BWW CD Review: Megan Hilty's 'It Happens All the Time'

After teasing us with two exclusive track releases, Megan Hilty released her first solo album 'It Happens all the Time' on March 12.

The two tracks released prior to the record, "No Cure" and "Be a Man About It," were something to be excited about. The album has lived up to that excitement. Both tracks showcased Hilty's strong vocals, and gave us a good insight on what we could expect from the album. The tracks had a soft jazz feel that is different from the big showstoppers Hilty has performed on the stage and on television.

She's been Glinda the Good Witch, Marilyn Monroe, and Ivy Lynn, but this album is simply Megan stripped down. This is the first time Hilty has done something solo that wasn't attached to a character, which makes this record much more special.

While many are used to Hilty's belting out show stopping musical numbers, they will not be let down by the album's tracks being quite the opposite. While Hilty sings with the same power and passion that would go into a showstopper, it is channeled in a different way. She sings with passion and power, but channels it into conveying feeling rather than holding long belt notes.

The album is not flashy nor what you would expect from a solo album. The album is not "Hilty sings Broadway," nor a pop album.

The tracks on the album are predominantly slow. Perez Hilton called the track "No Cure" honest and soul bearing, and that rings true for all the tracks on the album. The tracks are not overproduced; in fact they are quite modest for someone with a powerful voice like Hilty.

"Be A Man" and "No Cure" are tracks that you will listen to over and over again, mesmerized by her passion and original sound. "Be a Man" will make you want to belt, and "No Cure" is raw and emotional.

The title song "It Happens All the Time," written by Glen Ballard and Spring Awakening alum Lauren Pritchard, is another stand out track.The lyrics tell the standard boy meets girl story that most will be able to understand and relate too.

Hilty's fans will appreciate that the tracks on the album are true to the artist. Hilty is reflected in her tracks, this is clear in the feeling she conveys in her sound. Hilty's shift in Broadway is evident in this album that has showed her ability to create a sound that is her own.

Hilty also put her unique soulful spin on popular alternative-pop singles like Switchfoot's "Dare You To Move" and Damien Rice's "The Blower's Daughter." In fact, the whole second half of her album is covers, but of songs you wouldn't expect from a Broadway star. There is no "Send in the Clowns," or "Not While I'm Around."

Hilty's album features tracks written by talented and experienced songwriters including Carrie Underwood, Neyo, and Damien Rice.

'It Happens all the Time' is currently available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon.

Brittany is a second year journalism student at Ryerson. She spends her time reading, writing, and watching BBC. She strives to be a theatre journalism and expand her knowledge of theatre, literature, and television production. She may live in Toronto, but her heart is in NYC.

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