Silver Landings/ Mandy Moore, pop

By Narendra Kusnur

Album: Silver Landings
Artiste: Mandy Moore
Genre: Pop
Label: Verve Forecast
Rating: ****

At the turn of the century, plenty of expectations were pinned on American teenager Mandy Moore, with the industry placing her on a platform similar to Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson and Christina Aguilera. Her career had a promising start, with ‘Candy’ becoming a chartbuster, and Moore tried her hand in acting too. But somewhere things fizzled out, and an abusive relationship with singer Ryan Adams made matters worse.

Just when the world felt she was a forgotten dream, Moore has bounced back. Coming after a decade of oblivion, her album Silver Landings also proves her maturity as a singer, as the 35-year-old expresses emotions that may be pent-up though not blatantly resentful.

The sound has been influenced by Californian pop and soft rock, with some country elements thrown in. At times, one senses a Fleetwood Mac flavour, or more specifically a Stevie Nicks touch, as the songs have appropriately-placed, melodic guitars and catchy hooks.

Though Moore is consistent throughout – there are no bad portions here – some of the songs  are clear winners. ‘Fifteen’ is a lookback on her early days, and she sings of “having no regrets, with a few exceptions”. On the intense ‘Forgiveness’, she sings, “Forgiveness is not a favour, sorry is just a word”.

With contributions by producer Mike Viola and Moore’s husband Taylor Goldsmith on songwriting, the album begins with a few uptempo songs but later keeps varying the pace. ‘I'd Rather Lose’ and ‘Save A Little For Yourself’ are in the pop-rock mould, with the former going, “If the only way to win is by breaking all the rules, I'd rather lose”. Other gems include the marvellously orchestrated ‘When I Wasn't Watching’ and the introspective and nostalgic ‘Stories Reminding Myself Of Me’.

The best thing about this 10-song collection is that despite the upheavals in her life, Moore doesn’t carry any old baggage. On the concluding title track, she sings, “I’m looking for silver landings.” She’s surely got there with terrific comeback.