Amy Correia
Carnival Love
Capital
Release Date: September, 2000
Quirky and off-center, Amy Correia, her ukulele, and her mandolin will pull you in. Correia's voice, half-raspy and half-little girl [like a sweeter sounding Lydia Lunch, Queen of Siam], delivers highly reflective lyrical stories, and poetic semi-spoken verses. The overall vibe from Carnival Love is a bittersweet thoughtfulness. Quintessential Correia tracks from Carnival Love include, "Gin," "Starfishin," "Yours," and "Carnival Love."
It's always encouraging to watch an artist rise from their local scene gaining more widespread attention. But growth can be awkward when not organic. Correia's career included many years playing the the small club scene in NYC. Much of her lyrics are drawn from the gritty experiences of living in NYC, from the smells in Chinatown to the bridges, skyscrapers and seas of faces. It is too early to tell how the move to LA and increasing pressure to fit into a mainstream format might impact on her music.
Unfortunately, even with the growth of the female singers on Top 40 radio, Correia's rather unique style may not be radio-ready. She just isn't a Sarah McLaughlin or a Jewel, but that's cool by us.
-- Cynthia Wang
yesmademoiselle@hotmail.com
