Lisa Marie Presley: To Whom It May Concern | Music Review

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Lisa Marie Presley
To Whom It May Concern
***

by Sal Cinquemani on April 15, 2003
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Though it's only her debut album, Lisa Marie Presley's To Whom It May Concern comes with almost as much baggage as her ex-husband's last record, Invincible. The album is coated with a contrived, albeit believable, grittiness that fits the image the omnipresent Presley has presented to nearly every media outlet at her record label's disposal. Tracks like "The Road Between" and "Better Beware" are expectedly self-deprecating and her often biting lyrics leave a powerful sting: "I'm no longer your erection…I'm your disease." Other times, though, Presley's sentiments get jumbled in her grand effort to make an emotional or socio-political statement; the title track ultimately just sounds like a public service announcement condemning the over-prescription of Ritalin, while "Important" suggests Presley herself may benefit from some medication of her own: "It's me in here with the doctor and the crowd around me/They are my chosen family." Luckily, Presley aligned herself with two masters, Glen Ballard, the man who brought out the growl in Alanis Morrisette, and Eric Rosse, Tori Amos's former beau/producer, who neatly sewed together the album's 12 tracks. It's on the emotionally potent "Nobody Noticed It," a song devoted to her late father, that Presley truly shines: "They tried to make you look broken/But not while I'm living." But if half of the album's success comes from curiosity about Elvis's only daughter, many will be surprised to hear that Presley's twangy brand of rock and sultry vocals sound more like Sheryl Crow or Cher than the King.

Label: Capitol
Release Date: 2003