"Smoke Like Perfume " by Michelle Cross

a Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

Michelle Cross was one of the acts that I discovered though the now defunct site mp3.com. It's nice to hear that she's still around and that her album's come out.

She did remind me of Tori Amos then and she does now too.

There's a similar emotional honesty and neat piano playing. "Better Girl" has an almost disco sound while still sounding pretty angry.

"You got me swimming in circles, got me chasing my tail.
You got me vowing my first-born to the devil"

….she sings to a potential beau. Her piano playing is dynamic and tight.

"Desire" has her singing "My desire is a thousand birds on fire" which is very Tori.

"Fast in Love" is superbly catchy and evocative. Cross is very deft with her keys. I defy anyone to hear this and not sing along.

The aggressive and addictive "Rubber Skirt" is another standout.

This is a fantastic record.

Posted on June 15, 2004

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