Ingrid Michaelson Girls And Boys LP

A New York-based indie-pop singer-songwriter, Ingrid Michaelson is known for being an independent artist and never signing to a major record label, despite achieving a large amount of popularity. In 2006, Michaelson independently put out her second album, Girls and Boys. The album, like her previous music, was streamed on Myspace. A music producer from the ABC Drama Grey's Anatomy found her music online. After being contacted by the music producer, Michaelson began to be approached by several record companies. Wanting to retain all of the rights she had as an independent artist, Michaelson developed a deal with Original Signal Recordings, acting as the marketing and distribution arm for Michaelson's label. Through Original Signal, Michaelson re-released Girls and Boys into mainstream marketing on September 18, 2007. It peaked at #63 on The Billboard charts and received positive reviews from critics.

"Girls and Boys is a rare treat -- an album created without the constraints of a label or the demands of modern radio, yet wholly able to woo both. Michaelson clearly favors well-crafted pop melodies, but she ornaments these hooks with fractured instrumentation, shifting between time signatures during the chorus of 'Masochist' and allowing guitars to drop out mid-song in 'Die Alone.' When she saunters into full-fledged coffeehouse mode with 'The Way I Am,' she subverts the song's Norah Jones-styled progression by adding handclaps, echoing harmonies, and quirky lyrics. 'I'd buy you Rogaine when you start losing all your hair,' Michaelson croons with a hint of vibrato, making the sentiment sweet instead of condemning. Brainy turns of phrase pepper the rest of the album...Girls and Boys ultimately remains true to its title, examining the relationships between both titular characters without delving into too many grown-up issues... these well-voiced love songs leave little room for complaint." - Andrew Leahey, allmusic.com