Modern Country and Folk Find Victory on Victoria Day

Melissa McClelland's a Little Bit Country, I’m A Little Bit Rock ‘n Roll.

Melissa McClelland
Victoria Day
Release Date: Apr 7, 2009

Though I’d never heard of Melissa McClelland before being given Victoria Day to review, I, being the sometimes overly conclusive person I am, took one look at the cute singer/songwriter on the album cover and was convinced that this would be like a new Tegan and Sara record, maybe even with a little touch of Joanna Newsom; Alas, it’s this undeserved confident mentality that led me to being slack-jawed with surprise after the first couple tracks.  Like Tegan and Sara this Canadian cutie is not.  From the Bluegrass twang of “Glenrio” to the beautiful ballad, complete with orchestral strings, that is “Segovia,” Victoria Day is all over the place musically. 

Well start this review where it all started for me, unsurprisingly at the first track of the album, “A Girl Can Dream.”  This song is a taste of alt-country, complete with the saloon piano, a twanging guitar and old timey pitter-patter percussion.  While being almost the polar opposite of what I was expecting, I was pleasantly surprised by her melodic voice and lyrical creativity. The following track, “Glenrio” continues with this bluegrass sound.  With heavier guitar parts than “A Girl Can Dream,” this song starts to build things up with more attitude heavy lyrics and even a slide guitar to add some soul to things. 

“Segovia” is and interesting, more heartfelt song than the ones prior.  It sounds a bit like Joanna Newsom (Ha! I wasn’t 100% percent wrong, just 95% or so).  It really is a beautiful piece however, from the gently piano movements to the string arrangement that joins midway through the song.  Melissa’s vocal performance in this track is pristine and her ability to tell a story through her words is ever appreciated.   

“God Loves Me” is my favorite song on Victoria Day.  The song starts like a feisty folk song, her voice only accompanied by soft drumming and a low mixed bass and some keen brass licks.  By the time the guitar comes in, it’s ready to wail, and it does just that, with the horns providing a powerful backdrop to build off.  I thought this song was just about perfect, having a dark folk sound to it, but then it got even better!  The guitar and Rhodes playing by her hubby Luke Doucet, along with the mean horns and a dash of organ at the end of the song was truly awe-inspiring.   

Nearing the end of her record, “Seasoned Lovers” is just as sweet as it is relaxing.  “Oh my quiet little town/ so genetic and familiar/ just like our love… Beneath the trees/ talk about the weather/ on this empty street/ there’s nothing left to discover/ just like our love.” Talking about love in a small town, with all kinds of sarcasm and playful quotes, it’s a wonderful little duet featuring Ron Sexmith.  “Brakes,” the following track is just as touching, but coming from the other side of the spectrum.  With its central focus on loneliness, it’s a very relatable and easygoing song.    

“The album ends with the song “Money Shot.”  The album credits the writing of this song to JD Ormond, regardless, it flows seamlessly with the rest of the album.  It isn’t, however, a very strong way to end the album.  The same could be said about the placement of other songs on Victoria Day as well.  The Beginning of the album in particular seemed a little out of place. 

While the bulk of this album obviously draws influence from 50’s and 60’s folk and country music, it seems as though the best songs here were the ones that strayed away from that style.  It may just be my lack a zeal for country music speaking here, but it really does seem as though the catchiest and best-constructed songs were tracks like “Segovia” and “Seasoned Lovers.” While the country style songs adorning most of the album weren’t my favorite, they were far from poorly written songs.  Though I could appreciate a little less twang, Victoria Day is a solid album and worthy of a listen.