Happy? Go Lucky: Melissa Etheridge's joy over her love life shines through just about every track on her latest CD.Lucky * Melissa Etheridge * Island From the opening line, "I want to see how lucky Lucky can be," the tone of Melissa Etheridge's eighth and arguably most radio-friendly studio album is set: It's hopeful, upbeat, and downright happy, in sharp contrast to Skin, her last album which reflected her bitter breakup with Julie Cypher Julie Cypher, born August 24, 1964 in Wichita, Kansas, is best known as the former partner of Melissa Etheridge. Cypher attended the University of Texas at Austin. She married the actor Lou Diamond Phillips in 1986. , her partner of 12 years. But does "happy" work for the rocker who's made a career of exploring the darker sides of her heart and soul? Remarkably, yes. While there are a few tracks that remain committed to the shadowy realm of insecurity and doubt ("Mercy" and "Will You Still Love Me"), the majority of Lucky passionately pays tribute to her new relationship with L Word star Tammy Lynn Michaels Tammy Lynn Michaels (born Tammy Lynn Doring November 26, 1974, in Lafayette, Indiana), also known by the surname Etheridge after exchanging vows with Melissa Etheridge,[1] is an American actress. (whose nickname for Etheridge is, surprise, "Lucky"). Songs range from romantic ("This Moment") to playful ("Kiss Me") and flirtatious flir·ta·tious adj. 1. Given to flirting. 2. Full of playful allure: a flirtatious glance. flir·ta ("If You Want To"), with the spunky spunk·y adj. spunk·i·er, spunk·i·est Informal Spirited; plucky. spunk  i·ly adv. album centerpiece, "Secret Agent"--which taunts "All the boys want to know if she's got something to hide / All the girls are relieved she's working for the other side"--being by far the most cheeky. And despite sweeping relationship declarations like "When You Find the One," Etheridge does step out of her interpersonal tunnel vision tunnel visionn. Vision in which the visual field is severely constricted. tunnel vision, n a defect in sight in which a great reduction occurs in the peripheral field of vision, as if one is looking through to make some more universal political statements. "Tuesday Morning" touches on the timely issue of gay marriage via a tribute to gay 9/11 hero Mark Bingham, and the blistering hard-rock jam session "Giant" is nothing short of a gay pride anthem. Musically, the album's slick production sheen may give pause to some on first listen, but subsequent twirls will confirm its strength as a sing-along, feel-good collection of vintage Etheridge heartland rock and roll--just with smoother edges than usual. The leadoff radio single, "Breathe," takes a risk as the songwriter's first cover venture but ultimately delivers as a jangly adj. 1. like the discordant ringing of nonmusical metallic objects striking together; sounding with a jangle ; as, a custodian with a jangly set of keys s>. Adj. 1. , arm-waving, Bic-lighter-swaying--type arena rocker, while the dramatic piano ballad "Meet Me in the Dark" and funky R&B-laced "Come on Out Tonight" offer some welcome variety. In the end, Lucky showcases Etheridge at her best--an everydyke rock star hero wire wears her heart artfully on her sleeve. Only this time, that heart is happily full of love. Coble co·ble n. 1. Nautical A small flatbottom fishing boat with a lugsail on a raking mast. 2. Scots A kind of flatbottom rowboat. is a freelance writer who pens the self-syndicated music column Stereo Homo. |
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