Eleni Mandell - Afternoon

Genre folk Publisher Zedtone Records External Links Eleni Mandell Zetone Records

I've postponed writing this review for weeks now. Initially, my procrastination stemmed from the fact that I had never written a review before, and I wasn't too certain I wanted any part of writing one now. Convinced that it might be fun, this concern soon passed like an over ripe kidney stone and I got down to the business of giving the Eleni Mandell's Afternoon a serious listen. And then another. And then another. Each time hoping to find something more than the last, and then wondering why I didn't.

With her connection to Chuck E. Weiss (and the resulting Tom Waits/Rickie Jones association), Eleni Mandell certainly has a bio that peaks my interest. I have to admit to having never heard her previous albums, so I can't speak to how Afternoon compares to them or how her music has progressed over the years. What I can say, is this album leaves me feeling frustrated. Teased actually. Musically, I enjoy it quite a bit. The title track, "County Line" and "Let's Drive Away" are all jaunty little numbers. "Can't You See I'm Soulful" is just that. "Fall Away" displays an almost Polynesian, tropical flair. Joshua Grange's organ pops up in appropriate spots throughout the album, lending a mournful depth to songs like "I've Been Fooled," and the rest of the album features some solid playing.

So what's the problem, then? I've realized it comes down to Eleni's singing. It simply isn't strong enough. I couldn't help but wonder what some of these songs might sound like if someone else were singing them. Someone like Neko Case or Patti Griffin. Someone who could take these country feelings and belt them out. Take the lead-off track, "American Boy." This song yearns to be someone's torch song. Unfortunately, Eleni sings it like the homely girl from that film, "A League of Their Own" - flat and uninspired. There are a few songs where Eleni delivers the vocals, most notably the aforementioned "Can't You See I'm Soulful"and the rocking "Easy On Your Way Out," which is probably my favorite tune on the disk. Unfortunately, these are the exceptions, not the rule.