That Day
Sun 18 November
Natalie Imbriglia
Way back in the emotional mess that was 1997, Beth from Neighbours was still a popular star. She reverted to her unwieldly real name, and released a record. That was Torn, it sold a million and spent a month at #1. The album, Left of the Middle shifted well, and yielded three more singles. Since then, though, all has been quiet from the Aussie songstress.
Until now, that is. That Day is the first single from her second album, White Lilies Island, and starts with a plangent, discordant guitar riff. It's totally unlike anything we heard on the debut.
Then, with an audible sigh, in come the vocals, and we're swept away on a breakneck journey where the scenery is far more important than the destination. There's a veritable torrent of verbiage, none of it wasted, every syllable has lyrical content, and many sound like art, too.
It's supposed to be like this.
Is Natalie trying to be the new Alanis Morissette, putting down a stream of consciousness that lasts two full minutes without really drawing breath? Very possibly, but the world is big enough for another one from that stable. The instrumental break comes as sharp relief, showing the power in Imbruglia's vocal delivery when it returns.
It's already here and it's absolutely perfect.
Perhaps there was some inspiration from Fiona Apple, and her 190 word album title, When The Pawn... Whatever, this is the breath of fresh air that proves Imbruglia's talent. In a world where Kylie can re-tread the same three songs and make a fifteen year career, it's refreshing to find someone who can craft a perfect pop song.