For the last of three new vocal releases from Broadway Records, I’ve been listening to Alexis Michelle’s Lovefool. A unique album, and one that I was "yeah ok" about. I tried to review it without any preconceptions of what I would find. For those of you who don’t know Alexis Michelle, she was the unabashed Broadway queen of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 9.

I was quite surprised and intrigues at the track listing - a surprising assortment of pop, rock and show tunes, with selections ranging from The Cardigans, to Blondie, to Cy Coleman, so not your normal drag fare. And it’s an interesting listen. I was a little disappointed at the first few tracks on the album - not because they were bad, but I would have liked a bigger opening.

The wonderful Carole King track 'Beautiful' is delivered well, and it’s great to have a full sound coming from a band, and not just a piano and rhythm section. In fact, the second half of the album was far more enjoyable to me than the first.

'Call Me’ was a number I played more than once, which is strange for a pop track, but it’s a great version. I’m a big Cy Coleman fan, so another track on a new release from City Of Angles is always welcomed, so I really liked 'You Can Always Count On Me' which really worked as a drag number (and not, surprisingly, one I’ve heard done before). The two Sondheim numbers 'Simple' and 'Good Thing Going' were my highlight on the recording and benefit from a great vocal and lovely arrangement.

So, do like I did, and give this release a go. Your standard predictable drag album it isn’t.

7

Ian Gude