After scoring no less than four American Top 10 hits from her debut album, Move to This, British singer
Cathy Dennis followed up with a fine second album,
Into the Skyline, which unfortunately fell into the dreaded "sophomore slump" category, perhaps because it treaded similar musical waters as her debut. As a result, her third and best album never saw a release in the United States.
Am I the Kinda Girl was released during the peak of the 1990s grunge era, resulting in an album much more earthy and melancholy than her two previous dance-oriented records. This album, in fact, could very well be classified as a rock/pop album with no real dance cuts. "Am I the kinda girl that could be your boyfriend?" is the question she asks on the album's title track, and that sets the lyrical tone for the album. The lyrics are ripe with drug references and sexual innuendoes (without resorting to foul language), yet the songs possess a definite feeling of sadness. The ballads resonate with a 1960s sound, and the results are beautiful. "When Dreams Turn to Dust," "Stupid Fool." and "The Date" are among the album's best songs, and they are sung so earnestly they almost sound tearful. She also provides a great cover of
the Kinks' "Waterloo Sunset." The upbeat songs, namely "Homing the Rocket" and "That Is Why You Love Me" are no less engaging. This is a solid, sincerely delivered album that unfortunately never received the exposure it was due. ~ Jose F. Promis