Sally Seltmann shouldn’t really need an introduction, but here it is. You know that song in the iPod commercial that we all looked up and downloaded immediately? The one by Feist called “1,2,3,4”? Sally Seltmann co-wrote it. But the awesomeness of that song really pales in comparison to Sally Seltmann’s first debut album under her own name, Heart That’s Pounding.Now, that’s my introduction and that’s all I am going to say before I jump right into the forty-eight minute sonic journey of joy that is Heart That’s Pounding.

Heart That’s Pounding will be available on April 6th!

“HARMONY TO MY HEARTBEAT”
Immediately, I noticed Sally’s angelic voice. The prominent British Australian (whoops) accent makes it sound even more beautiful for some reason. There is a very nice, subtle beat that lets her voice and the rich piano shine. Something that I found in this song that continues throughout the rest of the album is very inspiring lyrics. Sally uses her voice as a backing instrument, intertwining harmonies with the rest of the music. She just might end my odd long running aversion to female singers. No, I don’t have any clue why most girl singers make me want to turn off whatever is playing. Yes, I know why Sally Seltmann doesn’t have that effect: well, it’s probably because her voice is amazing? Just a guess.

“SET ME FREE”
I love the piano driven melody. For some reason this feels reminiscent of Queen. It’s a very lighthearted song and I can definitely imagine this playing during 1970s movie summers filled with bike rides and lemonade. Oh, hand claps, how I love thee. During the chorus, a lot of the instruments sound like it could have been part of “Singing In The Rain.”

“ON THE BORDERLINE”
A very upbeat yet sad beginning. This song contains some words of wisdom that everyone could do well to follow. If it weren’t for the lyrics I wouldn’t like this song…musically it is forgettable, lyrically it is brilliant and I just can’t help but sing along. “Get yourself up, get yourself out of bed, this is a new day, this a new day today” Who hasn’t needed to give themselves that pep talk? Sally takes something that everyone goes through and says it so simply and beautifully.

“BOOK SONG”
The introduction of this song sounds like an instrumental backing piece in an indie movie. This is probably my least favorite and least interesting song on the album. I’ll just leave you to listen to it on your own.

“DREAM ABOUT CHANGING”
This is certainly a standout track. It’s my favorite so far and it will be a great song to sing and clap along to live. Lovely steady beat made by both drums and clapping, making this song one of the most energetic on the album. I wish there were more songs like this on the album but I guess the rarity makes it even more special.

“HEART THAT’S POUNDING”
Not the song I would have chosen as a title track. It’s very slow but has a nice piano melody. I like the verses a lot more than the chorus of this song, but“what’s the use in loving if you’re not loving like you think you’re gonna die if you don’t see a loved one?” is a brilliant part of the lyrics that really make me like this song. This song gets more and more theatrical sounding as it goes on, which is really cool to hear.

“I TOSSED A COIN”
One of the most beautiful vocal melodies on the album! “I wear my heart on my sleeve, I used to lose it on the breeze,” I love this song. This is my favorite slower song on the album and the vocals just could not be more beautiful and vulnerable sounding.“Shoo-be-doo-bop,” I feel like I’m at a Sadie Hawkins dance from the 50s, or at the very least, watching an episode of Cold Case having to do with one of the dances.

“HAPPY”
I’m not really liking the sound of the keyboard sound on this one, but I do like the melody. This song is a great example of how Sally uses her voice as a backing instrument as well. I don’t like the pauses as the chorus approaches. I love the ending, though, “I just want to be happy,” is such a haunting part of the song.

“THE TRUTH”
This is also sort of forgettable so I will just leave you to it as well.

“SENTIMENTAL SEEKER”
I don’t like the piano sound on this song, but it has a very pleasant melody. I feel like the verses are a little bit long, but I really like the “sentimental seeker” vocals and the way they work with that part of the song, and that part also has some lovely harmonies.

“5 STARS”
Almost makes me want to give this album 5 pluses, just to work with the name of this song…subliminal song naming? Once again, I love the way the piano and Sally’s vocals work together, and it’s another great example of how Sally uses her voice for so much more than simply singing. There are some male harmonies on this song that add another layer that I wasn’t expecting but was pleasantly surprised about.

“DARK BLUE ANGEL”
I love the acoustic guitar sound of the beginning, and I love how this is a guitar driven melody that still incorporates beautiful piano. This song is the perfect ending because it has a lot of elements from the songs that came before it, but maintains its own sound. This is a close runner-up for best track, except that the synth toward the end is completely unnecessary. I still love the male harmonies, and this song makes me wish Sally Seltmann had released two albums at once.

BASICALLY: Sally Seltmann has the voice of an angel and the music to keep it modern and interesting.
BEST TRACK: “Dream About Changing” or “I Tossed A Coin.”