Pretty Little Flies’ songs fall squarely into the “girl with a piano” genre/generalization popularized in the mid-to-late nineties. Confessional lyrics over mid-tempo piano lines. Tori Amos and Sarah McLachlan can be heard in the music and Boado’s vocal inflections. Fiona Apple can be heard in Boado’s most adventurous moments.
Ree Boado’s Pretty Little Flies is as its best when things feel loose. The jazzy lilt of “Hey Heart” for instance, when Boado apologizes to herself for bad decisions. Or the mid-tempo swing of “You Got Something.” In these moments Boado sounds like she’s having fun despite the serious subject matter.
Fans of Amos, Apple and McLachlan should definitely pick up Pretty Little Flies. Even if you aren’t a fan of these artists, give the album a shot. You’ll find a talent worth watching in the years to come.
