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Jamie McDell - Six Strings and a Sailboat Album Review

03 Jan 2013 // A review by Peter-James Dries

I had never heard the name Jamie McDell, though judging by the volume of buzz and praise Google throws out, I feel like I should have. Her debut album Six Strings and a Sailboat debuted at number eight on the NZ Top 40 and her singles have been dancing around the charts for weeks. Granted, I live under a rock and avoid pop music if I can.

These songs are sure to satisfy a specific group; girls above and below thirty. It is the soundtrack to a summer of freedom, a road trip to Taupo with the girls, sunbathing with a book, singing into a hairbrush, pining over an unrequited crush or shopping in Glassons. While reviewing Six Strings and a Sailboat I heard Jamie McDell’s latest single Life in Sunshine playing in Glassons. No. I don’t wear anything from the Glassons range, but it is Christmas time…   

I remember thinking the song was Taylor Swift at first, then wondering why I would know the words if it was a Taylor Swift song. Google tells me I’m not the first to notice the similarities between Taylor Swift and Jamie McDell.  Many reviews draw the comparison to American songbird and sweetheart Taylor Swift, and there is a similarity in the sense that they are both beautiful young woman with sweet voices. 

And who cares if Jamie McDell sounds like Taylor Swift. Look at the numbers. Six Strings and a Sailboat has number two New Zealand album on the Top 40 for the past two weeks, beaten only by perennial Country music icon Dennis Marsh and ahead of kiwi legends Kora, Six60 and Bic Runga’s Anthology. Other than Aaradhna, McDell’s single You’ll Never Take That Away is the only Gold certified single on the Top 40 singles chart. Jamie McDell has made it. She is our Taylor Swift.

Six Strings And A Sailboat
View Track Listing
 

About Jamie McDell

Jamie McDell was brought up in a musical family and started writing songs from a young age. Winner of Best Pop Album at the 2013 New Zealand Music Awards.

"If you were going to put money on Kiwi music's "next big thing", Jamie McDell is your best bet... her homemade videos have turned her into a YouTube sensation, leaving industry heavyweights predicting global success for the beach-loving girl from Mangawhai." - View, The Sunday Star Times.

"Jamie McDell's cover [of One Direction's 'One Thing'] reminds us of Jewel. And that's a good thing!" - Perez Hilton

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Jamie McDell

Releases

Jamie McDell
Year: 2022
Type: Album
Extraordinary Girl
Year: 2018
Type: Album
Ask Me Anything
Year: 2015
Type: Album
All That I Wanted
Year: 2012
Type: EP
Six Strings And A Sailboat
Year: 2012
Type: Album

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NZ Top 10 Singles

  • TOO SWEET
    Hozier
  • BEAUTIFUL THINGS
    Benson Boone
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • I LIKE THE WAY YOU KISS ME
    Artemas
  • SATURN
    SZA
  • STICK SEASON
    Noah Kahan
  • END OF BEGINNING
    Djo
  • LIKE THAT
    Future And Metro Boomin feat. Kendrick Lamar
  • ESPRESSO
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS (WAIT FOR YOUR LOVE)
    Ariana Grande
View the Full NZ Top 40...
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