Jacqueline Becker - Jacqueline Becker

Jacqueline Becker - Jacqueline Becker

2010, Jacqueline Becker

Jacqueline Becker is a Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter standing on the cusp of something big.  Big hair; big personality, and a voice that’s larger than life are all qualities you can’t miss.  Becker has recently been featured as the voice of Riley Kendrick in Elle Magazine’s animation series Dirty Little Secret.  Becker’s self-titled debut album is a study in contracts.  While the performances are as variable as the material, Becker’s voice shines through like a beacon.

Jacqueline Becker opens with the deliciously bluesy "Don't Forget", exuding a mix of toughness and vulnerability that's positively theatrical.  Becker's voice is enthralling, comprised of gorgeous tone, a touch of brass and a breathy flavor when she digs out the high notes.  "What Do Other Women Do?" is a funky rock tune that's stripped down.  It's a call out to a beau over his roaming behavior that's entertaining and fun.  "The Love You Need" is a bluesy come-on, full of a sensual self-assurance that's palpable.    The song itself is somewhat average for songwriting, but Becker takes it over the top with a dynamic performance. 

"Come Home To Me" teams with jealousy and desire.  The bluesy folk arrangement is a call to a man to stop running around and just come home, and is very well written and perfectly delivered.  "Carefully" is a solid ballad with pop and R&B undertones that shows off Becker's voice nicely but once again is a bit on the pedestrian side.  "Honest Man" finds Becker sinking back into the bluesy sound after a slight detour in a plus performance that shows the earmarks of consistency and polish.  "Sugar" questions a partner's fidelity while using sex as a weapon to try to control his behavior.  Becker closes with "Glass Was Sand", an apologist monologue on human imperfect in relationships.  Becker gives a performance that's vulnerable and moving in its knowing sadness.

Jacqueline Becker delivers a positive if slightly inconsistent performance on her self-titled debut album.  The songwriting is generally above average, but Becker has a way of enhancing even the drollest turns of phrase with a high-voltage personality that shines through the subtlety and grace of a long-time stage performer.  When Jacqueline Becker turns it on she owns the room/stage/studio.  Becker isn't on 100% of the time here, but there's more than enough here to keep up the intrigue.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Jacqueline Becker at www.jacquelinebeckermusic.com or www.myspace.com/jacquelinebeckermusic.  Jacqueline Becker is available from Amazon.com as a CD or Download.  Digital copies of the album are also available from iTunes.