Natalie Imbruglia

In her native Australia, Natalie Imbruglia reigns as a soapopera starlet; over here, she's just
the latest pop thrush who sounds kind of like Alanis. Imbruglia is a Nineties version of Patsy
Kensit or Kylie Minogue, a screen princess having a bash at pop stardom with smart pros to
help with the music part. On her album, too many cooks spoil the broth, adding rock
guitars and industrial clank beats that have nothing to do with her fey charms. B... More >

Compared to the diluted simple syrup of Swirl 360 or the teen-idol rappa-billy of Jimmy Ray, Imbruglia's modern pop is Rumours. Not only is she extraordinarily pretty without being too blatant in her babitude, she's got the brains and will to make up her own songs (and did I mention how pretty she is?). Thus she's earned our respect. But under all their state-of-the-studio-art, her competent songs are no more distinctive than the competent songs of hundreds of less pretty women. This was no stiff--RCA milked platinum and a follow-up single out of the sure shot she didn't write herself. But we should be proud that iconicity proved beyond Imbruglia's means. It's three cheers for democracy every time someone goes even a little broke underestimating the taste of the American public. (Grade: C+)