Beautiful Mess [Bonus CD]

Swing Out Sister's grand BEAUTIFUL MESS was issued by Avex Trax in Japan in 2008, and licensed by Shanachie for release in July of 2009. While the duo of lead vocalist Corrine Drewery and musical arranger and multi-instrumentalist Andy Connell fell off the musical radar slightly during the 1990s, the duo have consistently made fresh, sophisticated, and compelling pop since their inception in the 1980s when they scored big worldwide hits such as "Breakout" and "Twilight World." BEAUTIFUL MESS finds the pair engaging a full band that includes the vocal backing group Gina Foster and the Champagnettes as well as string arrangements and excellent guitar and piano parts. The set is also more jazz-inflected, though its pop roots are unmistakable and prevalent. This is musical sophistication presented with grace and an unpretentious accessibility.