Album Reviews

Marié Digby is just one of the many to cover Rihanna's ubiquitous romp, "Umbrella" [watch video here]. Her version, acoustic and far less bombastic than the original, became a YouTube sensation last summer, suddenly garnering the 25-year-old brunette a legion of rabid listeners all across the world. Now, nearly a year later and three years in the making (she had a record deal prior to her Internet popularity), her first full-length studio album, Unfold, has unfurled. It's a collection of 12 tracks, including the one with the ‘ellas. And it's clearly made for the fans that gobbled up that single.

Backed by a playful punch of guitars, Digby's voice soars in the way that you've come to expect from today's sweet singer-songwriter gals. Lead track, "Fool", is a nice jump off, raucous and primed for Top 40 radio. Next, "Better Off Alone" finds Digby brightly dumping herself ("I'm really just a loser who's getting in your way") over some piano work reminiscent of early Vanessa Carlton. It's catchy, but by the introduction of the third track, lead single "Say It Again", an undeniable flaw becomes apparent: All these songs sound too similar. Look further at "Voice On the Radio" and "Beauty In Walking Away" for proof. Even when Digby slows it down (the overly melodramatic "Miss Invisible") or speeds it up ("Girlfriend"), nothing stands out. Unfold simply unravels.

Best described as a neo-Michelle Branch, there's no denying that Digby's voice can both cut and caress over a pop-rock background, but with the exception of the title track, which takes a trip-hop-lite beat and weaves it into a lush and smoky rock barnburner, Digby plays it safe and inside-the-box. Too bad. Because after so much time, you'd have expected this one to unfold differently.

—Matt Allard
05.07.08