Pascale Picard - Me, Myself & Us (2007)

Though she comes from Quebec, Pascale Picard isn't exactly a French singer. She's something more -- an artist -- as evidenced by the songs of her platinum-selling debut, Me, Myself & Us. Along with the Pascale Picard Band, Picard paints a dazzlingly beautiful, emotional picture that fills the listener with feelings of contentment. Me, Myself & Us, should it have to be classified as one genre, would be considered a folk album; however, the team that Picard works with has seamlessly blended this album to create something more diverse, with a heavy emphasis on rock. The music and instruments are lush and layered throughout, with Picard's unique voice taking center stage on all of them. Almost innately, Picard globally incorporates the listener into her own personal setting. Singing about what's important to her, such as her favorite television programs (truth!), she creates an intimate world, yet doesn't bore anyone to tears with personal details. Rather, she splits off and manages to produce musically exciting rock tracks. The tracks have a galactic feel to them; as if you were listening to something that couldn't even be conceived on this planet. On "A While," Picard really lets loose, and through slick guitar licks and sour vocals, epitomizes the word "shocking" in a terrific moment of glory. While nothing matches "A While" on diversity, Picard can slow the tempo down no problem on soothing coffeeshop tunes such as "When at the End of the Road" or jazz it up on the radio smash "Gate 22." Because Picard's voice is so refreshingly unique, she simply rocks the house on nearly every track. Every beat, every note, every melody is different and more exciting than the last, and by the end, listeners are foaming at the mouth for more from this Canadian beauty.