Lene Marlin
Lost in a Moment
(EMI Music)
Lene Marlin has the crystal-clear sound of Wilson Phillips and the melancholia of Suzanne Vega, as well as the monotonous pacing of Dido and the tinniness of Natalie Imbruglia. She also embraces Alanis Morissette's confessional predilection, albeit without her one-finger salute.
Norway's latest export is many things, but rarely is she her own person. Where she does stand out is in her intensity and seeming sincerity. These qualities may not be enough for some listeners, but they have an appeal: in the seven years since her debut, Marlin has become a big star in her own country.
To her credit, she's achieved success without resorting to skin baring or hype. The singer-songwriter is an oddity in other ways, including her reluctance to be interviewed or even to play concerts. She's also unpredictable. For Lost in a Moment, her third album, Marlin handed her record company the finished product instead of the demos they were expecting.