'78

iTunes Review

Those who know China Forbes from the cosmopolitan combo Pink Martini might be caught somewhat off-guard by her solo project ’78. It reconnects her with the smart, catchy pop sounds first heard on her 1995 album Love Handle, though this effort shows more poise and polish. Forbes positions herself as a cerebral singer/songwriter along the lines of Aimee Mann and Sheryl Crow, a connection emphasized by former Crow sideman Gregg Williams’ presence as producer. The album’s tracks are sparsely furnished in contemporary style, surrounding Forbes’ coolly yearning voice with slide guitars, electric piano and subdued touches of electronica. Her probing lyrical touch is well displayed on “One Less Word,” “Can’t Be Wrong,” “ and ”I’m Still Talking to You.” Tracks like “When This Is Over” (a collaboration with the Go-Go’s Charlotte Caffey) and “Time On My Hands” are crisp and hook-laden. She descends into brooding interior monologues during “You Were/I Was” and “Easter Sunday” and surfaces for a sans-glitter remake of the Pink Martini favorite “Hey Eugene.”