etween fronting Tsunami, a slew of their other bands, and running her own label (Simple Machines), Jenny Toomey was easily one of the most ambitious artists of the 1990s. In the 21st century, Toomey is as ambitious as ever, but now her ambition has shifted focus. Rather than heading a record label, she leads the Future of Music coalition and instead of spreading herself across several bands, she is a solo-artist. Tempting is her second solo release; the full title is Tempting: Jenny Toomey Sings the Songs of Franklin Bruno and she does just that...literally. Not only does she forego her usual composition duties, Toomey does not play an instrument; she concentrates on singing while a team of exceptional musicians back her up.


Toomey is often recognized for her song writing, but her voice is of equal distinction and Tempting proves this without question. Fittingly, the standout track amongst many standouts is the title-cut; Toomey croons with a smoky weariness that complements the cocktail bar-isms of the piano driven ballad. An edge pervades in her singing on this song that creeps and seduces like the tense strings swirling and building beneath. “Your Inarticulate Boyfriend” is an arresting opener; Toomey swaggers with affectionate digs at the title-character who “can barely form a compound sentence” as if she was singing to a captive audience in some south of the border cantina; a Latin musical backdrop struts with a shared tilt to the hips. By the time one gets to the bouncy swing number “Let’s Stay In”, Tempting begins to feel like a Broadway show with multiple personalities, but it’s a welcomed madness. The dark “Masonic Eye” is where the madness is most audible; a childlike Toomey floats over suspended, icy strings and an experimental cacophony of banjolin, thunder drum and toy piano. In contrast is the very accessible final track, “Every Little Bit Hurts”, in which Toomey belts out a chorus that could land her on top-forty radio if she doesn’t watch out.


Although Toomey didn’t pick up her guitar this time around, she did take part in arrangement and co-produced the album. Due to this Tempting sounds like a natural follow-up to her first solo album, Antidote. Actually, if a listener didn’t know these were “the songs of Franklin Bruno”, they could very well mistake the songs for Jenny Toomey compositions. A singer/song-writer who made his mark with such indi-outings as Etudes for Voice and Smackmaster Shrimper, Franklin Bruno’s jaded wit and careful crafting of melodies isn’t a far cry from Toomey’s own work. Nonetheless, hearing new material written by a woman as clever and accomplished as Jenny Toomey would certainly be a treat. In the meantime, Tempting is a filling brunch with enough margaritas poured to intoxicate fans.