Sirens... Songs of the Silver Screen

Album Review

When critics analyzed the neo-swing movement of the 1990s, the question on their minds was, "Why a revival of 1940s music, and why now?" Some argued that the movement was part of a revolt against political correctness, while others insisted that '90s youth were yearning for fun, escapist music at a time when a lot of music was angry, angst-ridden, and pessimistic. Another argument asserted that '90s youth were longing for music with some glamour — if so, Quinn Lemley provides plenty of it on her debut album, Sirens...Songs of the Silver Screen. This cabaret/swing/pop effort is a tribute to the glamour goddesses of Hollywood's classic era, and Lemley has a lot of fun celebrating such stars as Marlene Dietrich, Bette Davis, and Greta Garbo. Lemley acknowledges the wholesome girl-next-door types like Betty Grable and Doris Day, as well as sex sirens like Rita Hayworth (whom she has modeled her redhead vixen image after), Marilyn Monroe, and Julie London, whom she salutes on "Cry Me a River." In contrast to the torchy qualities of London's hit version from 1955, Lemley's approach to the Arthur Hamilton ballad comes across as very tongue in cheek, as does the whole album, in fact. Thankfully, Lemley has a lot of talent to back up her sexy image — her visit to the '30s, '40s, and '50s is consistently entertaining.