Now Playing: Mandy Moore

By Hank Shteamer Thu Apr 30 2009

Recent reports suggest that we should expect to hear a subtle black-metal influence creeping in on upcoming Mandy Moore releases—courtesy of new hubby Ryan Adams—but the erstwhile teenybopper's new one, Amanda Leigh (out May 26), sounds like good, old-fashioned pop to us. As you can hear from the sample track below, there's a certain staginess to Moore's delivery. But we're really impressed with how at home she sounds within a bittersweet singer-songwriter vibe. (Maybe that's not so surprising given that her 2003 album, Coverage, contained versions of songs by Carole King, Elton John and Cat Stevens.) To us, "Pocket Philosopher," which teeters from melancholy to playful, hints at an imaginary collaboration between Ben Folds and Joni Mitchell. If the track couldn't possibly live up to that description, we still bet it'll make you think twice about labeling this starlet a hopeless musical lightweight.