Mary Beth Abella

Most Denverites have, at one point, shared buildings with a beginning guitarist, flutist, or worse, a drummer--poor souls who engender neighborly scorn, as well as mighty calluses, during their early stages of life as a musician. But there are many local artists whom you'd actually want to have next door, folks who make music that you'd hapily listen to on a Saturday morning. In fact, the people in your neighborhood made some great recordings in 2002. Here's a look at some of the best.

Mary Beth Abella
What Happened to the Girls?
(The Abella Kids Records)

Songwriter/guitarist Mary Beth Abella found her sea legs -- and her chops -- on What Happened to the Girls?, surviving endless band-member rotations and a difficult production to produce a bold debut. By turns gutsy and emotional, Abella crafts tunes that move from sensitive and spare (but not sentimental) to hard-driving and dynamic, all the while emphasizing humanness over histrionics. If this recording is any indication, the girls are just fine.
- Westword Magazine

What Happened to the Girls? is an edgy, shape-shifting and wholly modern collection that includes brazen, arty tunes ("Just Like Me," "Your Skin") alongside more understated and emotional songs ("Leave You Behind," "Last Night") and never gives in to sentimentality or shamltz. Vocally, Mary Beth can recall everyone from Veruca Salt's Nina Gordon to the aforementioned Harvy. But as a songwriter, she feels more closely aligned with Jeff Buckley, Grant Lee Phillips and Lisa German, artists who draw strength from simplicity but occasionally like to rock, too.
- Westword Magazine

Mary Beth's voice is smooth and sexy. Her songs have alluring melodies, the comforting sound of the singer-songwriter in the coffee shop, and a rocking edge that will appeal to your suppressed angst, teenage or otherwise. She can lure you in with the beauty of it when you're not paying attention and then she'll punch you with a blunt lyric when you are. - North Denver News

From the moment I started listening to Mary Beth Abella's album, "What Happened to the Girls?", I was immediately captivated and invested in the songs. The first song, "Just Like Me," is passionate and strong--full of rockin' intensity and power. The second track, "Til We Die," takes us to a different level and sounds more like mellow rock, but still every bit as interesting as her hard rocking sound.

Her style is reminiscent of PJ Harvey, Juliana Hatfield, Sheryl Crowe and Liz Phair, and her songwriting puts her in line to be one of the next big singer/songwriters. Abella's writing is expressive, honest, intelligent and full bodied. It is, at times, dark and angry, but at other times sunny as a spring day.

Listen to "When Girls Ruled" and you will be convinced of her songwriting greatness. It is rare when you can find the level of complexity in songwriting that Abella possesses in a debut effort. Her ability to deliver this level of confidence and power helps to keep the listener on their toes. Her voice is sweet without being cloying and childish.

Abella counts the Beatles as one of her favorite bands, and their influence can be seen in her chord changes and melodic harmony. This debut album stands tall compared to what is currently being mass produced. With the singer songwriter fever running wild throughout the music biz right now, it is just a matter of time before talent scouts from major labels are sent to Denver--stampeding to check out Abella.
- Denver Daily News

Don't call MARY BETH ABELLA a hippy-chick singer. There is enough electricity running through her songs ( and amps ) that I can safely say she rocks. While comfortable with an acoustic, Mary Beth Abella identifies more with The Beatles than Melissa Ethridge. Though it's ineluctable that her pleasant voice might lead people to dismiss her as yet another of the numerous, national female singers crowding the pop charts, it only takes one listen to her full length debut, "What Happened To The Girls" to recognize a songwriting talent not afraid to express herself in light as well as darker shades. Mary Beth's unflinching, honest lyrical stance and songs replete with a notable classic guitar presence, creates music that can play well on pop main street or in the nearest dark alley. That unique duality gives her a gritty integrity and a credible foothold in the Colorado rock scene that few women enjoy. In the final analysis, the best thing about MARY BETH ABELLA may just be that she isn't afraid to make accessible, commercial sounding rock and roll with the dirt still under her fingernails. - maristhegreat.com