Milla, The Divine Comedy (SBK/EMI Records)
Where to start with this one. Sometimes an artist only gets the chance to do one album before something happens. Much of the time it is the band splitting, record company dropping them or unusually the artist becoming a Hollywood star. This time time it did happen.
Well not quite that fast but it did happen. I am sure you have heard of Milla Jovovich. Ukrainian born and star of films and magazine covers the world over due to a big modeling career.
She is a very good singer and in her early teens made a demo tape that was instantly picked up by EMI. Signing a record deal and starting work on her first album. Produced by Rupert Hine the record company were not messing about here.
She describes the album as a mix of Kate Bush, Sinéad O'Connor, This Mortal Coil, and the Cocteau Twins. And I do agree with that but she really did put something of her own into it. Don't get me wrong this is not the best album made that year or anything. It has its faults but listening to this debut and not many artists can make that good a first album. Add in she was in her early teens when she wrote the lyrics and still upon its release she was only 17. It is a remarkable achievement.
Album opener is a simple look into whats out there 'The Alien Song' has Milla in a real calm relaxed mood. Taking you on a small trip through space. Violin, mandolin, key fiddle and guitar are some of the intuments used on this album and in this song it really builds a nice wall of sound. Swooshing and big air noises make this small trip fun. Next song was a minor hit in America. "Gentleman Who Fell" had two videos made, Milla knows what she wants in her music and in her videos or video art as it turns out. Check out the vido on You tube as it really is amazing. Again watch it and remind yourself she is only 17, so many ideas and such a great understanding of what she wants in not only her music but the whole package. that is something only a handful of bands/artists ever get.
All the songs are heavily influenced by Ukranian folk music at times and this again adds to the albums unique atmosphere. Next single is a little more straight forward. "It's Your Life" is more of a produced song for the record company. It is good still and entertains you with her different ways of singing.
Milla has said she was signed as a dance chart act, expected to have 6 months of chart hits then be out of the music industry for good, it happens all the time. She fought the record company to do this her way. "Bang Your Head" could be a small tribute to the record company and what it must have felt like taking to the suits.
At the end of the day this is a pop album and this is evident on "Clock" a simple synth driven song with nice harmonies to help get her voice into the mind of the listener. Last song "In a Glade" is a classic Ukranian folk song. This lady is classy and knows how to pay her respects, she also nails the song well and can hold her head up high when ever she goes back home.
This album is considered a lost pop classic. And I see why, the record company really did not know what to do with it. Enya and Kate Bush have this side of the market taken. Or did they? This is way different and due to Milla being 17 when it was out a totally different market (Teenagers don't just like boybands).
One gig in the UK then a quick tour of America was the promotion here. But that alone did cause a spark and in America a minor hit single got her onto a support tour. But I think Hollywood was waiting and here film career took over. Milla still writes and records and releases songs on her website. Her latest film Bringing Up Bobby has her on the soundtrack.
Milla Jovovich now kicks the arse of zombies in international blockbuster films. But in her teens she was doing the same to conglomerate record companies.
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