Glad I went to a Multiply site I bookmarked, where some downloads are up and available for free. I was able to download Mandy Moore's new album, Amanda Leigh.

Amanda Leigh is Moore's first and middle name, respectively. The album is a collaboration with Mike Viola: songwriter, singer, pianist, and guitarist.

Mandy Moore talks about her new album in her website. She says that:

I'm fully aware that when some people hear my name in a musical context, it's not often equated to anything earth-shattering. Yet, in many ways, this new record finds itself in a similar vein to the previous one, "Wild Hope." While “Amanda Leigh” was recorded in a much more concise period of time, both albums just feel like a real body of work, more connected to each other – both personally and musically.

When starting to really brainstorm about where the next musical venture should live, I decided to reach out to a few favorite artists of mine to see if they'd be interested in collaborating. I met Mike Viola through a mutual friend, Inara George, and within minutes of our first encounter, the mere mention of my love for Paul McCartney’s “Ram” set our working relationship in motion. Before I knew it, we were sitting around a microphone in his home studio writing a song. I quickly realized that Mike and I shared a love of so much of the same music and he innately understood the direction my music was taking me and where I wanted to take the music. Although it was immediately clear in my mind, I'm not sure I even asked Mike to produce the album; I just assumed he would…thankfully our collective assumptions and hopes prevailed.

Suffice it to say, our common admiration (or perhaps, obsession) for the likes of Todd Rundgren, Joni Mitchell, CSNY and Nilsson, among many others, ran amok throughout the writing and eventual recording experience together.

From my perspective, the process of co-writing is rather vulnerable and can often be fairly hit or miss. It really takes the right partnership to allow honesty and comfort to reign. What worked so well with Mike and I was that we obviously brought different things to the table but worked from the same place.... we had one common interest in mind. We pushed one another and never thought twice about fearlessly stepping up to the plate with any and all ideas.

We toyed with a number of ways to record the record….turn my house into a recording studio, go the conventional route of finding a great space in L.A. and even the idea of combining these two avenues. Mike had often talked about including his friend, Ducky Carlisle, who was not only an encyclopedia of music but also a kick-ass drummer with a super cozy studio in the basement of his home outside of Boston. Sure, it was a deviation from the way I've recorded music in the past, but it felt like the only way to go about working on this record.

Reception about the album stays positive:

Entertainment Weekly gave the album a B+, stating that it was "much more fun" than Wild Hope and praised the songs "Merrimack River", "Pocket Philosopher", and "Song About Home." The CD also topped the website's Must List the week it was released.

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of allmusic wrote the album is a "clean, classy collection of AAA pop." He also went on to say that, "[Mandy] has successfully dropped all the tacky accoutrements of her past and turned into a sweet, classy singer/songwriter whose charms are readily apparent here, her best adult pop record yet." (3.5/5 stars)

IGN wrote, "With Amanda Leigh, Moore has succeeded in crafting a personal record that is entertaining, even compelling at times, but isn't weighed down by heavy themes, misguided irony, or complex arrangements."

The Dallas Morning News noted that, "Amanda Leigh turns more compelling with each listen...How great that she left the Britney Spears factory behind."

My Crazy Music Blog also gave a positive review, declaring, "Amanda Leigh, overall, is a throwback to an earlier time but a successful throwback. Moore effectively adds a fresh perspective to her music & solidifies her folk/country/singer-songwriter sound with ease, grace and style.

Although I truly enjoyed her last album, Wild Hope, the new album sings more of Mandy Moore's soul. She turns to be one classic act, way past her contemporaries.

After listening (and dancing frantically) to Lady Gaga, it's time to chill out to the cool, sweet voice of Amanda Leigh.

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