Saving Jane's first album since they broke into the pop top 40 with the average girl anthem "Girl Next Door" is a pop-rock diamond in the rough. Due to a falling out with major label Universal, One Girl Revolution is being promoted through indie label channels, and, unfortunately, is likely to get lost in the shuffle. For those who do seek it out, the lyrics of lead vocalist Marti Dodson are likely to resonate powerfully, particularly for women, with their real world experience. It's an album that goes down easy the first time and picks up meaning with repeated listening.
A Big Dose of Female Realism
Those who became captivated by Saving Jane after "Girl Next Door" will not be disappointed with One Girl Revolution. The title song takes the newly identified "girls next door" forward to live for themselves in a real world where "lipstick doesn't make you a dumb chick." Many of the other songs crackle with support for female independence in a world of nicotine, alcohol, and self-destructive men. However, "Say Please" acknowledges how a demonstration of true emotion from the opposite sex can be a powerful first step in reconciliation. The world of Saving Jane is clearly one with all of the complexities of real life.
Firmly in Pop-Rock Territory
Moving away from some of the band's acoustic focus in the past, One Girl Revolution is firmly rooted in plugged-in pop-rock. Unfortunately, it is a genre that seems to get lost in a pop marketplace increasingly dominated by teen-oriented punk pop on one side and adult MOR sounds on the other. However, if you are a listener who likes hook-filled songs straight up with guitar, this is your album.
Top Tracks on 'One Girl Revolution'
- What I Didn't Say
- One Girl Revolution
- Nicotine
- Say Please
Lost in the Shuffle?
In nearly a month of release, Saving Jane's One Girl Revolution has failed to make an impact on the Billboard 200 album chart. Without a major label push, it is easy for a straightforward, unassuming album like this to get lost in the crowd. However, if you've read this far, head out to your record store or over to your favorite online music retailer and purchase this resonant set of songs. Pop-rock fans will not be disappointed.
