Unfold with Marié Digby.

NEW MUSIC REVIEW:

Marié Digby, Unfold

Lindsay Van Osten

As a trained musician, I sometimes have a habit of taking on a somewhat snobbish view

 toward music that isn't over-complicated by orchestration. My brain often needs puzzles to unravel in order to maintain interest. Having said that, I think Marié Digby may have shed some light on this issue for me. I've never quite been able to define "good pop music," but to me this is it. Digby's latest record, Unfold, makes you want to sing along before you even know the words. It's simple, it's lovely, and it's infectious. 

The popularity of female singer-songwriters is raging. It can be intimidating to compete with the likes of Leslie Feist, Regina Spektor, Ingrid Michaelson, Alanis Morissette, Lisa Loeb, Sara Bareilles...the list goes on; but this LA songstress can join the ranks with her head held high. Her voice is gorgeous. She certainly doesn't have the unbearable whine that it seems so many female vocalists develop. (Avril Lavigne, anyone?) Instead her tone achieves a breathtaking beauty, and stays that way throughout the entire record. After witnessing the boom of popularity Colbie Caillat's "Bubbly" received, I have no doubts that any track of this album could easily be a hit.

Digby puts all of her emotions out on the table, which is really no surprise as she has cited the struggles of young adulthood as her prime inspiration. She has created an extremely autobiographical and relatable record, without forcing 

the listener to dig for the meanings. She does a fantastic job of taking the listener through the most universal human emotions. I have no idea how many times I have listened to Unfold while preparing this review, but the song "Miss Invisible" has made me cry every time without fail. Somehow Digby is able to express loneliness in the music itself.  You can feel her voice breaking during the entire song, and it shoots straight into the heart.  The chords spark tears before the equally touching lyrics even begin. I also love the tune "Spell." It takes away the rhythm section and showcases very simple and gorgeous piano and vocals, for a soothing experience. Digby's album finishes with her rendition of Rihanna's smash hit, "Umbrella."  I've always had a weakness for acoustic covers, and Digby does a great job of incorporating key elements of the original while making it her own.

While I think this is a solid pop record, some people may find this album too bubblegum, or candy-like (unintentional, yet appropriate, reference to Mandy Moore's 2005 compilation). But in all honesty, who doesn't enjoy a sweet aftertaste? I know I do. Go listen to tracks from this delight on Digby's MySpace. Buy it. Own it. Love it.

Before you do anything else, please, come cry with me:

A video of "Miss Invisible."

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/mariedigby

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/mariedigby

Marié's remaining US Tour Dates:

June, 1 2008 07:00 PM - The Norva 

Norfolk, Virginia 

June, 2 2008 06:00 PM - The National
Richmond, Virginia

June, 4 2008 06:00 PM - Mercy Lounge
Nashville, Tennessee

June, 5 2008 07:00 PM - Vinyl
Atlanta, Georgia

June, 6 2008 08:30 PM - Jack Rabbits
Jacksonville, Florida

June, 8 2008 07:00 PM - The Social
Orlando, Florida

June, 9 2008 08:00 PM - Orpheum
Tampa, Florida

June, 11 2008 07:00 PM - WorkPlay Theatre
Birmingham, Alabama

June, 12 2008 08:00 PM - Parish at House of Blue
New Orleans, Louisiana

June, 14 2008 08:00 PM - Palladium Ballroom
Dallas, Texas

June, 15 2008 08:00 PM - Meridian Red Room

Houston, Texas

June, 18 2008 08:00 PM - Martini Ranch
Scottsdale, Arizona

June, 19 2008 08:00 PM - Soma (Sidestage)
San Diego, California

June, 20 2008 09:00 PM - El Rey
Los Angeles, California

June, 21 2008 08:00 PM - Glass House
Ponomo, California

June, 22 2008 08:00 PM - Golden Gate Park
San Fransisco, California

June, 23 2008 08:00 PM - The Boardwalk
Orangevale, California 

June, 25 2008 08:00 PM - Big Easy
Boise, Idaho

June, 26 2008 08:00 PM - Big Dipper
Spokane, Washington

June, 27 2008 08:00 PM - Neumo’s
Seattle, Washington

June, 28 2008 08:00 PM - Hawthorne Theatre
Portland, Oregon 

June, 30 2008 08:00 PM - Club Sound
Salt Lake City, Utah

July, 1 2008 08:00 PM - Epic (w/Gavin Degraw)
Minneapolis, Minnesota

July, 2 2008 08:00 PM - Rialto Theatre (w/Gavin Degraw)
Joliet, Illinois

July, 6 2008 08:00 PM - Magic City Music Hall (w/Gavin Degraw)
Johnson City, New York

July, 8 2008 08:00 PM - Crocodile Rock (w/Gavin Degraw)
Allentown, Pennsylvania

July, 9 2008 08:00 PM - Carnegie Music Hall (w/ Gavin Degraw)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 

July, 11 2008 08:00 PM - TBD
Cleveland, Ohio

July, 16 2008 08:00 PM - Bogarts (w/ Gavin Degraw)
Cincinnati, Ohio 

July, 17 2008 08:00 PM - WZPL Radio Show
Indianapolis, Indiana

July, 22 2008 08:00 PM - Club 101 (w/ Gavin Degraw)
El Paso, Texas

July, 24 2008 08:00 PM - Six Flags Fiesta Texas (w/ Gavin Degraw)
San Antonio, Texas

July, 25 2008 08:00 PM - Lakewood Theatre (w/ Gavin Degraw)
Dallas, Texas

July, 27 2008 08:00 PM - Warehouse Live (w/ Gavin Degraw)
Houston, Texas

July, 29 2008 08:00 PM - TBD (w/ Gavin Degraw)
New Orleans, Louisiana

July, 31 2008 08:00 PM - TBD (w/ Gavin Degraw)
Atlanta, Georgia

August, 1 2008 08:00 PM - The National (w/ Gavin Degraw)
Richmond, Virginia

The official music video for "Say It Again":

Unfold with Marié Digby.