Amie Miriello’s debut album, I Came Around, is the first release on Jive/Zomba imprint Bellasonic. In some ways, there are lots of different forces at work, but consider that Miriello’s music most immediately sounds like Alanis Morissette or Nelly Furtado. Add to that production help from Rob Wells (Backstreet Boys), David Hodges of Evanescence and Mitch Allan of SR-71, and this is radio magic waiting to happen. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Miriello has a dynamic voice, despite the fact that she tends to overdo things at times. The best tracks are the catchy opening title track and the second song “Pictures,” the latter of which sounds like Morissette or another ‘90s popster, Chantal Kreviazuk. And the final track, the R&B-tinged power ballad “Hey,” is also decent. But in between, parts of the album tend to grate on the eardrums. In particular, the vocal acrobatics Miriello attempts on “Beauty of Goodbye” and “Mother Cries Wolf” border on annoying. Taken as a whole, though, this debut is better than average and worth checking out, especially if Top 40 or alt-pop are your cup of tea. (LABEL: Bellasonic)
