Kate Miller-Heidke - Liberty Bell

Kate Miller-Heidke - Liberty Bell
2011, Sony Music

Australian singer/songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke is an enigma. Classically trained, Miller-Heidke can sing folk ballads, electric dance tracks or classic opera arias with equal grace. Her rise to world-wide eminence was fueled by a viral video on YouTube for the song "Are You F###ing Kidding Me", but Miller-Heidke is a talented songwriter who doesn't let humor get in the way of great songwriting (and vice versa). Her quirky approach has been lauded around the world, and caught the ear of Ben Folds, whom Miller-Heidke spent a large portion of 2010 opening for. Miller-Heidke recently returned with Liberty Bell, the follow-up to Curiouser.

Liberty Bell kicks off with "Are You Ready", an infectious little tune that gets stuck in your noggin and bounces around for hours. It's a date night song that's sweet and quirky at the same time, and has been picked up for a NYS Lot commercial. Don't let that impugn the song however; this is a legitimate pop hit - light, fluffy and a lot of fun. "The Devil's In The Details" is a distinct change of pace; a lyrically minimalist dance track that's novel ear candy. Miller Heidke's songwriting partner and husband Keir Nuttall rips it up here with some intriguing guitar riffs and an energetic dance track that might just spawn its own dance. The pair keeps it simple on "Liberty Bell", an infectiously catchy and fun track that's danceable but retains enough organic pop sound to make it a potential pop hit. The brief chorus is reminiscent of They Might Be Giants in sound, right down to the angular guitar work and simple lyrical scheme.

"The Tiger Inside Will Eat The Child" is surprisingly bland dance-oriented pop, not the sort of material you'd expect from Miller-Heidke based on her previous releases. "Holloway Park" is cut from similar cloth, but Miller-Heidke recovers nicely with "Let Me Fade". While not her most engaging pure vocal performance, "Let Me Fade" is heartbreaking and powerful. The song is an apology and goodbye from a parent who loved imperfectly and rests at death's doorstep. The simple, piano-based arrangement enhances the power of the song. "You Got The World" is a catchy pop/rock number set to an incessant dance beat; a solid album track that might fit well on a movie soundtrack.

"Better In Spain" is a gentle rumination on a slower pace of life. The vocal harmonies on the chorus will catch your ear first, but this quietly well-written tune is more likely to grow on you over time than grab your attention the first time through. "Fatty Gets A Stylist" is an infectious novelty dance track that is likely to well in the clubs and would fare well in a Farrelly Brothers movie. The song is entertaining, and the vocal harmonies are stark and appealing, but fans of Miller-Heidke may feel as if this tune is below the level of her musical talent. "The Flasher" under-uses Miller-Heidke's impressive voice in another dance track sourced on loops and riffs. The arrangement is catchy, and is likely to do well in the club set, but is bit inane aside from the dance beat. Liberty Bell closes with "The Plane Went Down", a somewhat obtuse and dramatic narrative on a plane crash in the first person. Miller-Heidke is impressive on vocals, and the arrangement is well constructed, but the tune itself is likely to leave listeners scratching their heads.

Kate Miller-Heidke is a singular talent, as is her partner in crime Keir Nuttal. However it's not clear what the musical motivation is on Liberty Bell. Miller-Heidke's is a rare gem in the world of pop music, and her quirky sense of humor and personality allows Miller-Heidke to tackle traditional subjects in a non-traditional fashion. Her previous album, Curiouser, was full of heart, wit and several instances of pure pop magic. Those elements aren't exactly missing on Liberty Bell, but their clarity has been muddled by the striving for chart success. Liberty Bell is a solid effort that leans a bit too heavily on sound and effect and not enough on the natural musical talents of Miller-Heidke. This could have been so much more.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Kate Miller-Heidke at www.katemillerheidke.com or www.myspace.com/katemillerheidke.  Liberty Bell is released under Kate Miller-Heidke's name in the US. In Australia, the album is considered a side project for both Miller-Heidke and Nuttall, and is released under the band name Fatty Gets A Stylist.

