Katie Noonan - Warner

Katie Noonan’s latest offering Second Skin resembles a sophisticated compilation of elevator tunes rather than a slice of musical gold. A highly respected member of the Australian music fraternity, Noonan appears to have embarked on an existential journey and got off the bus a few stops too early.

Her latest hits Time To Begin and Sunshine show promise of a chart topper, yet the album is like apricot chicken; it works in theory but all you end up with is a funky aftertaste. Noonan, working with some of the most successful popular dance procedures and DJ’s of the minute, John Course and Mr Timothy, could have produced ground breaking results, but save yourself the cash and suggest it as a belated birthday gift for your fifth cousin.

It seems this idea for Noonan’s ethereal vocals to be laden over techo drum and bass may have been spawned after a few too many bevies. For the gentiles out there who entertain at fabulous dinner parties this is the perfect soundtrack, Noonan’s menthol fresh sounds combined with a toe tapping beat that won’t offend your glass of Penfolds Grange Hermitage.