Laura Imbruglia - The Lighter Side Of... (Album)
» Laura Imbruglia at The Spectrum - September 8, 2006
» Laura Imbruglia - Hopetoun Hotel, NSW - February 10, 2007
» Josh Pyke and Bob Evans - Republic Bar and Cafe, Tas - May 12, 2006
» Laura Imbrubila - Shakes Things Up - November 3, 2006
Presenting Laura Imbruglia, your indie-rock representative from the Central Coast of New South Wales.
Chances are, if you know a thing or two about your late 90s pop, the surname already rings a bell. So, first things first: yes, she's Nat's little sis, and she's been kicking about the music scene for roughly eight years.
If you ask me, it’s cool to see that music plays such a big part in their family. But, to address those curious few, don't even think about lumping them together. The best thing to do is just put all those pre-conceptions you've formed aside, and embrace everything that is Laura Imbruglia.
The Lighter Side Of... follows her self-titled debut album, released four years earlier. So, sure, it’s been a while – but her sophomore release compensates fans for their patience almost immediately.
The album's packaging is a thorough homage to Mad Magazine, complete with Imbruglia herself as a caricature that recalls Mad's mascot, Alfred E. Neuman.
The booklet continues the trend, and anyone who's familiar with the magazine will appreciate the effort that's gone into recreating it here: the art, Spy Vs Spy, and even a fold-in feature alongside excerpts of Imbruglia's lyrics.
But anyway, the music. As with her debut, The Lighter Side Of... often takes cues from country and folk genres, an entirely stripped-back approach featuring for much of the record.
The prevalence of these sounds provides the backdrop for the exploitation of two self-proclaimed sides of Imbruglia: one, a relentless smart-arse, and the other affected by angry heartache.
Those familiar with her work identify this as her distinct style, and fans will embrace it whole-heartedly. These themes lay the basis for more of Imbruglia's fascinating wit, her writing charming and endearing in its honesty.
'The Meaning Of The Word' maps out an epiphany in romance, whilst 'I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend' pledges, in no uncertain terms: “I want to be your girlfriend / As soon as you leave your girlfriend, will you be mine?”
Her quirky observations and expressions – for example, “Number one on my list of lows / is watching you shrink in your clothes”, from the dark 'When It All Falls Apart (And It Will)' - appear at the forefront of that which is so pleasing and curious about this album. It incorporates much of the captivating songwriting that was such a successful staple of her debut.
Speaking of her debut, however, there is at least one significant difference between it and The Lighter Side Of... this follow-up has completely disposed of its predecessor’s edge.
In fact, the title puts it better than I can. This really is the lighter side of Laura Imbruglia, typified by the use of an acoustic guitar and a mellow motif throughout, whereas her debut relished in its joyous spirit – it had spunk, it had attitude, and it had jangly guitars and jaunty rythyms that, coupled with Imbruglia's outlook, became potent stuff.
Single 'Pauly' attempts to recapture this essence, but at just over two minutes, it leaves you wanting more. Each track from The Lighter Side Of... never has too much going on at the one time. This might strengthen its content to some degree, but it has the potential to make the listening experience monotonous.
That's not to say all is lost. If anything, The Lighter Side Of... should be interpreted as an album to compliment all that's come before in Imbruglia's career, or even just a refreshing, laidback change.
It all depends on what you prefer. The music may have lost a little of its whimsy this time round, but this is still undeniably Laura Imbruglia, and for that reason, it’s worth checking out.
