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Mar 05, 2010 Holly Miranda By Jillian Mapes

On her debut solo album, soul-pop singer/songwriter and former Jealous Girlfriends vocalist Holly Miranda is a reflection of the company she keeps. But that’s not to say she rides coattails. Her point of view shines on The Magician’s Private Library, but through the lens of TV on the Radio’s Dave Sitek, who served as producer.

Sitek’s influence is clear, from the New Wave synths of “High Tide” to the punctuated brass touches on album opener “Forest Green Oh Forest Green,” both of which channel TV on the Radio. The most obvious, however, is “Slow Burn Treason,” Miranda’s hauntingly atmospheric duet with TV on the Radio vocalist Kyp Malone. Replace Miranda’s vocals with Malone’s, and the song could easily fit in on the next TV on the Radio album.

At the same time, Miranda has a dark, hazy style all her own. She is constantly compared to Cat Power, who, despite matching Miranda’s smokey vocal quality, would never pony up to her instrumental variety. Instead, there is a true sense of Detroit musical history in The Magician’s Private Library, with apparent nods to Motown’s legacy within Miranda’s own home turf, despite her Brooklyn address these days. This shines through most clearly on the album’s standout track, “Joints.” The song starts off shyly, with subdued vocals and a dreamy guitar, soon swelling magnificently with sing-along-worthy coos and blazing brass.

Brooklyn circa 2010 could very well be considered a musical Mecca 20 or 30 years down the road. Thinking back wistfully, we’ll remember seeing indie rock hot-shots while they were still playing to double-digit crowds at skuzzy bars in Williamsburg. While Brooklynite Holly Miranda is barely past her skuzzy bar phase, she proves she has the potential to be a certified Big Deal on The Magician’s Private Library. (www.hollymiranda.com)

Author rating: 8/10