MVTimes Online - The Martha's Vineyard Times: Island News Now

Singer/songwriter Megan La Roque's greatest asset may be gutsiness, an indisputable chutzpah that she wields to make you sit up and pay attention to her music. This power of conviction is used to full effect on “Drunk In A Kiss,” a six-song EP she recently released on her own Rock You Records label. The disc, recorded in Los Angeles and produced by David Ybarra, represents a departure from Ms. La Roque's previous release “Acoustic Live” and serves as a telling document of her artistic evolution.

Ms. La Roque, formerly of Martha's Vineyard, has been striving to carve a name for herself in the singer/songwriter scene in San Diego and Los Angeles. She created the “Acoustic On The Rocks” showcase in San Diego and L.A., where she has performed alongside the artists Pete Thurston, Bushwalla, Gregory Page, and others. The San Diego Area Music Journal dubbed her “an empowered woman playing inspired music,” and the San Diego Troubadour called her “a risk taker on the move.”

In a departure from Ms. La Roque's previous acoustic approach, “Drunk In A Kiss” features a full band sound. While some acoustic artists find their voices drowned out in a full band setting, Ms. La Roque adapts well to the new format. She seems to have discovered a new level of strength and nuance to her singing that suggests a fusion of Chrissie Hynde and P.J. Harvey. On the track “Pick Me Up” she sings, “I need to wash my hands again, of all the sadness and the sin,” before describing herself as “a beautiful mess.” Like many of the tracks on the EP, this song touches on the theme of the intoxicating power of love and how it can bring once-sensible people to their knees. “Starship 27” is a languid paean to deceased rock stars like Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, and Janis Joplin, while “This Makes Believe” has the droning, electronic sound of “The Flaming Lips” as Ms. La Roque sings, “I fell in love with fantasy.” The most accessible track on the disc is “Cameron,” a gentle ballad that rides blissfully on the 1-4-5 chord progression as Ms. La Roque's voice fuses seamlessly with the elegant instrumentation.

Megan La Roque is currently booking solo and full-band engagements on the west coast, and in April she will tour the east coast with singer/songwriter Todd Martin. With “Drunk In A Kiss,” Ms. La Roque continues her intriguing musical journey. With her potent combination of drive and willpower, it's safe to say that this will not be the last chapter in the career of this unique performing artist.

Julian Wise is a freelance writer, educator, and since 1998, a frequent contributor to The Times, specializing in music, film, and performing arts.