Reviewed by Nigel Harris

While considering attending a GMA Academy in Nashville this 16 year old female singer met producer Eric Copeland who introduced her to Grammy-winning engineer and producer Danny Duncan. The result was many trips from Pennsylvania to Nashville to record this debut EP with some top session musicians. The result is an impressive debut. Track one, "(It's A) Beautiful Thing" co-written by Rachel Lampa, David Mullen and Jerry Stober, is pure Christina/Britney - except that Noel has a far better voice! Shame the backing vocals take over and swamp it at the end. "Emptied", another Rachel Lampa number, is more rocky, then the more funky "Get On Up" allows Noel to let rip with a voice that belies her mere 17 years (when she recorded it - I think she's 18 now). On "Innocence" Noel changes gear, this time a power ballad with simple piano accompaniment. The CD ends with another out and out rocker, Noel's own "Nothing Left" and leaves you in no doubt that we should be hearing a lot more of this young lady in the future.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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