Amie Miriello Issue #37

I Came Around (Jive/Zomba)

By Callye Morrissey
Published: September 1st, 2008 | 4:41pm

If super-polished pop is what you’re about, then Amie Miriello is the newest girl on the block for you. As the former lead singer for the pop quartet Dirtie Blonde, Miriello has ditched the blonde locks and most of the boys in her former band to pursue the solo dream. While former band mate Jay Dmuchowski co-wrote and contributed guitar to the album, it’s all about Miriello this time around.

Miriello has a voice similar to Pink and Alanis Morissette and backed by pop producers Rob Wells (Backstreet Boys) and David Hodges (Evanescence). While some of the tracks such as “Snow” are beautiful ballads with striking vocals, it is impossible to ignore the ultra glossy production on tracks such as “Grey” and “I Came Around.” Such slick production is partly due to Miriello’s relationship with A&R veteran Teresa Labarbera Whites. Whites — who is responsible for developing the careers of artists such as Destiny’s Child and Jessica Simpson — has chosen Miriello’s debut as the first release to Jive/Zomba label imprint Bellasonic.

Miriello has vocal talent, but if she’s looking to be more than a pretty face with a decent voice, she needs to rethink her career path. The real power of Miriello’s talent comes from watching her without all the unneeded production. A prime example is seen on a video floating around on the Internet of Miriello covering the Smashing Pumpkins ballad “Disarm.” It is a goose bump-inducing experience and proves that there is genuine talent lurking underneath the high-gloss veneer. Make no mistake, I Came Around has the power to make Miriello a mainstream pop princess — but it’s unlikely to earn her a dedicated fan base.

—