because of it's exciting, intelligent, seductive and
fresh delivery....courtesy of the criminally overlooked and
underappreciated angelic voice of Kay Hanley. In terms of musical
quality, album of the year is no stretch.....find out for yourself.

PChat19

"Cherry Marmalade" is the debut release from Kay Hanley, the former lead singer of the now defunct Boston band Letters to Cleo. "Cherry Marmalade" not only brings the Cleo sound back to the music scene, but it allows for Kay to branch out into more mature territory with "Faded Dress", "Galapagos", and the country-like "Happy to Be Here". "This Dreadful Life", "Satellite", and "Mean Streak" are three of the CD's most "poppy" songs, with catchy lyrics that could give Kay a massive hit. Hopefully, "Cherry Marmalade" will break Kay into the main stream. This CD is proof that she deserves all the popularity she receives. It's a must have.

Cherry Marmalade Kay's first solo album, and hopefully first of many. Compared to her work in Letters to Cleo and the soundtrack to Josie and the Pussycats, this collection of songs by Kay and guitarist Mike Eisenstein is a bit less angry, less frenzied, with more pop flavor, even a little country music influence sprinkled in. Most of the tunes work very well, with strong, interesting melodies, and sympathetic backing from her bandmates. Hanley sets and meets a high standard here for material, performance, and production. Best of all, it is simply fun to listen to.

Though touching on different genres. this record is as good as the best of Letters to Cleo, and anyone who enjoys well-crafted pop/rock music should find enjoyment here. Kay Hanley's voice sincerely communicates zest for life, longing, loss, all these things -- without a false note. I believe that skill is really the key to the artistic success of the projects she's done. There is an essential honesty in her work. The only way this album could have been improved is if the songs were more harmoniously related to one another in theme and style. Get it, listen, admire, and enjoy.

Don't be thrown off when you first put this CD in your player. It's not Letters to Cleo. It's not Josie and its miles away from Generation O. If you can't deal with change right away, skip to track 11, Mean Streak, listen to that for assurance before delving into the rest of the songs on the disc. The rest of the songs reveal a different Kay than we knew with LTC. As much as we loved this Kay, it's not painful to let go and move on when you are moving on to this wonderful album. Kay has matured, but in a good way. The lyrics in this album are beautiful windows into a different side of Kay. They can reach you like her lyrics never have been able to before (and this is really saying a lot). So buy the album! just do it! believe me

Cherry Marmalade marks the solo debut of singer Kay Hanley, former front-woman of the seminal mid-90's Boston band Letters to Cleo. While LTC showcased solid song-craft and high energy live performances, the true distinguishing factor was the depth and introspection of the lyrics and the absolute urgency of the delivery. Ms. Hanley sings like it matters, like it matters a lot.

Cherry Marmalade allows Kay Hanley the freedom to explore a wider variety of musical backdrops. Many of the twelve songs are not easily categorized, blending rock and country influences with acoustic instrumentation and keyboard parts. At first listen, the strongest tracks are clustered near the middle of the CD. The eerily atmospheric Princely Ghetto shows off Kay's voice to its fullest. Sheltering Sky, Made in the Shade and Mean Streak are all solid rock that will be most stylistically similar to LTC fans. Chady Saves the Day, Galapagos and Faded Dress are slow and contemplative, exploring themes of loss and regret. Kay's lyrics are, as always, rich with imagery and finely honed.

There is little doubt that Cherry Marmalade is the strongest work of Kay Hanley's career. Hopefully, it will receive the critical and commercial success that it so obviously deserves

I bought this CD because I liked Letters to Cleo and Kay Hanley's voice. To my surprise, the CD didn't sound much like Letters to Cleo, but I still found it to be a great CD. The lyrics have meaning and the music is a bit experimental compared to Letters to Cleo, but they carried a nice tune that you will find yourself humming throughout the day. I liked the first two tracks the best.

"If you wanna hurt me it's an unqualified success"... the one thing I love most about this album is its lyrics. Kay and her Letters To Cleo bandmates always had a way with words, but on this solo debut she really shines as a songwriter.

There isn't a single song that I would skip, and there's a nice combination of mid-tempo and slower tracks. Each time I listen to this CD I have a new favourite - currently they are "Faded Dress", "Sheltering Sky", "This Dreadful Life" and "Trans Neptunian Object #1".

I cannot recommend this CD enough.

The Brightest Star in Boston's Night sky
is for sure Kay Hanley !! For many years Kay
has been on the Boston skyline with her ~Old~ Band
"Letters to Cleo". LTC hit many heart strings
with their music. This launched the band into
new venues. In the late 90's the band went their
own ways (saddly) But in early 2003 Kay,
with her High vocal range and thundering melodys,
came back to show us all that ~Chaddy~ did indeed
save the day, with her new Album ~Cherry Marmalade~
Kay shows us, that she can do it all, Rock, folk,-
country, pop, and does it very well..
If you liked Kay in LTC,
You really need to hear her full range..
The CD has a the feel of LTC, but then "steps-back"
into what Kay herself likes to sing.
If you liked Kay before, You'll Love her new CD !
I surely did !!

Kay Hanley is one of the most talented singer/songwriters out there today. Her lines are pithy, her rhythms are infectious, and every track is auditory heaven. If you loved Letters To Cleo, heck, if you liked Letters to Cleo...Check out Kay's new stuff. Its amazing.