Shiver

iTunes Review

Australian-born Jamie O’Neal spent years as a Nashville songwriter and background singer before securing a record deal in the late- ‘90s. O’Neal possesses a big, gutsy voice that brings to mind Faith Hill or Reba McEntire in her younger days; she displays both a flair for the dramatic and the ability to descend into more intimate depths. “There Is No Arizona” (a hard-luck lover’s tale set to a sleek urban groove) and “When I Think About Angels” (a romantic daydream with R&B overtones) are the obvious radio-tailored hits in this collection. Beyond such catchy fare, O’Neal establishes herself as a sultry balladeer on torchy numbers like “To Be With You,” “I’m Still Waiting,” and “Where We Belong.” Her breathy vocals on the provocative title tune raise the album’s body temperature still further. Feisty upbeat tracks like “No More Protecting My Heart” and “Frantic” inject some carefree fun into the proceedings. Producer Keith Stegall lends the tracks a polished country-pop sound aimed at a broad audience. All told, Shiver is a self-assured first release from an artist more than ready for the big time.