Simple

The album title may be Simple, yet the rhythms are rocking and lilting and the lyrics tend to be insightful. If that's simple, listeners may wish more artists practiced equal simplicity. The songs are lovely, from "More of Me" to "Peace of Mind." "Pictures in My Mind" has the technical glitch of fingers slipping on the strings in places, which is too bad, because it's a mellow, lightly melancholy ballad. This one might merit a re-recording at some point. Slice-of-life song "That's How You Got to Me, Baby" describes the series of daily minor disasters like car breakdowns, lockouts, and the way her partner cheered her, "Every time you make me laugh when the walls come tumblin' down upon my world." (Survivors of less supportive relationships may get seriously wistful over this one — everybody would be happier if their partners knew how to be so nurturing.) Oh, may there be more like this, of relationships and songs, both! Casual listeners will become fans as they reach for repeat play on this one. So it's an agreeable start for Deedee O'Malley, and the many listeners who enjoy her work will be pleased to know that she has more songs out on Beautiful L.A. as well.