Girl Next Door
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The girl next door is singing a new tune, thanks to Saving Jane.
The Ohio-based band, led by the sometimes raw and always powerful vocals of Marti Dodson, is turning heads and grabbing ears with its own brand of rocking pop. The album's first single -- and title track -- has already established the band's ability to write songs with universal truths wrapped in irresistible rhythms. On Girl Next Door, Saving Jane plows through mounds of heartaches with a variety of attitudes, and comes out none the worse for the wear.
As the songwriter for the band, Dodson crafts personal lyrics; as the singer, she makes each one authentic. She kicks off the disc with the defiant "Who's Cryin' Now," a post-romance song that sees the tables turning in her favor. Although initially hurt, the girl who was left behind has gone on with her life and isn't willing to take back her old beau when he comes crawling. It's a bold and empowering song that should make it into any "I'll get through this pain" iPod playlist.
At the other end of the spectrum, "Happy" paints a picture of the girl who hasn't gotten over an old flame. She's just learned that he's with someone else and, although she knows the polite thing to do is be happy for him, she's simply not there yet. Dodson's songwriting is outstanding on this track, and she offers up some killer pop hooks.
There's a reason that "Girl Next Door" has resonated with listeners, and that reason goes beyond the catchy pop-rock sound that Saving Jane creates. This tale about being the girl who never gets the guy, and living in the shadow of the next-to-perfect beauty queen, resonates with honesty. It says what many young women have felt since the beginning of time; it's a much-welcomed anthem for the ordinary girl, and it is written in an extraordinary way.
Songs like "Imperfection" and "Ordinary" celebrate her flaws and seem to turn those perceived shortcomings into genuine assets. Saving Jane manages to take all of the personal insecurities imaginable and turn them into an endearing case for self-acceptance. Dodson isn't afraid to bare her soul, and she does it in a way that makes her story ring true with each and every listener.
All but one of the songs on this sparkling debut are originals. The band gives a rocking, energetic cover of the Jackson Browne classic, "The Pretender." It's a surprising twist for the song, which is almost unrecognizable in this ramped-up rendition. The lyrics about longing for a great escape remain virtually unchanged, but it has a completely different feel in this bands hands.
To close out this collection of insights and upsets, Saving Jane serves up the stirring coming-of-age song, "Autumn & Me." Delivered on acoustic guitar with a sparse musical backing, it has a heartfelt edge to it and shows just how versatile Dodson's voice is. This is a beautiful song about one of those friendships that occurs rarely, perhaps once in a lifetime for the truly fortunate, and leaves an impression that lasts a lifetime. This band's debut album may do exactly the same thing.
By Paula Felps
Specs
- PerformerSaving Jane
- Music genreAlternative, Rock
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The girl next door is singing a new tune, thanks to Saving Jane.
The Ohio-based band, led by the sometimes raw and always powerful vocals of Marti Dodson, is turning heads and grabbing ears with its own brand of rocking pop. The album's first single -- and title track -- has already established the band's ability to write songs with universal truths wrapped in irresistible rhythms. On Girl Next Door, Saving Jane plows through mounds of heartaches with a variety of attitudes, and comes out none the worse for the wear.
As the songwriter for the band, Dodson crafts personal lyrics; as the singer, she makes each one authentic. She kicks off the disc with the defiant "Who's Cryin' Now," a post-romance song that sees the tables turning in her favor. Although initially hurt, the girl who was left behind has gone on with her life and isn't willing to take back her old beau when he comes crawling. It's a bold and empowering song that should make it into any "I'll get through this pain" iPod playlist.
At the other end of the spectrum, "Happy" paints a picture of the girl who hasn't gotten over an old flame. She's just learned that he's with someone else and, although she knows the polite thing to do is be happy for him, she's simply not there yet. Dodson's songwriting is outstanding on this track, and she offers up some killer pop hooks.
There's a reason that "Girl Next Door" has resonated with listeners, and that reason goes beyond the catchy pop-rock sound that Saving Jane creates. This tale about being the girl who never gets the guy, and living in the shadow of the next-to-perfect beauty queen, resonates with honesty. It says what many young women have felt since the beginning of time; it's a much-welcomed anthem for the ordinary girl, and it is written in an extraordinary way.
Songs like "Imperfection" and "Ordinary" celebrate her flaws and seem to turn those perceived shortcomings into genuine assets. Saving Jane manages to take all of the personal insecurities imaginable and turn them into an endearing case for self-acceptance. Dodson isn't afraid to bare her soul, and she does it in a way that makes her story ring true with each and every listener.
All but one of the songs on this sparkling debut are originals. The band gives a rocking, energetic cover of the Jackson Browne classic, "The Pretender." It's a surprising twist for the song, which is almost unrecognizable in this ramped-up rendition. The lyrics about longing for a great escape remain virtually unchanged, but it has a completely different feel in this bands hands.
To close out this collection of insights and upsets, Saving Jane serves up the stirring coming-of-age song, "Autumn & Me." Delivered on acoustic guitar with a sparse musical backing, it has a heartfelt edge to it and shows just how versatile Dodson's voice is. This is a beautiful song about one of those friendships that occurs rarely, perhaps once in a lifetime for the truly fortunate, and leaves an impression that lasts a lifetime. This band's debut album may do exactly the same thing.
By Paula Felps
