When I saw the cover of Saving Jane's album with its title Girl Next Door as well as a photo of the band members who try hard to look rock 'n' roll in the middle of the forest—damn one of them actually kinda looks like me but I won't tell you which one—, I assumed I was stuck with another Avril Lavigne/Ashley Simpson wannabee. But the truth is that singer Marti Dodson has a strong voice and can be convincing—"Who's Cryin Now", the Alanis Morrisette-like "Girl Next Door" and the ballad "Ordinary" when she doesn't sound too Avrilish, like in "Happy". My favorite track here is actually the acappella untitled track that closes the album.

Girl Next Door is filled with memorable choruses, this honest production oscillates between acoustic and soft rock sounds—not meant as in "soft rock". With its heartfelt lyrics and nice feel, however, I'm not sure it will transcend an audience beyond 17 year-old girls living in some remote town the middle of the country. To give you an idea, Saving Jane would certainly fit well on a bill featuring a band like Eisley.

  Ed Dantes


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