Jill Goldberg – Girl, Polite

Jill Goldberg – Girl, Polite
2011, Louar Music

Boston-based singer/songwriter Jill Goldberg returns on April 1, 2011 with a new six-song EP, Girl, Polite.  The talented and savvy artist provides her own perspectives on life, love and loss in solid, piano-drive pop/rock tunes full of heart.  Opening with “Not Worth It”, Goldberg crafts intriguingly radio-friendly pop without sounding saccharine or trite.  Goldberg’s deep alto voice is a pleasure to listen to, and she comes off as something of a cross between Laura Branigan and Paula Cole.  “Girl, Polite” explores the struggles of someone brought up to be a ‘good girl’ but feeling rage and anger at the actions of others.  What is occurring beneath the placid depths of polite conversation may surprise you, but should be strange to almost no one.  All of this is covered under a smooth-pop sound that is delightful.

“Where Did You Go” is a sorrowful pop ballad, born of heartbreak and loss.  There is a faux waltz underpinning the arrangement in 6/4 time, and Goldberg’s voice gives more than a few ‘WOW’ moments here.  “Five Steps” and “I’m Always Right” are bland filler, but Goldberg recovers nicely with “My Heaven”; a love song to one who may never hear it.  Goldberg writes here for herself, trying to survive loss and loneliness.  Goldberg is absolutely amazing on the chorus; her voice rich and deep and full of an abject beauty.

Girl, Polite hits a lot of right notes, and Jill Goldberg’s voice is in fine form throughout.  There are two filler tunes here, but even in her more mundane moments Goldberg is intriguing.  It’s a shame Goldberg will only be promoting this EP on the East Coast; she shows enough talent and panache to extend her reach well beyond the I-95 corridor.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Jill Goldberg at http://www.jillgoldberg.com/ or www.myspace.com/jillgoldberg.  Girl, Polite drops April 1, 2011, and will be available from Amazon.com as a CD or Download.