Band : Kerli

Album Title : Love Is Dead

Label : Island Records

Distributor : Universal Records

Release Date : 03/02/2009

Release : CD

From a land far away arrives a little gothic girl that want to conquer the world with a mix of pop, rock and gothic atmosphere. Nobody asked for a mix of Björk, Natasha Bedingfield and Evanescence's Amy Lee, but that's what Kerli from Estonia offers. Her debut album, “Love Is Dead”, is an odd blend of influences, but these songs have enough quirks and enough polish to be mainstream and strange at the same time. She brings a bewitching mix of light and shade to her music. The best single "Walking on Air" is a fine example of her spooky yet uplifting sound. Her slight Estonian accent adds a subtle otherness as childlike, whispery backing vocals that sound like they come from singing dolls hover over skittering break beats. It’s a surprisingly catchy song. Another good song "Love Is Dead" sounds like Amy Lee and "The Creationist" is a nice song for on the dance floor. Those first three tracks are the album's best and they display enough diversity and musical savvy. Unfortunately, songs like the over-the-top "Creepshow" take the living gothic doll imagery of the album's artwork a little too far. And the plodding "Butterfly Cry" doesn't work lyrically, musically or vocally. It would be tempting to dismiss Kerli as just another Estonian pop singer trying to breakthrough in the whole world. But by her first attempt she knows how to keep everybody’s attention.

75/100

Guido Claes.