One of those albums that critics rave about while the public ignores, "Miss America" was largely recorded in 1984 and shelved until 1988. Even then, it was released with minimal promotion and left to fall out of print for years. The procedure was so traumatic for Canadian songstress Mary Margaret O'Hara that she never made another record - unless you count the soundtrack of insignificant Canadian romantic comedy Apartment Hunting. The reasons for the album's commercial failure aren't evident to my ears: Sure, it's not easy listening but neither are, say, Kate Bush or Tori Amos - and they have hits! O' Hara's style might be described as folk pop, with a hint of jazz. Her voice is a crystal-clear soprano with a tendency of flying away into vocal acrobatics. On some occasions she reminds me of Patsy Cline ("To Cry About", "Dear Darling" and "Help Me Lift You Up") or Billie Holiday ("Keeping You In Mind", "You Will Be Loved Again") but, despite the obvious country and jazz influences, this is original and diverse music. On "The Year In Song" her performance is intense, almost demented, while the band settles in an almost Zeppelin-ish groove. "Body's In Trouble" reminds me of confessional Marianne Faithful circa Broken English - despite their voices being as different as it gets. "A New Day" is poppier and absolutely radiant, like Van Morrison in one of his good days. "When You Know Why You're Happy" is another sunny song, while "My Friends Have" is the rocking-est of the bunch and "Not Be Alright" has some nice percussion that reminds me of Peter Gabriel's experiments with world music. Challenging but absolutely beautiful music, all around. Tell me if I'm exaggerating, but I'm convinced it's the work of a genious. That she never recorded a follow-up is infinately frustrating and disappointing. Time and time again, albums overlooked at their time are being labeled hidden treasures, to be revered by a few collectors and fellow artists (This Mortal Coil paid their respects by covering "Help Me Lift You Up"). Well, here you have it - the archetypal hidden treasure album!
***** for The Year In Song, Body's In Trouble, A New Day, My Friends Have
**** for Help Me Lift You Up, Keeping You In Mind, Not Be Alright, You Will Be Loved Again
*** for To Cry About, Dear Darling, When You Know Why You're Happy
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