ALBUM REVIEWS

Eliza Doolittle 4 TRACK EP PARLOPHONE 30.11.09 @www.vanguard-online.co.uk Listen to the eponymous debut EP of Eliza Doolittle and you’ll instantly fight the urge to name the artistes she sounds like, as she fits into the same (albeit broad) genre of quirky solo female that attacked the charts in 2009. Lily Allen comes instantly to mind, and as the four tracks show themselves, with the small changes in style that Doolittle chooses, you begin to see elements of Pixie Lott, Florence + The Machine, Paloma Faith, La Roux and Little Boots… all of which have got there before her. “Rollerblades” and “Police Car” are both reminiscent of Allen’s debut, “LDN” in that they’re chilled-out summer tunes, seemingly carefree, but with a hint of cynicism hidden in some of the lyrics. The chorus to the former is catchy as hell though. “Money Box” has a slightly unsettling – but undeniably fun – tune, but you have to wonder what it’s going on about. Is it a comment on the pleasure of shunning today’s capitalist society? Or a story about a girl sponging off a suitor? Fourth track “Go Home” has a melody that I recognise, but can’t quite but my finger on. When the chorus kicks in, it still follows in the same vein as its fellows, but at least changes tempo – slightly. It would be unfair to say I dislike this EP. There’s something about Eliza Doolittle that’s fun and clever; it’s just a shame that it’s the same thing that’s been done already this year. A lot. And no matter how popular Lily Allen becomes, she’ll never need someone to sound quite this much like her. Simon Middleyard www.elizadoolittle.com Email Links & Comments to the editor Check the latest album releases