This came out in 2003 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
Call it the Juno curse. Back in 1998, Melanie Doane won Best New Artist on the strength of her album Adam’s Rib. Since then? Nothing but an overlooked live CD.
But now, thanks to a heroic effort by none other than Forrest Gump’s Capt. Dan — actor Gary Sinise, who started Actorboy Records solely to issue Doan’s music — the Nova Scotia singer and multi-instrumentalist gets another crack at the big time. And she makes the most of it. You Are What You Love is a consummate pop-rock offering, with Doane dividing her time and attention between catchy novelty numbers (Wilma Or A Betty Man, You Do The Math, Bionic, the title cut) and pretty, heartfelt ballads (As I Am, Way Past Blue, First Love), all slickly polished to a glossy techno-pop sheen by longtime collaborator Rick Neigher. Perhaps they’re a tad too polished — more grit could help Doane stake a place for herself between Sheryl, Alanis, Melissa and Aimee. Still, with her photogenic looks, this tacklebox of hooks and Sinise’s bankroll behind her, Doane just might finally beat that Juno curse.
