Lovefool

On "Lovefool", Alexis Michelle - n�e Alex Michael - sounds like she's enjoying her time post the intense scrutiny of her competing in Season Nine of "RuPaul's Drag Race" last year. Ultimately, the collection of eclectic songs reveal a lot more of her vocal talents and personal taste than she was able to showcase on the heavily edited revolving door that is reality television. With a relaxed and expressive tone, Alexis delves into both Broadway standards from the 1970s to the 2000s, as well as pop hits from the same eras.

Whether she's lightly channeling a hesitant chanteuse or a jaded lonely heart, Alexis is more focused on keeping the pieces similar in spirit to the source materials than mining the melodies for unusual interpretations. It is an intelligent move since most of the younger teenage fans of "RuPaul's Drag Race" were probably born after the most recently written song, "Follow Your Heart," from the musical "Urinetown," which premiered Off-Broadway in 2001. Even though these musical numbers may not be currently in the Top 40 rotation (or even on the rotation on special online radio stations since they are not from "Hamilton"), they are still sweetly tuned gifts. The mash-up "Simple/Good Thing Going," which tenderly intersperses a sad goodbye from "Nine" with a maudlin tune from "Merrily We Roll Along," is one tribute that may leave a live audience in tears.

"Lovefool" seems dedicated to people who dig large gestures and chutzpah. The title song is cloying and vulnerable, while other oldie offerings such as "Call Me" and "Beautiful" are bold and brassy. Many of the tracks are obscure at this point - due to time in the case of the oldies, and lack of mainstream appeal in the case of the Broadway show tunes - but the band and Alexis ably provide easy listening irrespective of the cover's genre. Not too familiar, and yet very hummable, the overall effect of this album is as if you've strolled into a piano bar and, miracle of miracles, Alexis Michelle is holding court with her band that day.

"Lovefool"
by Alexis Michelle
Broadway Records
$15.95 (CD) $12.99 (digital)
https://www.broadwayrecords.com/cds/alexis-michelle-lovefool