Search - Jeannette Katt :: Pink Mischief

Melodic pop not without charms!

Uncle Borges | Via Lungomare 6 | 05/17/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This unpretentiously melodic and sexy pop album somehow fell through the cracks of the early 90's (post)grunge Angst: undeservedly so! It's a lovely, smart and spunky pop vocally at times even reminiscent of Kate Bush (geez, I hope she changed her last name by now?) and yet the album somehow sizzles towards the end. The first few numbers are great (When I Do Wrong I Do It So Right, Girl Noise, Can I Call You Daddy?) and then by the time you'll get to the "Adam's Got An Attitude" you'll be hoping for a change in pace. More variety.
Even if the album wears eventually down after more concentrated listening, it's still something I might come back to as one of the brighter tiny spots of the 90's musical Wastelands.
I also liked her teasing and ambigous lyrics. Really not too bad."

Doing wrong never seemed so right

Keith R. Sawyer | Arlington, MA USA | 03/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sunny, bright, fun. These adjectives might attract you to a potential mate, but in mid-1992 they were not likely to sell a major label compact disc in profitable numbers. Brooding blasts of noise had moved the underground upstream, and with leaders like Nine Inch Nails and Nirvana to guide them bands fashionably explored topics like self-loathing and blame-throwing. It was into this environment that A&M introduced Jeannette Katt's debut disc Pink Mischief.



Jeannette is a self-confident manipulator, the type that always has a stash of leftover goodwill. She's the person your rational side advises you to stay away from but is just too fun to ignore for long. Her frankness may not seem very unique in today's musical landscape, but remember, this is before Alanis' jagged little personality shifted units at a multi-platinum level. Plus, Alanis' idea of bad-girl behavior was a movie theater quickie. The situations in Jeannette's songs are often far more subtle. She'll set us up by making a big deal out missing curfew, and within three tracks cross into truly taboo territory. These decisions aren't easy.



Jeannette's lyrics don't contain any anger, tough-girl poses, or blame. Her honesty is much more convincing, and while we may have our reservations about her behavior, the attitude at least gains respect. She's not asking for sympathy, just some understanding if we can provide it. The majority of the songs on Pink Mischief set up some sort of choice for 'you,' the listener that she is directly addressing. Her arguments are persuasive, yet there's plenty of evidence to evaluate the situations yourself.



As you might have guess, this is one of my favourite albums of the 90's. On the surface these might seem like simple jangle pop songs played with professional enthusiasm behind pleasant female vocals. Sonically a mature Bangles namecheck might come to mind. Digging further into the disc reveals an understanding of this singer's personality, and it colors each song with new meaning over repeat listens. And if it affects you like it's affected me, you'll be listening for a lifetime."