Kiss Me There

Album Review

New York singer/songwriter Jo Davidson bridges personal trials and tribulations and a charming confidence on her debut Kiss Me There. Recorded in her own studio and released via Davidson's independent publishing company, Fragile Tough Girl Records, Davidson defines a feminine stance without fierce criticism against society and stereotypes. She stays close to her own experiences, placating delicate piano work with heartfelt songs about adult maturation and transition. She makes sense of her own confusion quite nicely and select tracks such as "Fragile Tough Girl" and "Shampoo Boy" are playfully intricate with Davidson's airy, yet accented voice. "I Don't Dance" prances with a sleazy slide, yet Davidson's vulnerability is sucked into the wrong situation. Simplistic acoustics and fragmented drum beats cast the album's overall composition, but the honesty of Davidson's songwriting stands alone. Her disgust for ill social behavior - "Mental Pollution" - and internal spiritual apprehension - "All the World's Religions" depict a wishful heart. Jo Davidson has a purity similar to the likes of Heather Nova and Jewel, but an intelligence all her own. Kiss Me There showcases a genuine talent and an artist who's growing into her own - as a female and as a singer.