Former student supports album

Reviewed by JON FASSNACHT
Collegian Staff Writer

With many up-and-coming musicians pandering to mainstream tastes, it's nice to see artists who go against the grain.

Kelly Buchanan, a former Penn State student, is one of these artists.

Needing only an acoustic guitar and her voice to transform her emotions into tangible form, Buchanan is a gifted songwriter who focuses on melody and mood rather than virtuoso guitar playing and timbre.

She is extremely dedicated to her craft, even if her devotion came about in an unusual way.

"It happened one day at the Music Building," Buchanan said. "I was sick of the structure being confined to classical and I wanted to open up and explore new grounds."

Buchanan began performing original music while she was attending the university as an integrative arts and international studies major. Her first public performance of her own material was at Cafe Gourmet, 123 W. Beaver Ave., in the fall of 1996.

And last Friday night Buchanan supported her first compact disc, A Bipolar World.

Opening up with a fantastic rendition of "What I Am" by Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians, she delivered an upbeat show consisting mainly of her own songs with a few covers -- ranging from Simon and Garfunkel's "Sounds of Silence" to Nine Inch Nails' "Closer."

But it was her originals that truly unleashed Buchanan's talent. Her guitar playing and slightly syncopated vocal delivery was reminiscent of a female Dave Matthews.

"Be My Jesus" and "Liar," two songs off of A Bipolar World, showed her unique approach to composition.

"Jesus" contained a tricky riff that slithered around the guitar neck like a snake. "Liar" featured a run that started out normally but broke into odd-sounding territory halfway through.

Anyone who would like to hear Buchanan's music can purchase her 10-song CD at Arboria Records, 119 E. Beaver Ave., or by e-mailing Buchanan at buchanankelly@yahoo.com.