Meiko

Meiko

Meiko

MySpace Records 2008

Alison Kozol

Massachusetts

Meiko's debut self-titled album shows little creativity, but a rather interesting new voice. Although her lyrics are mostly clichés, Meiko's voice shines through.

Sometimes she sings in a throaty whisper, like in the first track, "Reasons To Love You," a softer song about being vulnerable in love. Sometimes she sings in a happy yelp, as in the toe-tapping "Boys With Girlfriends," a song that was recently featured on both The Hills and Grey's Anatomy.

Meiko is part of a resurgence of singer-songwriters, like Rachel Yamagata and Thao Nguyen, two musicians she recently toured with on the Hotel Café Tour. However, Yamagata and Nguyen have remarkable lyrics, something Meiko lacks.

Meiko is more reminiscent of singer-songwriters of the past few years, like Michelle Branch and Vanessa Carlton, who have gifted voices, but uninspired lyrics. Fans of Branch and Carlton will love Meiko and consider her songs to be sweet and simple. "Piano Song" is a prime example: Meiko croons her words slowly and happily.

All in all, Meiko's music consists of boring and mostly trite lyrics, but her singing style makes her worth listening to.