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Sep 04, 2014 Karen O By Alee Karim

Most of us presumed that Karen O could do quite well solo. Even without the heroic backing of her poppy neo-no-wave cohorts in Yeah Yeah Yeahs, she’s always been a figure unto herself with her magnetic stage presence and insouciant personality. Crush Songs, her first solo recording on Julian Casablancas’ nascent Cult Records imprint, doesn’t defy that impression, but it doesn’t do much to bolster it either. This collection of bedroom demos recorded in 2006/2007 by Ms. O herself is, per the title, a document of crushes and although the medium fits the deeply personal message, one can’t help but read this release as a feint, or to hope that Crush Songs is but a prelude to a BIG KAREN O SOLO RECORD.

But while it’s less a painting than a promising sketchbook, these Crush Songs are still perfectly lovely sketches. O’s voice is superb and she plays for keeps throughout. However, Crush Songs’ non-existent production and truncated compositions make it less a main course and more an appetizer, albeit a delicious one. Here’s hoping Karen O is merely whetting our appetites for a proper entrée soon. (www.karenomusic.com)

Author rating: 5.5/10