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Like a more rock and roll Avril Lavigne, comes the debut disc of 16 year-old Sam Lombardi from Melbourne, Australia. There are 12 cuts here and Ms. Lombardi co-wrote three herself. The powers that be should just let Sam herself control the reins because her songs are among the best on the record. Perhaps it's because she's just closer to the material but those songs ring real a bit more.
"Ordinary Day" is one of those three and it has a bit of a swagger which sets it apart from the other songs. "Open Your Eyes" is fast-paced rocker that has a great vocal. The enjoyable "My Game" switches up from a mid-tempo verse through a great bridge into a galloping chorus.
The two ballads are both high points on the record. "You Belong To Me" is absolutely stunning, an excellent vocal and song. The second one and the closing cut, "The Ones" is emotive but not maudlin and Lombardi's voice really shines. Still, it sounds like the girl can really wail and you keep on wishing she would just break free the chains.
Overall, this is very good debut. It's a little generic in parts but there are enough high points to make it a worthwhile investment for anybody who might buy records by Lavigne and Fefe Dobson.
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