BWW CD Review: MURDER BALLAD (The New Recording) Tells an Enticing Story With Its Electrifying Score

Conceived and written by Julia Jordan, Murder Ballad is the story of a twisted love triangle. Scored by rock singer Juliana Nash, Murder Ballad is an electrifying story that captivates audiences through perfectly executed songs.

Karen Olivo (In the Heights) is heard on the recording as Sara, an upper west-sider with a dark past. She lives an extravagant life with her picture perfect husband Michael (John Ellison Conlee) and daughter. When the demons from her past return in the form of her ex-boyfriend Tom (Will Swenson), Sara has to decide where she belongs. It sounds a little bit more like a thriller movie than a musical correct?

Well, the show is unquestionably thrilling. The show's plot is one that twists and turns through song. The show is sung-through and equipped with a narrator that has a voice so soulful, that you can't help but be wrapped in the story that she is telling. Rebecca Naomi Jones as the narrator sings with a rawness that entrances listeners. In her 11 numbers, Jones tells the story of Tom, Michael, and Sara, taking the audience on a wild ride. If you were to close your eyes and listen, the recording acts as a musical audiobook. One could follow the story with ease and get lost in the interwoven lives of these four characters.

The tumultuous story is reflected in the cast recording as the tracks are perfectly constructed to tell the tale. The score is perfectly constructed as the lyrics provide exceptional visuals. The performances of Olivo, Swenson and Conlee are phenomenal as you can hear their passion and emotions conveyed.

The actors channel their characters vocally in a way that is spellbinding. You can hear personality and feeling in each and every number. You can hear the flirtatious nature of Sara and conservative nature of Michael in "Little By Little, and the sexual tension in "Mouth Tattoo."

The upbeat music of the recording is enthralling, and appropriately shows resemblance to Larson's music style in Rent. The music is entrancing; the story is told through an innovative modern sound that listeners will become obsessed with.

Swenson (Hair, Priscilla Queen of the Desert) is rugged and masculine in the role of Tom, and his harsh rock sound makes Tom charismatic and dangerous. He excels in numbers like "Sara," and "My Name."

Olivo, who is on hiatus from the theatre business, makes you hope she doesn't leave for too long. Her vocal range is evident on the album as she displays passion in "You Belong To Me," and anger in "Answer Me." Both Olivo and Swenson can be heard on the latter two numbers. Their chemistry is distinct and enthralling.

In "Answer Me," Sara finds herself stuck between the two men who represent her two lives. You can hear Sara's tension and fear as she is torn between her two lives represented by Tom and Michael. Olivo belts, riffs, and owns the number that leaves her character the most exposed.

The recordings finale sounds like a number out of a rock concert, providing commentary on humans' violent nature. The number is raw, exciting, and is an appropriate conclusion to the recording.

Yellow Sound Label's World Premiere Cast Recording of Murder Ballad currently available for purchase on iTunes, Amazon, and other places music is sold.

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