Megan Slankard: Press

“Slankard’s vocal style is so distinctive that simply naming influences (Ani DiFranco, Alanis Morissette) doesn’t do it justice. Her vocal melodies are immediately arresting, she uses hip-hop phrasing and whisper-to-roar dynamics like a pro, and she never lets her impeccable technique eclipse the emotion she pours into her performances.”

"Nearly everyone who encounters this attractive and sophisticated singer-songwriter agrees that she has 'star' written all over her"

"She forges a distinctive sound with her smooth and courageous vocal dynamics, intelligent and diverse song styles, and sheer infectious enthusiasm."

"Like the murderous rabbit from 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail', San Franciscan acoustic folk-rock troubadour Megan Slankard has a cute, wouldn't-hurt-a-fly appearance that gives little indication of the power she commands. Rather than maiming with claw and fang, though, she kills the listener softly with her heartfelt lyrics, her bold, radio-ready voice and her memorable chart-wooing melodies."

"Slankard has a knack for getting the max out of what would seem to be modest resources, putting together a tight little bandwriting a brace of vibrant songs, taking them into a local studioand coming out withan album that holds it own against the 'real' records pros made. Spin Freaky Little Story and you'll hear singing and lyricism reminiscent of the young Joni Mitchell while also picking up the intermingled vulnerability and attitude that characterized Chrissie Hynde when she exploded onto the scene."

"I really like [Megan Slankard's Freaky Little Story]... I have a feeling something's going to happen with her."

"She could make the OED [Oxford English Dictionary] sound melodious."

"Wow! This outstanding CD [Freaky Little Story] from Megan Slankard is full of incredible songs - so good that our staff went out and bought their own copies!"

"Megan Slankard proves that you don't have to play the same three chords over and over again to be a rock 'n' roll star. Welcome to Freaky Little Story, which is neither freaky nor little. The comparisons to Alanis Morrisette, Patty Griffin, and Ani DiFranco are scattered all over her press kit, and are certainly warranted. However, if you only heard the cut "Mocking Bird," it would become quite evident that Slankard has a lot of contemporary soul in her bones too, slipping slinky vocal phrases across the bar-line, complemented by DJ scratching. Throughout this deeply introspective song-cycle, Slankard's snappy, organic acoustic guitar rhythms and syncopated melodies serve as the perfect balance to her angelic harmonies which often break into dreamy falsetto multi-tracked passages. An artist with tremendous potential, I wouldn't be surprised if this is her last indie release. Get it now before you have to pay a fortune on E-Bay."

"The first thing that strikes you is her incredible vocal control. And if you've made the mistake of thinking she's a cute little waif, it takes about 30 seconds into the first song for her confidence and musical prowess to make your jaw drop."

"This Northern California singer/songwriter proves she’s no pop princess. Megan Slankard has the moxy of Ani DiFranco, lyrics reminiscent of both Ani and Tori Amos and the vocal range of an early Jewel. Not bad company to be in when you’re just twenty-one years old. Freaky Little Story is a great album top to bottom. Each track on the album showcases Megan’s talent as a songwriter and her band shows good form in the alt-pop realm. Megan Slankard is definitely a star on the rise."

"Freaky Little Story is an altogether impressive full-length package from this singer/songwriter and her backup musicians... This talented artist is well worth a listen."

"There’s nothing freaky about it. Slankard has a sound that is poised for success. She’s also got absolutely everything going for her. She writes hooky pop and sings with growls, purrs, hip-hop stops and McLachlinesque octave warbles. Add to that a crackerjack band, radio friendly production, and WB program good looks."

"...Ridiculously talented..."

"Whether her female complexity or artist's scope is at the root of her musical flexibility is indefinite. What does shine through is [Freaky Little Story’s] compositional diversity taking you from rock to blues to folk and back again, while also providing a refreshing break from the pop diva genre that most female artists have found themselves lumped into."

"It's a good sign when the first three songs of a record have you wondering 'why haven't I heard of [the Megan Slankard Band] before?' Such is the case with Freaky Little Story... Slankard’s vocal style is so distinctive that simply naming influences (Ani DiFranco, Alanis Morissette) doesn’t do it justice. Her vocal melodies are immediately arresting, she uses hip-hop phrasing and whisper-to-roar dynamics like a pro, and she never lets her impeccable technique eclipse the emotion she pours into her performances."

"The thirteen tracks on Freaky Little Story all illustrate how [Slankard] is able to distill the sweetness and quality from female musicians such as Alanis Morissette and Lisa Loeb and make it her own. I expect to hear a lot coming from the Megan Slankard Band in the very near future."

"There are some things you just drop everything for, and Megan Slankard night [2004 Performances in the Park] is one of them... This girl rocks. And she swoons. Her voice stirs you up in one song, embraces your mellow mood in another. She speaks to you on an intimate level, and the very coursing of blood through your veins hums and thrums in symphony. She makes you want to get up and dance one minute, stretch out on a blanket and soak it up the next."

"What Megan Slankard is selling on her self-produced album, Freaky Little Story, is bottled excitement... On ‘Too Bad You’ and ‘Dirty Wings’ close your eyes, it could be Sheryl with her foot on the gas. In between comes ‘Mocking Bird’ where she sounds sexier than Shania but it's a latent sexiness, more powerful because it's suggested. Her [music] is made all the more alluring by a real hunger; she's a girl with places to go. ‘Addy's Tattoo’ is breathless but it is also free from the cynicism born of experience...

The album may well be entering a crowded market but its core radio friendliness sits neatly alongside the slightly quirky; ‘Lose Me’ is the kind of song Rickie Lee Jones sang at her peak. Freaky Little Story is a real find, an album packed with the kind of melodies that shift records by the van load but it will also satisfy those who think commercial success is akin to summoning Beelzebub, which is a pretty neat trick."

"This seemingly innocent 20-year-old singer-songwriter has surprised audiences and critics across the country with her smooth, bluesy compositions. A breath of fresh air in the world of female pop singers, Slankard's sound is vibrant, emotional, and very addicting."

"Great voice, great songs, great album [freaky little story] -- and if there's any justice in the world, a great future."

"It's as if you've opened an emo pop Jack-in-the-box–the outside is adorned with hearts, rainbows and peace symbols, but turn the crank, and after a little acoustic rock fanfare, out pop the twin figures of Alanis Morissette and Ani DiFranco in all their fierce, über-female kick-ass-itude. Such is the shock when an adorable 20-year-old hippie gal opens her mouth and belts out sharp, punchy original tunes with radio-quality professionalism. Tracy, California's Megan Slankard clearly aims to paint the music industry paisley, and let's be honest–it isn't exactly hurting her mission that her every molecule radiates disarming cuteness. Keep your eye on this one."

"[Freaky Little Story] has lots of magic moments – lots of goose bumps, lots of evidence of hard work... The vocals and harmonies are wonderful... love the arrangements... very exciting."