Flutterby
(Alex the Great/A&M)
Release Date: 10/30/2003 12:00
On Butterfly Bouchers solid debut, the 24-year-old Australian singer-songwriter looks up to radio goddess Sheryl Crows sun-drenched pop, with a wink at Avril Lavignes spunky faux-punk, too. As with Crow, Bouchers competent, unpretentious craft is moderately impressive, much like her multi-instrumental prowess. Singing and playing everything, she sounds like an excellent if uninspired studio band. Her voice is formidable but distinguished mostly by her Aussie vowels. Shes great at wrapping herself around a power chord, most notably on the sexy, dynamic single I Cant Make Me. But she wont settle for being fun, instead straining for profundity. Unfortunately, though, when she ruminates on a discarded past by marveling at the highway dividers on Another White Dash, she speeds the listener into Lavignes more puerile territory.