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Video: Kate Miller-Heidke - The Tiger Will Eat The Child Inside

Review: Kate Miller-Heidke - Curiouser

Kate Miller-Heidke - Curiouser
2010, SIN/SONY Music

Folks who have taken in one of the shows on Ben Folds current tour have been confronted with a highly intriguing opening act in Kate Miller-Heidke. The platinum-selling Australian chanteuse of the golden hair and platinum voice has wowed crowds here in the US. This is not news in her native Australia, where Miller-Heidke has been a chart presence for some time now. In March of 2010, SIN/SONY dropped Miller-Heidke’s Curiouser on an unsuspecting American populace. The album was released in Australia in 2008 and has subsequently gone platinum there, shooting as high as #2 on the ARIA charts and #1 on the iTunes Australia chart. The reasons for Miller-Heidke’s success are many; the classically trained vocalist can blow out your eardrums with her coloratura soprano sounds as well as twist your mind with some of the quirkiest sounds in either hemisphere. Her songwriting, aided by husband/guitarist Keir Nuttall, runs the gamut from deeply personal emotional fare to absurdly funny observations about the world. Produced by Mickey Petralia (Beck,eels, Dandy Warhols), Curiouser has been hailed as one of the best Australian albums in some time. Don’t be surprised if that conversation drops the “Australian” going forward.

Curiouser opens with the quirky and danceable "The One Thing I Know", a highly unusual and eclectic love song that could easily be classified as a rocker, a pop tune or even club music. At the center of it is Miller-Heidke's beautifully eclectic voice; the one that bends at angles that don't always seem possible. "God's Gift To Women" is certain to become an anthem for the bar set; or anyone else exposed to the unwanted advances of a maroon so full of himself he can't see how deep he's waded in. Miller-Heidke plays like a cross between Gwen Stefani and Nellie McKay in a tune that should be a huge hit if it were ever released as a single. Barring that, you can be certain you'll hear this tune in syndication somewhere. "Caught In The Crowd" is an apology in song; recognition that our behavior as kids is often not what we might hope for as adults. It's a great pop tune that will resonate with most listeners regardless of where they're from.

Miller-Heidke displays some of her trademark humor on "Can't Shake It", bemoaning her own lack of rhythm on the dance floor. The song is funny without stooping to the level of a novelty tune, but also has the temerity to be a high-quality pop tune with a serious dance beat. Things quiet down for the resplendent end-of-the-world daydream that is "The Last Day On Earth". Miller-Heidke shows off a softer side and some serious range in a number that shouldn't be soothing but plays like a lullaby, as the protagonist gains all she's lost in the final moments of creation. "I Like You Better When You're Not Around" takes to task that friend we all have who just can't keep her attention off the details of other's lives. It's a humorous song with some serious songwriting chops behind it; Miller-Heidke displays a deft touch with rapid-fire lyrics and a vocal sound that is truly unique.

"Motorscooter" is a fun tune that may border on novelty and is likely destined for a national advertising campaign. It's Miller-Heidke at her quirkiest; a highly entertaining song you simply have to hear to believe. "The End Of School" is a gentle remembrance of the days of youth and leads into the acerbic social commentary of "Politics In Space", which takes to task the political power structure and particularly the baby boom generation for the political and social misadventures of the world. "Supergirl" is an entertaining and highly danceable bit of pop fluff that could turn into a monster on the dance floor. This is another tune that's likely to be tapped for licensing. "Our Song" is a sweet and rambling tune written out of love. It's the most introspective song on Curious and works as a nice foil to the rest of the album. "No Truck" makes eclectic use of a phrase that's fallen somewhat out of fashion. You'll love the music on this song, even if the lyrics don't necessarily add up Curiouser closes with "Stars", a bonus track for the US release that was included in Miller-Heidke's iTunes exclusive self-titled EP this past winter.

For readers in Australia, Kate Miller-Heidke is old news, but here in the Western Hemisphere she is a new phenomenon. It's too early to say yet whether Miller-Heidke will catch on, but it's hard to imagine how she can't. Curiouser has it all; great songwriting, a one-in-a-million voice and a sound that's mainstream enough to become a hot commodity and eclectic enough to stay one. Miller-Heidke's sense of humor illuminates her songs without becoming the driving force, and her story-telling ability and rapid-fire lyrical sensibility are perfect for a generation raised on sound bytes but longing for something a little bit deeper. Miller-Heidke's music is danceable pop you won't feel ashamed of in the morning mixed with more lyric tunes you'll be happy to sit and listen to all day. And whether her voice is in operatic mode or going through kitschy gyrations most vocalists couldn't even imagine, Kate Miller-Heidke will mesmerize you. Curiouser is a Wildy's World Certified Desert Island Disc. Do. Not. Miss. This. One.

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Kate Miller-Heidke at http://www.katemillerheidke.com/ or www.myspace.com/katemillerheidke. Curiouser is available on CD from Amazon.com. Downloads can be purchased from Amazon.MP3 or iTunes.