Seventhings-Unraveled Review

Seventhings is the pop-rock product of the Californian singer/songwriter/producer power-duo Margaret McClure and Andy Machin. McClure started out in the music industry with a successful solo career, first as a violinist in the Orange County District Orchestra and then as a solo performer in the California rock scene. Machin spent most of his youth touring with various bands before opening up Bigrock Studios in Escondido, California. After playing together in the bands Seventhings and The Rockinvaders, McClure and Machin decided to collaborate on Unraveled, a pop-rock album recorded at Machin's Bigrock Studios. The duo's music has been featured in several TV/film slots, such as "Broadjam", "American Idol Underground," MTV's "My Super Sweet 16" and "Making The Band 4," "Access Hollywood," VH1's "Best Week Ever," and PBS's "Road Trip Nation."
Produced and written by McClure and Machin, Unraveled is a collection of medium to fast tempo pop-rock tunes featuring McClure's lead-vocals and Machin's lead-guitar. The album starts off with an average up-tempo pop-rock song, "If It Was You," followed by a more-bluesy pop-rock song "Hey Angel."

"Can't Give your Love," is a slower, moodier rock song with an adult-contemporary appeal. In songs such as "I'm Gone," "Make You," and "Can't Give Your Love," McClure's voice sounds strikingly similar to the character Mimi from the Broadway show, Rent and very much like the 90s' female singer/songwriter, Merril Bainbridge. McClure's innocent voice gives most of the songs on this album a very mainstream pop sound.

"Runaway," is an acoustic, pop-rock duet with colorful harmonies and good songwriting. "The Edge" and "Unravel," feature Machin's lead vocals with McClure's harmonies. The male vocals give the songs a completely different feel-one that sounds more raw and real. Although McClure's voice is very crisp, she is too much pop and not enough rock. In addition, the dominating youthful and innocent quality of her voice takes away from the heart of these songs. However, McClure's harmonies really give depth to Machin's vocals.

"Unravel," and "Lost" were the two best tracks on the album. "Unravel," is a mid-tempo pop-rock song with great harmonies and piano. "Lost" was the most unique song on the album for its catchy Latin beat and acoustic guitar. In addition, Machin's soulful vocals and lyrics add great depth to this song. Unraveled is a well-produced album with infectious vocal harmonies, however several songs on this album blended together and didn't seem very unique. I would have liked to hear more songs like "Lost" that diverge from the dime a dozen pop-rock sound that seems to overwhelm this album.

© MuzikReviews.com

Erin Bruno-MuzikReviews.com Contributor

March 10, 2008

Tracks:
01. If It Was You
02. Hey Angel
03. The Edge
04. Can't Live Your Love
05. I'm Gone
06. Unravel
07. Make You
08. Runaway
09. Falling Down
10. Lost
11. That's All History